Finance AI and Data Science Lead

Location: TORONTO, Ontario, Canada

Time Type: Full time

Job Description

What is the opportunity?

Join our cutting-edge Finance Artificial Intelligence (AI) team as a Lead Data Scientist, where you will drive the transformation of the CFO function through the power of AI and Generative AI (GenAI). Our mission is to design, build, and optimize digital and AI solutions that drive efficiency, accuracy, and resiliency in financial operations. As a leader in our team, you will be at the forefront of innovation in Finance, leveraging predictive analytics, emerging technologies, and AI transformation roadmaps to revolutionize operational excellence, enhance risk management, and unlock new growth opportunities.

What will you do?

• • Lead and mentor a team of data scientists, providing technical guidance, career development, and performance management
• • Drive strategic planning for AI/GenAI initiatives aligned with Finance transformation objectives
• • Manage multiple concurrent projects, ensuring delivery timelines, quality standards, and resource optimization
• • Lead the design, development and optimization of AI-powered solutions, including Finance Assist chatbot, ensuring scalability and enterprise-grade performance
• • Establish best practices for model development, testing, validation, and deployment across the team
• • Review and approve technical designs, code reviews, and model performance metrics
• • Execute the AI-driven automation strategy for Finance
• • Partner with business leaders to identify high-impact use cases and prioritize AI investments
• • Present findings and recommendations to senior leadership and executive committees

What do you need to succeed?

Must-have

• Master's degree in Computer Science, Data Science, Engineering, Mathematics, Statistics, or a related field • PhD preferred but not required
• 5+ years of hands-on experience in data science, machine learning, or AI development
• 2+ years of experience leading technical teams and managing data science projects
• Proven track record of delivering enterprise-scale AI/ML solutions
• Expert proficiency in Python, R, and SQL
• Deep understanding of AI/ML frameworks (TensorFlow, PyTorch, scikit-learn)
• Experience with GenAI/LLM technologies and implementation
• Strong knowledge of cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) and MLOps practices
• Experience with big data technologies – Hadoop (Pig, Hive), SQL databases, parallel processing techniques, and Apache Spark

Nice-to-have

• • PhD in a relevant field
• • Finance domain expertise or CFA/FRM certifications
• • Previous experience in banking or financial services industry
• • Experience with regulatory compliance in AI (model risk management, ethical AI)

What’s in it for you? 

It provides the opportunity to be a part of a high performing experienced team with progressive thinking to deliver trusted advice to help our clients thrive and communities prosper.

• Opportunities to do challenging work utilizing latest technologies
• Opportunities to see measurable results in relatively short term
• Opportunities to take on progressively greater accountabilities    
• Opportunities to building close relationships with counterparts across the bank

Job Skills

Actuarial Modeling, Big Data Management, Commercial Acumen, Data Mining, Data Science, Decision Making, Machine Learning (ML), Natural Language Processing (NLP), Predictive Analytics, Python (Programming Language)

Additional Job Details

20 KING ST W:TORONTOTorontoCanada37.5Full timeOFFICE OF THE CFORegularSalaried2026-03-112026-03-31

Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the day prior to the application deadline date above

Our Employment Opportunities

At RBC, we are guided by living shared values of Client First, Integrity, Collaboration, Respect and Excellence and winning together as One 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.

RBC is presently inviting candidates to apply for this existing vacancy. Applying to this posting allows you to express your interest in this current career opportunity at RBC. Qualified applicants may be contacted to review their resume in more detail.