Director, GAM Financial Control

Job Description

What is the opportunity

For forward-thinking and results-focused leaders, this is an opportunity to join the Financial Control team of Canada’s 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.

Job Description

RBC Global Asset Management (GAM) is the asset management division of Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) and is a provider of global investment management services and solutions to institutional, high-net worth and individual investors through separate accounts, pooled funds, mutual funds, hedge funds, exchange-traded funds and specialty investment strategies. RBC GAM manages close to $600 billion of client assets globally and has approximately 1,700 employees located across Canada, the United States, Europe and Asia.

The Director – GAM Financial Control is a key leader in Wealth Management Finance who will manage and empower a team of accounting and finance professionals, whilst managing the financial control and reporting responsibilities across the global GAM business. You will play a key role in co-piloting with the business to enhance and establish best practices in GAM’s overall control framework, as well as collaborate with various Finance and functional teams and support senior leaders across Finance and the business.

This role will appeal to individuals who want to work in a fast-paced area that has significant visibility and a high profile across RBC, who have an appetite for working in a forward looking and innovative environment, and who also thrive on challenges, want to over‑achieve and make a real difference within Finance and the business.

What will you do

• Oversee the financial close cycle for GAM, including the timely and accurate reporting of our monthly/quarterly results, and production of key disclosures for consumption by senior management, functional partners, and contribution to external reporting materials.


• Providing technical accounting guidance, as well as addressing specific technical accounting queries raised by multiple stakeholders on GAM new business initiatives/products, including communication to senior management globally through issue life cycle – from identification to implementation and monitoring, and consideration of existing policies and controls.


• Manage the WM GAM global internal control and governance framework, including setting standards for key control activities and optimization of SOX and non‑SOX process through leading the platform onto a risk-based approach for control activities, identification of emerging risk areas, and maintaining an overall strong internal control environment.


• Ownership of GAM Balance Sheet GL attestation process and results, working with stakeholders to understand recurring issues and identify solutions.


• Enable and deepen relationships with the GAM business globally and other key stakeholders (e.g., WM Platform financial control, Performance Management, IT, Risk Management, Accounting Policy, Tax, Capital and other Enterprise Finance partners).


• Work closely with GAM regional finance teams to ensure accuracy and completeness of global GAM financial results and provide leadership for month end close processes and related deliverables.


• Lead a talented and motivated team responsible for GAM Financial Control, including analyses and insights for senior management across Finance, and the business.


• Identify opportunities to streamline, enhance efficiencies and automate key processes.

What do you need to succeed

Must‑have

• CPA designation or equivalent, with 10+ years of experience, and understanding of key disclosure requirements and SOX compliance


• Strong team and people management abilities, and ability to play a leadership role across a wide group of peers


• Curiosity to explore better ways of working and motivating the team while maintaining a strong governance mindset, accompanied by a drive to take ownership for and resolve issues with a sense of urgency.


• Ability to multitask and handle high‑pressure executive level requests on an ongoing basis


• Excellent leadership and interpersonal skills with a strong ability to influence stakeholders and mobilize cross‑functional groups to deliver on common goals


• Superior organizational and problem‑solving skills


• Able to consistently exercise independent thought and judgment and adapt to new tasks quickly


• Strong interpersonal skills, due to frequent interaction with Finance Senior Management and External Auditors, with the ability to explain complex issues in a concise and meaningful manner.

Nice‑to‑have

• Excellent project management skills


• Experience and understanding of Asset Management businesses and transactions, and associated risks & returns.


• Proactive and persistent in issue resolution

What’s in it for you

• A comprehensive Total Rewards Program including bonuses and flexible benefits


• Leaders who support your development through coaching and managing opportunities


• Ability to make a difference and lasting impact


• Work in an agile, collaborative, progressive, and high‑performing team


• The opportunity to interface with senior level executives from many different parts of the organization

Job Skills

Accounting, Accounting Finance, Decision Making, Finance, Finance Control, Financial Planning and Analysis (FP&A), Financial Reporting and Analysis, Internal Controls, International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), Long Term Planning, Oral Communications, Organizational Savvy and Politics, People Management, Problem Resolution, Sarbanes‑Oxley Act (SOX), Strategic Thinking, Team Management, Time Management, Wealth Management

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.