Associate Director, Venture Capital Strategy and Research

What is the opportunity?

RBC Capital Partners (“RBCP”) is the VC/PE investment platform of RBC, responsible for RBC’s direct and fund investments, working alongside the Corporate Development and Enterprise Strategy teams. RBCP invests directly in early-stage startups to support strategic partnerships and drive innovation across RBC. We are looking for a proactive self-starter who is highly driven, confident, intellectually curious, and a strategic thinker to help shape RBC’s direct VC investment strategy and drive engagement with our internal and external ecosystem.

What will you do?

The Associate Director, Venture Capital Investment Strategy and Research will play a critical role in helping internal business units identify and assess trends that could impact the future of financial services, develop investment theses and identify high potential startups for strategic partnerships or investments. The investment strategy will be developed by working closely with internal teams (Enterprise Strategy, Corporate Development, and various Business Units) to understand strategic priorities, and conducting deep external market research to identify investable themes. The incumbent will also focus on increasing business unit exposure to external market innovation, by organizing events with expert speakers / companies and delivering presentations on priority topics. The role will be dynamic and fast-paced, offering broad exposure to RBC business leaders, external VC investors and innovative startups.

Key responsibilities for this role are outlined below:

• Conduct market research, investor and company outreach to identify relevant trends
• Evaluate companies in emerging categories and identify leading players to introduce to business units for learning, strategic partnerships or investments
• Independently create in-depth analyses on specific investment themes and present key conclusions to internal executives
• Build and maintain proprietary data assets (e.g. whitepapers, market maps, company profiles)
• Regular engagement with internal business units to understand priorities, share market trends / relevant companies and identify suitable themes for deeper dives
• Design and coordinate execution of internal / external events to provide business leaders with exposure to startup innovation (e.g. demo days) and industry experts
• Project management and reporting of engagement activities conducted with business units and key fund partners
• Support investment team with market insights / commercial due diligence as required
• Collaborate with other team members on strategic initiatives for RBCP

What do you need to succeed?

Must-have

• Candidates should have 5+ years of experience in roles such as Corporate Strategy, Management Consulting, Innovation, business development or other strategic analysis
• Prior experience and understanding of the Financial Services sector, either at large financial institutions, FinTech startups or Technology companies
• Exposure to early-stage startup ecosystems and financial services innovation
• Passion for innovation and intellectual curiosity to learn about new technologies, business models and innovative startups.
• Strong strategic thinking and analytical skills, with comfort in ambiguity and fast-paced environments.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills with executive presence, including ability to influence senior executives.
• Proven track record managing complex research & analytical projects, with ability to independently structure end-to-end analyses and synthesize data into insights.
• Self-starter with superior work ethic, demonstrated ability to thrive in an entrepreneurial environment with limited supervision
• Excellent interpersonal and networking skills with an ability to develop and maintain effective business relationships

Nice-to-have

• MBA or equivalent advanced degree or professional designation
• Familiarity and networks in the venture capital, startup and innovation ecosystems
• Experience running innovation-focused events such as workshops, panels, demo days
• Operating and/or business development experience in an early-stage technology company
• Understanding of emerging technology trends (e.g., Generative AI, digital assets, embedded finance) and their implications for financial services.
• Understanding of banking industry and working in large, matrixed organizations

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, with competitive compensation
• 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
• A world-class training program in financial services

Job Skills

Communication, Detail-Oriented, Economic Analysis, Financial Regulation, Interpersonal Relationship Management, Personal Development, Personal Initiative, Portfolio Management, Quantitative Methods, Strategic Initiative, Venture Capital Investments

Additional Job Details

ROYAL BANK PLAZA, 200 BAY ST:TORONTOTorontoCanada37.5Full timeOFFICE OF THE CFORegularSalaried2026-03-112026-04-11

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.