What is the opportunity?

We're seeking a visionary Director, Design to lead design strategy and execution for Royal Bank of Canada's Self-Directed Investing business. This is a high-impact leadership opportunity to shape the future of how Canadians invest independently.

You'll champion a design culture that drives innovation, elevates user experience, and differentiates RBC in a competitive market. Reporting to [Business Leadership], you'll own the end-to-end design function—from strategy and product design to user research and design systems.

What You'll Do

• Lead design vision: Define and communicate a bold, innovation-focused design strategy aligned with business ambitions

• Build & mentor teams: Recruit and develop a world-class design team (UX, UI, research, content design)

• Drive user-centric innovation: Champion rigorous user research and testing to inform product decisions

• Own product design: Oversee design for web, mobile, and emerging platforms with a focus on simplicity and delight

• Collaborate cross-functionally: Partner with Product, Engineering, and Marketing to translate design insights into business outcomes

• Establish design systems & standards: Create scalable, maintainable design frameworks that accelerate delivery

• Lead AI adoption in design: Develop and execute a strategy for leveraging AI tools and technologies to enhance ideation, streamline workflows, and improve design efficiency and effectiveness across the team

What do you need to succeed?

Must have

• 10+ years of design leadership experience, with 5+ years in a director or equivalent role

• Deep knowledge of the investing and wealth management industry—understand market dynamics, regulatory considerations, investor behaviors, and competitive landscape

• Active investor with hands-on experience managing a self-directed portfolio; genuine passion for investing

• Demonstrated experience or vision for AI adoption in design—familiar with emerging AI tools for design, prototyping, research, and ideation; comfortable experimenting with and scaling new technologies

• Proven track record launching innovative digital products in financial services or consumer-focused industries

• Strong portfolio demonstrating design thinking, user research integration, and measurable impact

• Expert in modern design tools and methodologies (design systems, agile, accessibility)

• Exceptional communicator who influences senior stakeholders

• Passionate about building high-performing, diverse teams

Why Join Us

• Lead innovation in a business with significant growth ambitions

• Shape the future of AI-enabled design within a major financial institution

• Access to resources, talent, and organizational support to execute boldly

• Work with a team committed to putting customers first

• Competitive compensation, benefits, and career development opportunities

What’s in it for you?

We thrive on the challenge to be our best, progressive thinking to keep growing, and working together to deliver trusted advice to help our clients thrive and communities prosper. We care about each other, reaching our potential, making a difference to our communities, and achieving success that is mutual.

• 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.

• Flexible work/life balance options.

• Opportunities to do challenging work.

• Opportunities to take on progressively greater accountabilities. 

• Access to a variety of job opportunities across business.

Job Skills

Additional Job Details

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.