Director, Sustainability Policy & Advisory

RBC; Toronto; On-site; CAD 125,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading Canadian bank in Toronto is seeking a Sustainability Advisor to lead sustainability reporting and advisory services. The role requires a Chartered Professional Accountant with over 7 years of relevant experience, strong analytical skills, and the ability to communicate effectively across the Bank. You will work in a collaborative environment, focusing on developing sustainability policies and supporting strategic initiatives for the organization.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of relevant work experience required.
• Ability to communicate effectively to executives.
• Strong understanding of sustainability regulatory disclosure requirements is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead sustainability advisory services to internal stakeholders.
• Develop and maintain corporate sustainability policies.
• Establish processes to gap assess sustainability disclosures.

Skills

Accounting

Financial Reporting and Analysis

Compliance

Analytical Skills

Problem-solving

Education

Chartered Professional Accountant designation

Job description

Job Description

What is the opportunity?

For forward-thinking and results-focused leaders, this is an opportunity to join the Enterprise Finance & Controllership team of Canada’s largest company, frequently ranked as one of the top companies to work for in Canada. RBC is internationally recognized for its commitment to innovation, diversity, customer satisfaction and corporate social responsibility. We care about each other, reaching our potential, making a difference to our communities, and achieving success that is mutual.

The Enterprise Finance & Controllership function serves a critical role in telling the story of RBC’s financial results to the public through the quarterly and annual Report to Shareholders, providing advice on complex accounting issues through a strategic lens, maintaining strong financial reporting internal controls and data governance practices, and enabling strategic planning, forecasting, and management of financial performance to meet the Bank’s overall financial objectives. As part of the Enterprise Finance & Controllership group in our Toronto office, you will be part of a collaborative team culture that strives to challenge ourselves to be our best, think progressively to keep growing, and work together to deliver collective results.

This role will help advance priority sustainability initiatives across the bank, including supporting the evolution of a sustainability policy and advisory function and preparing for future sustainability disclosure regulations and standards. This role also helps shape RBC’s sustainability disclosure strategy, and through close collaboration with partners in Finance, Strategy, Law, Risk Management, Communications, Investor Relations and Human Resources, helps in preparing and delivering RBC’s core sustainability report. You will work in a dynamic environment that provides the opportunity to bring your unique perspective and approach to the role, including adapting the role to address evolving Finance priorities and operating models.

This is a high-profile leadership role and is an ideal position from which to develop an understanding of the sustainability matters that impact RBC, build technical and leadership skills, and develop strong relationships across the Bank. You would be a great match for this role if you have experience in accounting policy development, disclosure gap assessments, preparation and review of financial disclosures, navigating, interpreting, and implementing new and complex accounting standards involving a variety of stakeholders, and familiarity with sustainability reporting frameworks and regulations. You might describe yourself as a self-starter, are able to investigate issues in detail, step back and understand the business and risk lens at a bird’s eye view, and effectively communicate difficult concepts to senior executives.

What will you do?

• Lead the review and provide sustainability advisory services to internal stakeholders across RBC by advising on complex sustainability issues, including special projects, and working with key stakeholders to ensure conclusions are consistent with our corporate sustainability policies
• Develop and maintain RBC’s corporate sustainability policies in accordance with relevant standards / regulations
• Help shape RBC’s external sustainability disclosure strategy and deliver best–in-class disclosures through effective partnering with key stakeholders, industry research and benchmarking, and identification of emerging disclosure trends
• Establish processes to gap assess RBC’s current sustainability disclosures against future sustainability reporting requirements, including developing and setting expectations with various content owners/contributors across the Bank
• Assist in the preparation and delivery of RBC’s core sustainability reporting, including providing effective challenge over sections to support the accuracy and quality of sustainability disclosures
• Lead the design and implementation of project plans, timelines, and accountabilities for implementation of future sustainability reporting standards, regulations and other initiatives
• Monitor and keep abreast of relevant developments and guidance from key bodies, including the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB), Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI), and the European Union (Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive)
• Develop strong business partner relationships to foster greater understanding of key disclosure standards and emerging methodologies
• Shape future sustainability-related disclosure requirements by supporting advocacy efforts on developments impacting RBC’s sustainability-related disclosures
• Liaise with industry peers on sustainability disclosure matters as needed through industry associations (e.g., Canadian Bankers Association)
• Assist in the preparation of sustainability-related materials for senior executives, our CFO, and the Board/Audit Committee
• Liaise with the external and internal auditors on sustainability reporting policy issues and implementation of future standards, as needed
• Support strategic initiatives within the Chief Accountant’s Group and more broadly within the CFO Group
• Contribute to a collaborative, team-first environment and bring your unique perspective and curiosity to set ambitious goals, drive process improvements, and challenge the status quo

What do you need to succeed?

Must Have

• Chartered Professional Accountant designation
• 7+ years of relevant work experience
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate effectively to executives
• Strong analytical, organizational and problem-solving skills; including the ability to manage multiple priorities and lead independently, while knowing when to escalate and ask for support
• A proactive, pragmatic, and forward-thinking approach; including the ability to recommend practical solutions to complex challenges in a dynamic environment
• Curiosity to learn new ways to do things, willingness to challenge the status quo, and ability to drive process improvements and efficiencies
• Strong interpersonal skills; specifically, able to act as change agent, facilitator and collaborator in a cross-functional setting
• Self-starter – enthusiasm and willingness to learn to get up to speed and stay abreast of constantly evolving developments
• A “one team” mindset and willingness to support and contribute to broader Finance goals and objectives

Nice to Have

• Strong understanding of sustainability regulatory disclosure requirements and risk landscape
• Solid understanding of financial institutions
• Sustainability-related experience and/or familiarity with sustainability-related frameworks such as TCFD, ISSB, SASB, GRI, CSRD, ESRS, etc. is highly desirable

Job Skills

Accounting, Audits Compliance, Financial Accounting Systems, Financial Reporting and Analysis, General Ledger Administration, Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), Long Term Planning, Performance Management (PM), Tax Regulations

Additional Job Details

Address:

20 KING ST W:TORONTO

City:

Toronto

Country:

Canada

Work hours/week:

37.5

Employment Type:

Full time

Platform:

OFFICE OF THE CFO

Job Type:

Regular

Pay Type:

Salaried

Posted Date:

2025-08-01

Application Deadline:

2025-08-18

Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the day prior to the application deadline date above

Inclusion and Equal Opportunity Employment

At RBC, we believe an inclusive workplace that has diverse perspectives is core to our continued growth as one of the largest and most successful banks in the world. Maintaining a workplace where our employees feel supported to perform at their best, effectively collaborate, drive innovation, and grow professionally helps to bring our Purpose to life and create value for our clients and communities. RBC strives to deliver this through policies and programs intended to foster a workplace based on respect, belonging and opportunity for all.

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Expand your limits and create a new future together at RBC. Find out how we use our passion and drive to enhance the well-being of our clients and communities at jobs.rbc.com.