Director, Sustainability Policy & Advisory

What is the opportunity

For forward-thinking and results-focused leaders this is an opportunity to join the Enterprise Finance & Controllership team of Canadas largest company frequently ranked as one of the top companies to work for in Canada. RBC is internationally recognized for its commitment to innovation diversity customer satisfaction and corporate social responsibility. We care about each other reaching our potential making a difference to our communities and achieving success that is mutual.

The Enterprise Finance & Controllership function serves a critical role in telling the story of RBCs financial results to the public through the quarterly and annual Report to Shareholders providing advice on complex accounting issues through a strategic lens maintaining strong financial reporting internal controls and data governance practices and enabling strategic planning forecasting and management of financial performance to meet the Banks overall financial objectives. As part of the Enterprise Finance & Controllership group in our Toronto office you will be part of a collaborative team culture that strives to challenge ourselves to be our best think progressively to keep growing and work together to deliver collective results.

This role will help advance priority sustainability initiatives across the bank including supporting the evolution of a sustainability policy and advisory function and preparing for future sustainability disclosure regulations and standards. This role also helps shape RBCs sustainability disclosure strategy and through close collaboration with partners in Finance Strategy Law Risk Management Communications Investor Relations and Human Resources helps in preparing and delivering RBCs core sustainability report. You will work in a dynamic environment that provides the opportunity to bring your unique perspective and approach to the role including adapting the role to address evolving Finance priorities and operating models.

This is a high-profile leadership role and is an ideal position from which to develop an understanding of the sustainability matters that impact RBC build technical and leadership skills and develop strong relationships across the Bank. You would be a great match for this role if you have experience in accounting policy development disclosure gap assessments preparation and review of financial disclosures navigating interpreting and implementing new and complex accounting standards involving a variety of stakeholders and familiarity with sustainability reporting frameworks and regulations. You might describe yourself as a self-starter are able to investigate issues in detail step back and understand the business and risk lens at a birds eye view and effectively communicate difficult concepts to senior executives.

What will you do

• Lead the review and provide sustainability advisory services to internal stakeholders across RBC by advising on complex sustainability issues including special projects and working with key stakeholders to ensure conclusions are consistent with our corporate sustainability policies
• Develop and maintain RBCs corporate sustainability policies in accordance with relevant standards / regulations
• Help shape RBCs external sustainability disclosure strategy and deliver bestin-class disclosures through effective partnering with key stakeholders industry research and benchmarking and identification of emerging disclosure trends
• Establish processes to gap assess RBCs current sustainability disclosures against future sustainability reporting requirements including developing and setting expectations with various content owners/contributors across the Bank
• Assist in the preparation and delivery of RBCs core sustainability reporting including providing effective challenge over sections to support the accuracy and quality of sustainability disclosures
• Lead the design and implementation of project plans timelines and accountabilities for implementation of future sustainability reporting standards regulations and other initiatives
• Monitor and keep abreast of relevant developments and guidance from key bodies including the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI) and the European Union (Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive)
• Develop strong business partner relationships to foster greater understanding of key disclosure standards and emerging methodologies
• Shape future sustainability-related disclosure requirements by supporting advocacy efforts on developments impacting RBCs sustainability-related disclosures
• Liaise with industry peers on sustainability disclosure matters as needed through industry associations (e.g. Canadian Bankers Association)
• Assist in the preparation of sustainability-related materials for senior executives our CFO and the Board/Audit Committee
• Liaise with the external and internal auditors on sustainability reporting policy issues and implementation of future standards as needed
• Support strategic initiatives within the Chief Accountants Group and more broadly within the CFO Group
• Contribute to a collaborative team-first environment and bring your unique perspective and curiosity to set ambitious goals drive process improvements and challenge the status quo

What do you need to succeed

Must Have

• Chartered Professional Accountant designation
• 7 years of relevant work experience
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills including the ability to communicate effectively to executives
• Strong analytical organizational and problem-solving skills; including the ability to manage multiple priorities and lead independently while knowing when to escalate and ask for support
• A proactive pragmatic and forward-thinking approach; including the ability to recommend practical solutions to complex challenges in a dynamic environment
• Curiosity to learn new ways to do things willingness to challenge the status quo and ability to drive process improvements and efficiencies
• Strong interpersonal skills; specifically able to act as change agent facilitator and collaborator in a cross-functional setting
• Self-starter enthusiasm and willingness to learn to get up to speed and stay abreast of constantly evolving developments
• A one team mindset and willingness to support and contribute to broader Finance goals and objectives

Nice to Have

• Strong understanding of sustainability regulatory disclosure requirements and risk landscape
• Solid understanding of financial institutions
• Sustainability-related experience and/or familiarity with sustainability-related frameworks such as TCFD ISSB SASB GRI CSRD ESRS etc. is highly desirable

Job Skills

Additional Job Details

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.