Associate Director, Program Manager - AI/ML

RBC

1d

About The Position

What is the opportunity? This role is for a highly experienced and strategic IT Program Manager focused specifically on the execution and scaling of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) initiatives across the enterprise. The ideal candidate will bridge the gap between technical AI/ML teams, business stakeholders, and IT infrastructure, ensuring that complex AI programs deliver maximum business value on time and within budget. What will you do? Portfolio Management: Manage the entire lifecycle of the AI program portfolio, including prioritization, resource allocation, and dependencies across various business units and technical teams (Data Science, Data Engineering, MLOps, Security, Infrastructure). Risk Management: Proactively identify, assess, and mitigate technical, ethical, and operational risks unique to AI deployments (e.g., model drift, data bias, integration complexity). Establish Governance: Implement a robust governance framework tailored for AI/ML development, focusing on experimentation, reproducibility, and the transition of models from research to production (MLOps). Roadmap Management: Create and maintain a consolidated program roadmap, tracking key milestones related to model development, data pipeline readiness, infrastructure deployment, and business adoption. Stakeholder Alignment: Act as the primary point of contact for executive sponsors, translating complex AI technical concepts and program status into clear, business-relevant language. MLOps Coordination: Work closely with MLOps engineers to define and enforce standards for CI/CD pipelines, automated testing, model monitoring, and continuous retraining. Infrastructure Planning: Partner with IT Infrastructure teams to ensure the necessary computational resources (e.g., specialized GPUs, scalable data lakes, cloud environments) are provisioned and optimized for AI workloads. Ethical AI & Compliance: Ensure all AI models and programs adhere to internal ethical guidelines, data privacy regulations (e.g., GDPR, CCPA), and corporate security standards. What do you need to succeed? Must have Minimum of 10 years in IT Program Management with at least 3-5 years specifically managing programs related to Data Science, AI, or Machine Learning. Experience within financial services Bachelor’s degree in computer science, Engineering, Information Technology, or a related field. Master's degree preferred; certifications: PMP, PgMP, or equivalent program management certification required. Technical Acumen: Strong understanding of the core concepts of the AI/ML lifecycle, including: data preparation and feature engineering; common ML algorithms (e.g., deep learning, NLP); cloud platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure, GCP) and services related to AI (e.g., Sagemaker, Azure ML, Vertex AI). Agile/Scrum methodologies, adapted for data science workflows. Nice to have Project or Program Management within Capital Markets Exceptional Communication: Proven ability to communicate effectively with highly technical data scientists, business executives, and cross-functional teams. Strategic Thinking: Ability to see beyond individual projects and understand how AI initiatives align with long-term business goals. Influencing Skills: Demonstrated ability to influence decision-making without direct authority, particularly in matrix organizations. 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 Access to a variety of job opportunities across business and geographies 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 #LI-POST Job Skills Business Oriented, Communication, Decision Making, Long Term Planning, Organizational Change Management, Program Management, Resource Coordination, Results-Oriented, Team Management, Time Management Additional Job Details Address: 90 WESTERN PKY:BEDFORD City: Bedford Country: Canada Work hours/week: 37.5 Employment Type: Full time Platform: CAPITAL MARKETS Job Type: Regular Pay Type: Salaried Posted Date: 2026-01-23 Application Deadline: 2026-02-07 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. Join our Talent Community Stay in-the-know about great career opportunities at RBC. Sign up and get customized info on our latest jobs, career tips and Recruitment events that matter to you. 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. 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. Royal Bank of Canada is a global financial institution with a purpose-driven, principles-led approach to delivering leading performance. Our success comes from the 84,000+ employees who bring our vision, values and strategy to life so we can help our clients thrive and communities prosper. As Canada’s biggest bank, and one of the largest in the world based on market capitalization, we have a diversified business model with a focus on innovation and providing exceptional experiences to more than 16 million clients in Canada, the U.S. and 34 other countries. Learn more at rbc.com.‎ We are proud to support a broad range of community initiatives through donations, community investments and employee volunteer activities. See how at rbc.com/community-social-impact.

Requirements

• Minimum of 10 years in IT Program Management with at least 3-5 years specifically managing programs related to Data Science, AI, or Machine Learning.
• Experience within financial services
• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, Engineering, Information Technology, or a related field.
• Master's degree preferred; certifications: PMP, PgMP, or equivalent program management certification required.
• Technical Acumen: Strong understanding of the core concepts of the AI/ML lifecycle, including: data preparation and feature engineering; common ML algorithms (e.g., deep learning, NLP); cloud platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure, GCP) and services related to AI (e.g., Sagemaker, Azure ML, Vertex AI). Agile/Scrum methodologies, adapted for data science workflows.

Nice To Haves

• Project or Program Management within Capital Markets
• Exceptional Communication: Proven ability to communicate effectively with highly technical data scientists, business executives, and cross-functional teams.
• Strategic Thinking: Ability to see beyond individual projects and understand how AI initiatives align with long-term business goals.
• Influencing Skills: Demonstrated ability to influence decision-making without direct authority, particularly in matrix organizations.

Responsibilities

• Manage the entire lifecycle of the AI program portfolio, including prioritization, resource allocation, and dependencies across various business units and technical teams (Data Science, Data Engineering, MLOps, Security, Infrastructure).
• Proactively identify, assess, and mitigate technical, ethical, and operational risks unique to AI deployments (e.g., model drift, data bias, integration complexity).
• Implement a robust governance framework tailored for AI/ML development, focusing on experimentation, reproducibility, and the transition of models from research to production (MLOps).
• Create and maintain a consolidated program roadmap, tracking key milestones related to model development, data pipeline readiness, infrastructure deployment, and business adoption.
• Act as the primary point of contact for executive sponsors, translating complex AI technical concepts and program status into clear, business-relevant language.
• Work closely with MLOps engineers to define and enforce standards for CI/CD pipelines, automated testing, model monitoring, and continuous retraining.
• Partner with IT Infrastructure teams to ensure the necessary computational resources (e.g., specialized GPUs, scalable data lakes, cloud environments) are provisioned and optimized for AI workloads.
• Ensure all AI models and programs adhere to internal ethical guidelines, data privacy regulations (e.g., GDPR, CCPA), and corporate security standards.

Benefits

• 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
• Access to a variety of job opportunities across business and geographies

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees