Senior Manager, HR Operational Excellence – Operational Risk & Regulatory Initiatives

RBC • Toronto, ON

8d • Hybrid

About The Position

The HR Operational Excellence team plays a critical role in strengthening RBC’s HR operations through robust operational risk and regulatory compliance management. Reporting to the Director, Operational Excellence, you will serve as a trusted strategic advisor and subject matter expert, enabling HR’s first line of defense (1LOD) to operationalize regulatory requirements effectively and remediate control gaps with confidence. Your role is central to realizing our risk management aspirations: building robust enablement for HR leaders and employees, proactively identifying and preventing risk and control issues, and establishing mature risk management routines that drive accountability. You will enable 1LOD HR teams to embed risk ownership into their day-to-day operations and leadership mandates, partner with the HR Operational Risk Management team to design sustainable risk remediation programs, and work alongside the HR PMO to align initiatives within the HR project portfolio. As a hybrid Toronto-based role requiring 4 days in the office, you will have the opportunity to influence HR operations across RBC while fostering a culture of regulatory excellence and operational discipline.

Requirements

• 7-10+ years of relevant experience in operational risk management, compliance, HR operations, or internal audit/assurance roles.
• Demonstrated expertise across regulatory compliance frameworks, control design and effectiveness assessment, and risk remediation program management.
• Strong familiarity with control identification, documentation, and design principles; knowledge of the COSO Internal Control Framework and ability to apply control standards and best practices to HR operational contexts.
• Strong knowledge of HR operational risks, regulatory requirements impacting HR functions, and control governance best practices.
• Proven ability to partner effectively across business and risk functions; track record of building relationships and driving alignment on complex, cross-functional initiatives.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills; ability to assess risk landscapes, identify control gaps, and develop sustainable remediation strategies grounded in risk appetite frameworks.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills; ability to translate complex compliance and risk concepts into clear, actionable insights for diverse audiences, from operational teams to senior leadership.
• Experience with risk management systems, compliance monitoring tools, and project management disciplines; proficiency with MS Office, SharePoint, and data analysis/visualization tools.
• Ability to work in a matrix environment, manage multiple competing priorities, and deliver high-quality results within strict deadlines.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience in business, compliance, risk management, or HR operations.

Nice To Haves

• Professional certifications in risk management or compliance.
• Direct experience with FCOP or similar enterprise-wide compliance remediation programs.
• Familiarity with HR systems or HR service delivery models.
• Knowledge of Canadian, US, and/or European regulatory requirements and compliance obligations impacting HR functions (e.g., employment standards, compensation governance, data privacy).
• Experience with change management or organizational transformation initiatives.
• Advanced proficiency with risk management platforms (Archer) or business intelligence tools (Tableau, Power BI).

Responsibilities

• Enable and advise 1LOD HR teams to embed risk and control ownership into their day-to-day operations and leadership mandates; translate regulatory requirements into actionable frameworks and provide subject matter expertise to ensure effective execution and timely remediation of identified control gaps.
• Drive proactive identification, resolution, and governance of operational risk and control issues; partner with the HR Operational Risk Management team to design sustainable remediation programs with clear ownership and accountability structures.
• Develop and advance risk management routines, reporting practices, and control improvement strategies that drive measurable improvement in HR’s operational risk profile.
• Manage Functions Compliance Oversight Program (FCOP) legacy remediation work; assess outstanding issues, prioritize remediation activities, and ensure closure aligned with regulatory timelines and quality standards.
• Establish and maintain compliance monitoring dashboards, metrics, and reporting tools; communicate risk and compliance status to senior leadership and governance forums with clear, actionable insights that drive shared risk accountability.
• Collaborate with the HR PMO to align operational risk, regulatory, and remediation initiatives within the broader HR project portfolio; ensure program interdependencies are managed and strategic priorities are sequenced to support HR’s transformational objectives.
• Champion continuous improvement and control enhancement initiatives; identify process improvements, control automation opportunities, and efficiency gains that strengthen HR’s risk management practices.
• Build and sustain relationships across HR operations, business functions, and risk governance teams; foster a collaborative environment that prioritizes regulatory excellence, operational discipline, and strong risk ownership aligned with RBC’s risk appetite.

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.
• Opportunities to do challenging work.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior