Senior Principal Director, Agentic Research and Development

RBC; Toronto; On-site; CAD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading financial institution in Toronto is seeking a Sr Director of Agentic AI R&D to drive AI initiatives. The role involves leading a team, managing AI projects, and collaborating with cross-functional teams. Ideal candidates have 10+ years in AI development and strong DevOps expertise. This position offers flexible work arrangements and competitive compensation.

Benefits

Comprehensive Total Rewards Program with bonuses

Flexible work/life balance options

World-class training program in financial services

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in AI research and development, focused on agentic AI and process automation.
• Strong understanding of DevOps principles and practices.
• 5+ years of experience in a leadership role, proven track record of building and managing high-performing teams.
• Knowledge of security and compliance principles, ensuring AI agents meet security and regulatory requirements.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, and deployment of AI-powered agents.
• Build and manage a high-performing team of AI researchers and engineers.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to integrate AI capabilities into products.
• Develop and execute a strategic roadmap for AI strategy.

Skills

Big Data Analytics

Client Counseling

Coaching Others

Critical Thinking

Decision Making

Industry Knowledge

Machine Learning

Results-Oriented

Software Engineering

Software Product Design

Education

Master’s or Ph.D. in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, or related field

Tools

AI frameworks and tools

Agile development methodologies

Version control systems (e.g., Git)

Job description

Job Description

What is the Opportunity?

The Sr Director of Agentic AI R&D will lead the development and implementation of cutting-edge Agentic AI initiatives, driving innovation and growth within the DevOps & T&O organization. This leader will oversee a team of engineers, fostering a culture of collaboration and experimentation to advance the company's AI capabilities. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in AI, a deep understanding of DevOps principles, and exceptional leadership skills.

What will you do?

• Leading the design, development, and deployment of AI-powered agents to automate processes and enhance DevOps efficiency

• Building and managing a high-performing team of AI researchers and engineers, providing guidance and mentorship to ensure their success

• Collaborating with cross-functional teams, including engineering, product, and design, to integrate AI capabilities into existing products and services

• Developing and executing a strategic roadmap for AI strategy, aligning with the company's overall business objectives and goals

• Staying up to date with the latest advancements in AI research, identifying opportunities for innovation and growth, and applying this knowledge to drive business outcomes

• Fostering a culture of innovation, experimentation, and continuous learning, encouraging the team to push the boundaries of what is possible with AI

• Managing budgets, resources, and timelines to ensure successful project delivery and ROI on AI research initiatives

• Ensuring the development of scalable, secure, and reliable AI-powered agents that meet the company's process automation needs

• Working closely with stakeholders to identify areas for process automation and ensuring that AI-powered agents are effectively integrated into existing workflows

• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams

• Strong business acumen, with the ability to drive business outcomes and measure ROI on AI research initiatives

What do you need to succeed?

Must Have:

• 10+ years of experience in AI research and development, with a focus on agentic AI and process automation

• Strong understanding of DevOps principles and practices

• 5+ years of experience in a leadership role, with a proven track record of building and managing high-performing teams

• Experience with AI frameworks and tools

• Experience with agile development methodologies and version control systems, such as Git

• Knowledge of security and compliance principles, with the ability to ensure that AI-powered agents meet the company's security and regulatory requirements

Nice to Have:

• Master’s or Ph.D. in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, or a related field

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, commissions, and stock where applicable

• Leaders who support your development through coaching and managing opportunities

• Ability to make a difference and lasting impact

• Work in a dynamic, collaborative, progressive, and high-performing team

• A world-class training program in financial services

• Flexible work/life balance options

• Opportunities to do challenging work

• Opportunities to take on progressively greater accountabilities

• Opportunities to building close relationships with clients

#LI-POST

#TECHPJ

Job Skills

Big Data Analytics, Client Counseling, Coaching Others, Critical Thinking, Decision Making, Industry Knowledge, Machine Learning, Results-Oriented, Software Engineering, Software Product Design

Additional Job Details

Address:

RBC WATERPARK PLACE, 88 QUEENS QUAY W:TORONTO

City:

Toronto

Country:

Canada

Work hours/week:

37.5

Employment Type:

Full time

Platform:

TECHNOLOGY AND OPERATIONS

Job Type:

Regular

Pay Type:

Salaried

Posted Date:

2025-08-01

Application Deadline:

2025-09-02

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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