Director, ESG Controls

What is the opportunity?

The CFO Controls Office (CCO) is a 2nd line of defense assurance team reporting into Finance designed to add value and improve RBC's financial control environment and reporting process. It provides subject matter expert (SME) advice, enabling RBC to achieve its objectives by bringing a systematic, disciplined approach to evaluate and improve the effectiveness of risk management, control, and governance processes across the Bank which impacts the financial statements.

As an integral member of the CCO, the incumbent will manage/support control and governance activities in relation to Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Reporting for RBC. For forward-thinking and results-focused leaders, this is an opportunity to enhance RBC's ESG reporting infrastructure and framework. You will contribute to the delivery of critical elements of RBC's Sustainability Reports to tell the story of RBC's sustainability ambitions, progress and results to the public.

The purpose of the Director, ESG Controls role is twofold:
1) Advance RBC's ESG reporting infrastructure, including enhancing the risks and control framework by setting policies, standards, and expectations over data and reporting reliability and accuracy, and providing SME advice on risk assessment, risk mitigation, control design, and issue management.
2) Build and secure future state readiness for emerging shift towards mandatory ESG disclosure regulations and requirements and the potential need to obtain independent reasonable assurance from external auditors.

What will you do?

1) Advance ESG reporting infrastructure by defining control standards and expectations with a focus on:

• Building and implementing an ESG control framework necessary to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements. Focus will be to leverage and tailor SOX (Sarbanes-Oxley Act) control framework to meet ESG requirements.
• Establishing clear governance structure with defined mandates towards an operating model with first line ownership and accountability and integrated second line.
• Coordinating with internal and external auditors on ESG reporting issues, as needed.
• Elevating risk and control knowledge across all ESG stakeholders via training and education programs and providing subject matter expertise, as needed.
• Ensuring continued alignment with CFO's evolving controls framework to maintain standardized processes, consistent documentation, and common tools.

2) Contribute to the preparation and delivery of best-in-class ESG disclosures, bringing a financial reporting lens to controls and governance with a focus on:

• Working with key stakeholders across RBC to support and maintain strong governance over sustainability reporting.
• Implementing process improvements and new reporting tools and technologies to support delivery of RBC's Sustainability Reports - ensuring controls and governance remain top-of-mind through vendor/tool selection and implementation activities.
• Assessing controls and governance impacts arising from new or enhanced requirements over ESG-related disclosure, financial reporting, independent assurance etc.
• Identifying emerging trends, risks, and issues and determining actionable improvements to enhance overall controls environment.
• Assisting in the preparation of ESG-related materials for senior executives, CFO, and the Board/Audit Committee/Governance Committee.

3) Other CCO initiatives

• Support a One RBC approach to navigating peak periods by providing targeted support on other CCO initiatives including but not limited to providing risks, controls, and governance challenge and subject matter advice, as needed.
• Participate in ad-hoc projects as directed by Senior Director, CFO Controls Office (Innovation/GL Gov/ESG).

What do you need to succeed?

Must-have

• Chartered Professional Accountant designation
• 10+ years of relevant work experience
• Proven experience working with cross-functional teams in large scale transformation
• Proven track record as valued advisor with risk and control mindset and prior experience working in or dealing with audit and assurance engagements.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Organizational awareness and proven impact and influence skills with senior leaders
• Deep knowledge of key financial metrics, operational risk, governance, the control environment, and regulatory policies
• Strategic business acumen with proven project & business execution skills
• Strong knowledge on and broad experience in financial products, risk management, with specialization in banking and business processes, internal controls, and industry best practices and regulatory requirements
• Superior organizational awareness and time management skills
• Solid relationship management skills since frequent interaction with key contacts is necessary to be successful in this role; specifically able to act as a change agent.
• Strong leadership and team building skills
• Strategic thinker with a collaborative mindset
• Significant analytics and thought leadership
• Proven creative thinker capable of solving complex problems and resolving issues that may be nebulous.

Nice-to-have

• Solid understanding of financial institutions, including all facets of RBC's business and other activities with strong business acumen
• Strong understanding of ESG regulatory disclosure requirements and risk landscape
• ESG-related experience and/or familiarity with ESG-related frameworks such as TCFD, ISSB, SASB, GRI, CSRD, 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.