What is the opportunity?

As the Global Head of Securities Settlements, you will play a critical role in ensuring the timely and accurate settlement of all transactions and trades across our global operations. You will lead a dynamic settlements function, driving operational efficiency, managing settlement risk, and overseeing a geographically distributed team through ongoing industry transformation and evolving regulatory environments. We are looking for a dynamic leader with a strong background in settlements and a passion for driving operational efficiency.

What will you do?

Settlement Operations & Process Management:

• Oversee the settlement process for all global transactions and trades, ensuring timely and accurate completion across all asset classes and geographies. Take end-to-end accountability for settlement performance, reconciliation, exception handling, and resolution of settlement breaks.
• Develop and implement efficient settlement processes and procedures in line with industry’s best practices and regulatory requirements. Design solutions that optimize settlement across multiple venues and asset types, balancing speed, cost, and risk mitigation.
• Monitor and analyze settlement data and metrics to identify areas for improvement and implement solutions. Establish key performance indicators and service level agreements, tracking settlement volumes, cycle times, exception rates, and operational efficiency gains.
• Continuously evaluate and improve settlement processes and systems to enhance efficiency and mitigate risk. Conduct regular process reviews, root cause analysis of settlement failures, and implement remediation and preventative measures.
• Stay updated on market trends and developments in settlement processes to identify and implement innovative solutions. Assess emerging technologies, workflow automation, and industry innovations (such as blockchain and real-time settlement capabilities) for potential adoption.

Team Leadership & Development

• Lead and manage a team of settlement specialists across multiple geographies, providing guidance and support to ensure high-quality work and accountability. Set standards for operational performance, risk management, and professional conduct across the global settlements function.
• Manage the team from a financial perspective, ensuring operations are conducted within plan and setting objectives aligned with NIE and budget targets. Drive cost efficiency and accountability across the settlements function while maintaining service quality and risk standards
• Train new team members on settlement procedures and systems to maintain a high level of expertise within the team. Develop comprehensive training programs, documentation, and knowledge management systems. Foster a culture of continuous learning, skill development, and operational excellence.

Stakeholder Management & Communication

• Collaborate with other departments and teams within the company to streamline settlement processes and resolve operational issues. Work closely with front-office teams to understand trade requirements and translate them into operational capabilities. Engage with middle-office risk and compliance functions to embed controls and manage settlement risk.
• Communicate with internal and external stakeholders, such as clients and counterparties, to resolve settlement discrepancies and issues. Serve as the escalation point for complex settlement problems and client inquiries, providing clear explanation of issues and timely resolution.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders and partners to ensure smooth settlement processes. Build and manage relationships with external settlement infrastructure providers (Euroclear, DTCC, local clearinghouses, CCPs) and counterparties.
• Provide regular updates and reports to senior management on settlement activities and performance. Deliver monthly and ad-hoc reporting on settlement metrics, operational risks, regulatory compliance, and strategic initiatives. Communicate actionable insights and recommendations to senior leadership.
• Provide active engagement with peers and leadership regarding Capex planning and infrastructure investments to support the settlements’ function. Contribute to investment decisions that enhance operational capabilities, technology modernization, and market infrastructure readiness

Regulatory Compliance & Risk Management

• Stay updated on industry regulations and changes that may impact the settlement process, always ensuring compliance. Monitor regulatory developments across all jurisdictions in which the company settles, including post-trade regulatory regimes, settlement cycle changes, and operational resilience requirements.
• Ensure compliance with company policies and procedures, as well as regulatory requirements, related to settlements. Design and implement control frameworks that satisfy both internal governance standards and external regulatory expectations. Maintain documentation of controls and procedures to demonstrate compliance.

Subject Matter Expertise & Strategic Leadership

• Serve as a subject matter expert on settlement processes and provide guidance and support to other departments and teams as needed. Advise front-office, risk, compliance, and technology teams on settlement matters. Contribute to company-wide initiatives requiring settlement expertise.
• Participate in cross-functional projects and initiatives to improve overall company operations and client service. Lead or contribute to strategic projects such as T+1 EUR readiness, settlement infrastructure upgrades, regulatory implementations, and operational resilience initiatives.

Key Qualifications

Extensive Experience in Settlements Operations: The Global Head of Settlements for RBC Global Markets must have a deep understanding of the settlement process and possess a strong track record of managing settlements operations at a global level. Demonstrated expertise across asset class with proven ability to scale operations across multiple geographies and business lines.

Strong Leadership Skills:As a senior leadership role, the Global Head of Settlements must possess exceptional leadership skills to effectively manage a large and diverse team across different regions. Demonstrated ability to build, develop, and retain high-performing teams in complex, matrixed environments. Strong capability in change management, fostering accountability, and creating a results-driven culture.

