Assistant General Counsel, Global Subsidiary Governance Office (excluding U.S. Governance SGO)

Job Summary

Job Description

What is the Opportunity?

As an Assistant General Counsel, Global Subsidiary Governance Office (excluding U.S. Governance SGO), you will establish strategic direction for legal board governance of over 200 RBC subsidiaries operating in more than 30 jurisdictions (excluding the U.S.) by implementing and maintaining a legal governance framework that keeps pace with changes in applicable laws, the global regulatory environment, business growth and emerging best practices.

You will drive a consistent approach to subsidiary board governance to facilitate central oversight with local accountability ensuring that requirements are flexible and principle-based to satisfy local requirements while adapting to evolving requirements. You will also promote a streamlined organizational structure to avoid unnecessary duplication and complexity of corporate and regulatory licenses and authorizations while enabling the business to operate in the jurisdictions required. Additionally, you will collaborate with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders (board members, business groups, functional groups and regulators), each of whom may have different perspectives and objectives to drive effective and efficient subsidiary board practices.

Act as a key legal advisor to enterprise senior management and members of the Legal Affairs & Compliance team and other functions on a broad range of corporate, governance and financial services regulatory matters relating to subsidiaries. You will also lead the Subsidiary Governance Office (approximately 20 lawyers, corporate secretaries, law clerks and paralegals) which uses a regional hub model with employees located in nine jurisdictions across differing time zones in Canada, Bahamas, Trinidad & Tobago, U.K., Channel Islands, and Hong Kong. You will also be accountable to the Chief Legal & Administrative Officer for successful achievement of strategic priorities and operational performance goals of the Chief Legal & Administrative Officer, driving a high level of performance, employee engagement, a superior client experience and value for RBC shareholders.

What will you do?

• Provide support and guidance for businesses on all subsidiary board governance matters in collaboration with other functional groups such as Compliance, Tax, Corporate Treasury and Finance.
• Act as the “gatekeeper” for all subsidiary lifecycle events (incorporation, formation, merger, amalgamation, continuance, dissolution and winding up) of RBC subsidiaries by participating in (and leading, where necessary) internal approval processes such as Project Approval Request reviews.
• Establish engaged and dynamic subsidiary boards by focusing a critical lens on board composition developing effective director nomination processes that leverage existing HR processes, where possible, to recruit diverse internal and external candidates.
• On-board, support, train and guide subsidiary directors and monitor, review and update board and board committee self-assessment processes to identify governance opportunities for enhancing board operations and efficiencies.
• Monitor, evaluate and continuously improve board governance policies, practices and procedures to promote efficient and effective subsidiary boards by, for example, establishing board presentation guidelines.
• Anticipate, understand and benchmark regulatory board governance trends and regulatory developments to maintain best practice standards for subsidiary boards.
• Participate in, support and respond to regulatory reviews, inspections and audits of subsidiary board matters and develop, where necessary, action plans to address findings.
• Serve as Corporate Secretary for key subsidiaries, as required.

What do you need to succeed?

Must have

• LLB or JD degree, called to the Bar of a Canadian province, membership in applicable law society or bar association or equivalent from another jurisdiction.
• Ideally, the successful candidate will have at least 12 to 15 years of relevant experience gained in private practice or in-house roles, with an emphasis on corporate governance, corporate law and regulatory.
• Experienced manager with a track record for leading change and building successful teams.
• Ability to impact and influence through consultation and business rationale, with excellent communication skills (written and oral).
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy, and highly organized with ability to easily pivot shifting priorities and manage multiple tasks within challenging deadlines.

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 and competitive compensation
• Leaders who support your development through coaching and managing opportunities
• Work in a dynamic, collaborative, progressive, and high-performing team
• Opportunities to do challenging work and to be immersed in new technologies being leveraged by RBC

Address: ROYAL BANK PLAZA, 200 BAY ST:TORONTO

City: TORONTO

Country: Canada

Work hours/week: 37.5

Employment Type: Full time

Platform: CHIEF LEGAL & ADMIN OFFICE GRP

Job Type: Regular

Pay Type: Salaried

Posted Date: 2025-02-25

Application Deadline: 2025-03-31

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 embrace diversity and inclusion for innovation and growth. We are committed to building inclusive teams and an equitable workplace for our employees to bring their true selves to work. We are taking actions to tackle issues of inequity and systemic bias to support our diverse talent, clients and communities.