Lead Project Manager AI, Strategic Initiatives & Transformation

WHAT IS THE OPPORTUNITY?

The Lead Project Manager AI, Strategic Initiatives & Transformation is a senior execution and coordination role within the AI Architecture, Tools & Innovation team, reporting to the Director AI, Strategic Initiatives & Transformation. This individual is responsible for leading the end-to-end delivery of complex, high-priority AI transformation projects while also providing guidance, mentorship, and oversight to junior project managers on the team. The Lead Project Manager serves as a senior point of accountability across the portfolio, ensuring that individual initiatives are rigorously planned, tracked, and supported for successful organizational adoption. In addition to direct project ownership, this role contributes to the continuous improvement of the team’s project management methodology, governance standards, and operating model. The role spans project leadership, change enablement, vendor coordination, financial tracking, and team capability development across the AI Group’s strategic agenda.

WHAT WILL YOU DO?

Project Planning & Delivery

• Lead the full project lifecycle for complex, high-priority AI transformation initiatives, from project charter and kick-off through execution, testing, go-live, and formal close-out; serve as the senior delivery accountable on assigned projects.

• Develop and maintain detailed project plans, including task-level schedules, milestone timelines, dependency maps, and resource assignments.

• Facilitate project governance rhythms: stand-ups, steering committee updates, working sessions, and retrospectives — preparing agendas, capturing decisions, and distributing action items.

• Maintain and enforce RAID log (Risks, Assumptions, Issues, Dependencies) standards across the portfolio; proactively surface blockers to the Director with recommended mitigations and coach junior PMs on effective risk management practices.

• Produce clear, concise status reports and executive summaries that communicate project health, upcoming milestones, and key decisions required.

• Ensure project documentation is complete, organized, and accessible — including requirements, design decisions, test plans, and lessons learned.

Change Management & Stakeholder Enablement

• Conduct stakeholder impact assessments for assigned projects; develop communication and engagement plans tailored to each affected audience.

• Coordinate the development and delivery of training materials, job aids, FAQs, and user guides in partnership with HR and business line contacts.

• Lead the identification and activation of change champion networks within impacted business areas; serve as a senior advisor to stakeholders navigating organizational change.

• Track and report on adoption indicators post-launch, including usage data, training completion rates, and feedback from end users.

• Ensure impacted teams are informed, prepared, and supported well in advance of project go-live dates.

Vendor Coordination & Financial Tracking

• Coordinate day-to-day interactions with AI vendors and service partners on assigned projects — tracking deliverables, timelines, and issue resolution.

• Support vendor onboarding processes including documentation requirements, procurement coordination, and contract milestone tracking.

• Maintain project budgets: track actuals against approved spend, flag variances to the Director, and assist with forecast updates and financial reporting.

• Process and reconcile vendor invoices; maintain accurate records of project-related expenditures for audit and reporting purposes.

Strategic Initiatives Support

• Lead the development of business cases, briefing materials, and presentation decks for AI initiatives under the Director’s purview; provide senior-level input and analytical depth.

• Lead the preparation of materials for executive forums, leadership reviews, and Board-level updates related to the AI transformation agenda; represent the team’s work at senior levels when required.

• Own and continuously improve the AI Group’s operating model documentation, project intake processes, and initiative tracking dashboards; establish standards adopted across the team.

• Champion process improvement across the project management function; design and implement enhancements to team-wide practices and mentor junior PMs in adopting best-in-class delivery standards.

WHAT DO YOU NEED TO SUCCEED?

Must have:

• 7–10 years of experience in project management or strategic initiatives delivery, preferably within financial services or a regulated industry, including experience in a senior or lead capacity.

• Demonstrated track record of managing cross-functional projects involving technology, data, or organizational change.

• Solid understanding of project management fundamentals — scope management, scheduling, risk tracking, and stakeholder communication.

• Experience with project management tools such as Jira, Smartsheet, MS Project, or equivalent.

• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office (PowerPoint, Excel, Word); ability to produce polished executive-ready materials.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with an ability to summarize complex topics clearly for varied audiences.

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Information Systems, Engineering, or a related field.

Nice-to-have: 

• PMP certification or active pursuit of certification.

• Exposure to change management frameworks (e.g., Prosci ADKAR) and hands-on experience supporting adoption activities.

• Prior experience on AI, machine learning, or data transformation projects.

• Familiarity with agile delivery practices (Scrum, Kanban) in a corporate or regulated environment.

• Experience tracking project financials, vendor invoicing, or procurement workflows.

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

Job Skills

Business Oriented, Communication, Group Problem Solving, Long Term Planning, Meeting Management, Organizational Change Management, Resource Coordination, Results-Oriented, Time Management, Waterfall Model

Additional Job Details

RBC WATERPARK PLACE, 88 QUEENS QUAY W:TORONTOTorontoCanada37.5Full timeTECHNOLOGY AND OPERATIONSRegularSalaried2026-06-192026-07-19

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.

RBC is presently inviting candidates to apply for this existing vacancy. Applying to this posting allows you to express your interest in this current career opportunity at RBC. Qualified applicants may be contacted to review their resume in more detail.