In-Depth Knowledge of Global Financial Markets (North America, EMEA, LatAm APAC): This position requires a thorough understanding of the global financial markets and the various regulatory frameworks that govern them, including knowledge of different asset classes, currencies, and trading practices. Specific experience with settlement infrastructure, market conventions, and regulatory requirements across North America (DTCC, DTC, NSCC mechanics), EMEA (Euroclear, local CSDs, CSDR compliance), and APAC (local clearinghouses and settlement practices). Understanding of time zone implications, cross-border settlement complexities, and regional operational best practices.

Excellent Communication and Collaboration Skills: The Global Head of Settlements must have excellent communication skills to effectively communicate with both internal and external stakeholders, as well as the ability to collaborate with other departments to ensure seamless settlement processes. Proven ability to present complex operational matters clearly to senior leadership, board committees, and external regulators. Strong interpersonal skills with demonstrated success building consensus across conflicting priorities and driving change in complex organizational environments.

• Cross-functional engagement with peers and leadership on capital expenditure strategy, planning and prioritization.

Strategic Thinking and Problem-Solving Abilities: This role requires a strategic thinker who can identify potential risks and develop solutions to mitigate them. The Global Head of Securities Settlements must also be able to adapt to changing market conditions and develop innovative solutions to improve settlement processes.

• Demonstrated ability to translate strategic business objectives into operational roadmaps. Proven problem-solving approach combining data-driven analysis with operational judgment. Capability to balance short-term operational demands with long-term transformational initiatives.
• Ability to think critically and adapt quickly to evolving challenges

Technical & Analytical Skills: Demonstrated expertise in post-trade operations, including securities settlement and clearing imperatives across multiple asset classes. Strong proficiency with data analytics and business intelligence tools to support decision-making and identify operational trends. Ability to translate complex operational and technical challenges into clear, executive-ready problem statements and actionable solutions.

• Familiarity with workflow automation, exception management systems, and emerging technologies in back-office operations. Understanding of settlement infrastructure (CDS, Euroclear, DTCC, local clearinghouses, CCP mechanics) and experience designing solutions that optimize across multiple settlement venues.

Communication: Ability to influence and collaborate across matrixed and regional structures. Skilled at managing relationships with front-office partners, translating their requirements into operational capabilities, and maintaining credibility under pressure. Strong presence with the ability to communicate complex operational matters to senior leadership and external stakeholders in clear, concise language.

• Demonstrated success building high-performing teams across multiple geographies and fostering a culture of continuous improvement, accountability, and operational excellence. Capable of managing ambiguity and driving change in a fast-moving environment.

Regulatory & Control Acumen: Strong understanding of regulatory requirements relevant to post-trade operations, including settlement finality, segregation of duties, operational resilience standards, and emerging regulatory frameworks (CSDR, T+1 mandates, and equivalent regimes across major jurisdictions). Experience designing and implementing control frameworks that satisfy both internal governance and external regulatory expectations.

• Forward-looking risk identification mindset, rooted in operational knowledge of process and systems. Demonstrated ability to manage regulatory examinations, internal and third-party audits, and remediation initiatives effectively.

What do you need to succeed?

Must-have

• Minimum 10–15 years of progressive experience in capital markets operations, with substantive exposure to multiple asset classes and trade flows. Proven track record leading operational teams through transformation initiatives, including process redesign and organizational change management. Strong understanding of trade settlement, clearing mechanics, regulatory frameworks (including post-trade regulatory regimes), and operational risk management across multiple jurisdictions
• Demonstrated experience navigating settlement cycle transitions (including T+1 implementations) and managing operational readiness for significant market infrastructure changes. Track record of vendor management and third-party service provider oversight, particularly in multi-jurisdictional settlement environments
• Extensive experience in settlements operations with a deep understanding of the settlement process and a strong track record of managing settlements operations at a global level. Demonstrated ability to manage large-scale settlements portfolios across multiple asset classes, geographies, and regulatory environments.
• Experience with Canadian, United States, Europe and APAC market infrastructures, including familiarity with central settlement depositories (CSDs) such as CDS, DTCC, Euroclear, Crest, Clearstream among all leading global CSDs.
• FINRA Series 99

Nice-to-have

•  MBA or equivalent advanced degree in finance, business administration, or related field. Prior experience in operational governance role. Exposure to regulatory examinations, internal and third-party audits, and demonstrated ability to manage remediation initiatives effectively.
• Experience with operational resilience testing and business continuity planning in settlement environments.
• Prior experience leading settlements operations during major market infrastructure transitions or digital transformation initiatives.

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

Adaptability, Business Performance Management, Customer Service, Decision Making, Interpersonal Relationship Management, Operational Delivery, Process Improvements, Time Management

Additional Job Details

RBC CENTRE, 155 WELLINGTON ST W:TORONTOTorontoCanada37.5Full timeCAPITAL MARKETSRegularSalaried2026-05-142026-05-28

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.