Lead Project Manager AI, Strategic Initiatives & Transformation

RBC•Toronto, ON

3d•Onsite

About The Position

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.

Requirements

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 Haves

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.

Responsibilities

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.
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.
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.
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.

Benefits

A comprehensive Total Rewards Program including bonuses and flexible benefits
competitive compensation
commissions
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