Director, Tech and Innovation Policy Lead

RBC; Toronto; On-site; CAD 140,000 - 220,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus program

Professional development

Dynamic team environment

Challenging projects

Flexible work-life balance

Job summary

RBC is seeking a senior Thought Leadership role to lead AI policy development and tech research for Canada. You will engage industry groups, governments and clients to provide strategic guidance, briefing materials and insights on AI opportunities, trends and regulatory issues.

As a trusted adviser and public speaker, you will represent RBC at conferences and industry events, source ideas for RBC Disruptors, and collaborate with internal teams to shape policy and communications strategies.

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years of experience in tech policy development, technology innovation, or related areas.
• In-depth understanding of AI, tech disruption, regulations, policy issues.
• Strong skills and experience building and maintaining relationships with external stakeholders.
• Ability to work across multiple internal teams and seek alignment across key priorities.
• Highly adaptable with the ability to prioritize competing requests in a fast-paced environment.
• Able to embrace change and to demonstrate diplomacy, professionalism and a positive attitude.
• Digital and social media savvy, with a strong grasp on the evolving digital media trends.
• Ability to confidently provide strategic guidance to senior leaders and educate and influence others on communications best practices.

Responsibilities

• Lead tech research, policy analysis and insights by engaging industry groups, governments, clients and other key stakeholders.
• Provide strategic guidance and briefing material on AI/technology-related opportunities, trends, regulation, Canada’s competitiveness, risks, emerging technology etc.
• Serve as a thought leader on AI policy matters at conferences, seminars, and industry events.
• Source new ideas and guests for the RBC Disruptors podcast.
• Leverage partnerships and in-house events to engage key stakeholders.
• Stay abreast of emerging AI technologies, trends, and regulations to anticipate potential impacts on business operations.
• Work strategically with key internal RBC partners and collaborate with cross functional teams.

Skills

AI policy

Stakeholder engagement

Relationship building

Cross-functional leadership

Policy analysis

Strategic guidance

Public speaking

Diplomacy

Digital media savvy

Thought leadership

Education

MBA or master’s in public policy/technology/innovation

Master’s degree in public policy, technology or innovation

Job description

What is the opportunity

RBC Thought Leadership aims to catalyze a more ambitious Canadian approach to AI and disruptive technologies by harnessing ideas, insights and data to help RBC clients and communities understand the forces shaping the world around us.

Job Description

Our team of researchers and strategists deliver economic analyses, comprehensive reports and conversations with world-leading thinkers that inspire and empower informed decisions in a fast-moving and evolving world.

We aim to inform, engage and inspire action via the following channels:

• In-depth research reports on innovation and technology, geopolitical shifts, energy and climate change, human capital and other key topics
• Timely analysis and forecasts of the economy and financial markets
• Daily and monthly newsletters on climate change, housing trends geopolitical shifts
• An ongoing series of conversations via roundtables, breakfasts and other forum events with leading thinkers about reimagining Canada’s economy
• An award-winning tech and innovation Podcast that has surpassed 2 million downloads and consistently charts in the top 10 for business and tech

What will you do

• Lead tech research, policy analysis and insights by engaging, industry groups, governments, clients and other key stakeholders
• Provide strategic guidance and briefing material on AI/technology-related opportunities, trends, regulation, Canada’s competitiveness, risks, emerging technology etc.
• Serve as a thought leader on AI policy matters at conferences, seminars, and industry events.
• Source new ideas and guests for the RBC Disruptors podcast.
• Leverage partnerships and in-house events to engage key stakeholders
• Stay abreast of emerging AI technologies, trends, and regulations to anticipate potential impacts on business operations
• Work strategically with key internal RBC partners and collaborate with cross functional teams

What do you need to succeed: Must-have

• Minimum 10 years of experience in tech policy development, technology innovation, or related areas
• In depth understanding of AI, tech disruption, regulations, policy issues
• Strong skills and experience building and maintaining relationships with external stakeholders
• Ability to work across multiple internal teams and seek alignment across key priorities
• Highly adaptable with the ability to prioritize competing requests in a fast-paced environment
• Able to embrace change and to demonstrate diplomacy, professionalism and a positive attitude
• Digital and social media savvy, with a strong grasp on the evolving digital media trends
• Ability to confidently provide strategic guidance to senior leaders and possess the ability to educate and influence others on communications best practices.

Nice-to-have

• MBA or master’s degree in public policy, technology or innovation
• Consulting experience
• Ability to meet consistently high standards of quality while handling a variety of projects and deadlines simultaneously

What’s in it for you

We thrive on the challenge to be our best, progressive thinking to keep growing, and working together to deliver trusted advice to help our clients thrive and communities prosper. We care about each other, reaching our potential, making a difference to our communities, and achieving success that is mutual.

• A comprehensive Total Rewards Program including bonuses and flexible benefits, competitive compensation
• Leaders who support your development through coaching and managing opportunities
• Work in a dynamic, collaborative, progressive, and high-performing team
• Opportunities to do challenging work
• Flexible work/life balance options

Job Skills

Budgeting, Business Analytics, Business Process Design, Conflict Management, Effectiveness Measurement, Group Problem Solving, Industry Knowledge, Interpersonal Relationships, Oral Communications, Research and Development Operations

Additional Job Details

Address: ROYAL BANK PLAZA, 200 BAY ST:TORONTO

City: Toronto

Country: Canada

Work hours/week: 37.5

Employment Type: Full time

Platform: OFFICE OF THE CEO

Job Type: Regular

Pay Type: Salaried

Posted Date: 2026-04-08

Application Deadline: 2026-08-21

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

Our Employment Opportunities

At RBC, we are guided by living shared values of Client First, Integrity, Collaboration, Respect and Excellence and winning together as One 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.