Chief Information Officer - RFA Bank of Canada
Top Benefits
About the role
Chief Information Officer – RFA Bank of Canada
Date: November 5, 2025
Location: Toronto
Company: RFA Bank of Canada
Job Type: Permanent
About RFA
Founded in 1996, RFA (Realty Financial Advisors) is a leading Canadian-owned real estate firm. Through RFA Bank of Canada and RFA Mortgage Corporation, RFA offers mortgage brokers a complete range of Prime and Alternative mortgage solutions.
RFA Bank of Canada, a division of RFA (Realty Financial Advisors), is a federally regulated Schedule I Bank. Our goal is to be a long-term leader in the residential lending market by offering more than just competitive rates and compensation. At RFA Bank of Canada, we are committed to delivering exceptional service through secure, innovative technology solutions while maintaining the highest standards of regulatory compliance and data protection.
The Opportunity
We’re looking to fill a Chief Information Officer position at RFA Bank of Canada!
We are seeking an experienced technology leader to serve as our Chief Information Officer. This role will drive our technology strategy, digital transformation, and IT operations while providing executive oversight of our cybersecurity program led by our Chief Information Security Officer (CISO). Reporting directly to the CEO, this executive will be a key member of our leadership team and will present regularly to the Board of Directors.
Core Responsibilities
**As the Chief Information Officer, you will:**Technology Leadership & Strategy:
- Develop and execute a comprehensive technology strategy aligned with business objectives and growth plans
- Oversee all IT operations, infrastructure, systems, and applications
- Lead digital transformation initiatives to enhance customer experience and operational efficiency
- Manage relationships with technology vendors, service providers, and outsourced partners
- Drive innovation in digital banking, fintech partnerships, and emerging technologies
- Ensure high availability, reliability, and performance of all technology systems
- Develop and manage the technology budget
- Build and lead a high-performing IT organization, including oversight of the CISO, security team and RFA Bank’s development team
- Champion a culture of technology excellence, innovation, and continuous improvement
Security Program Oversight:
- Provide executive leadership and strategic direction to the CISO
- Ensure cybersecurity strategy aligns with and enables business objectives
- Review and approve enterprise security policies, standards, and risk tolerance
- Oversee security budget allocation and resource prioritization
- Support the CISO in escalations, crisis management, and incident response
- Ensure integration of security requirements into all technology initiatives
- Balance security requirements with business needs and user experience
- Present unified technology and security strategy to Board and executive leadership
Compliance & Governance:
- Ensure adherence to OSFI Guidelines B-10, B-13, E-21, and other regulatory requirements
- Oversee compliance with PIPEDA, FINTRAC, provincial privacy regulations, and industry standards
- Support audit and regulatory examinations related to technology, IT governance and IT security
- Maintain IT governance framework and decision-making processes
- Report regularly to Board of Directors on technology strategy, operations, and security posture
- Oversee data governance, retention, and privacy programs
Operational Excellence:
- Provide executive leadership while managing IT service delivery, development, and support functions
- Optimize technology operations for efficiency and cost-effectiveness
- Lead major technology projects and system implementations
- Ensure RFA Bank’s outsourced operational partnerships are optimizing data sharing for efficiency and cost-effectiveness
- Ensure effective change management and project governance
- Establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) and service level agreements (SLAs)
- Drive continuous improvement in IT processes and capabilities
Business Partnership:
- Serve as trusted technology advisor to CEO and executive leadership team
- Translate complex technology concepts into business value and strategic outcomes
- Partner with business leaders to understand needs and deliver enabling solutions
- Lead technology due diligence for partnerships, mergers, or acquisitions
- Foster innovation and explore emerging technologies for competitive advantage
What You’ll Need to Succeed
Education & Certification
- Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, or related field (Master’s preferred)
- Professional certifications valued: ITIL, PMP, TOGAF, or cloud certifications
- Security awareness certifications beneficial but not required (CISM, CISSP as additional credentials)
Experience
- Minimum 15+ years of progressive IT leadership experience
- Minimum 7+ years in senior IT leadership roles (Director level or above)
- Minimum 5+ years in financial services or highly regulated industry
- Proven track record leading technology strategy and digital transformation
- Experience managing cybersecurity leaders and security programs
- Experience managing budgets and teams of employees
- Demonstrated success in regulatory examinations and audits
- Experience working with Boards of Directors and audit/risk committees
Technical Knowledge
- Broad understanding of enterprise IT architecture, infrastructure, and operations
- Knowledge of core banking systems, payment platforms, and financial technology
- Understanding of cloud platforms (Azure, AWS, Google Cloud) and SaaS solutions
- Familiarity with cybersecurity principles, frameworks, and best practices
- Knowledge of data management, analytics, and business intelligence
- Understanding of software development methodologies and application lifecycle
- Experience with IT service management and ITIL practices
Regulatory & Compliance Knowledge
- Strong understanding of OSFI regulatory framework and technology expectations
- Knowledge of PIPEDA and provincial privacy legislation
- Familiarity with FINTRAC requirements and technology controls
- Understanding of Canadian payments ecosystem (Payments Canada, Interac, Lynx)
- Awareness of emerging regulations including open banking initiatives
- Experience navigating regulatory examinations and responding to findings
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience in organizations of similar size and complexity
- Previous interaction with OSFI or other Canadian financial regulators
- Experience with mergers, acquisitions, or integration projects
- Track record of innovation and thought leadership in fintech
- Experience managing through significant technology modernization or transformation
- Background in both infrastructure and application development domains
What Sets You Apart
- Exceptional leadership and executive presence
- Proven ability to build, develop, and retain high-performing teams
- Strong business acumen with ability to align technology with strategic objectives
- Excellent communication skills with ability to present to board, executives, and technical teams
- Strategic thinking balanced with tactical execution and delivery
- Strong stakeholder management and relationship-building capabilities
- Crisis management and decision-making under pressure
- Change management and organizational transformation experience
- Vendor negotiation and contract management expertise
- Collaborative leadership style with ability to work across functions
Our Values and What We Offer at RFA
At RFA, we live by our core values. These values guide our daily actions and shape our work culture:
- Accountability: You take ownership of your work & its consequences. You always consider risk & make informed decisions.
- Selflessness: You share info & teach others. You’re able to put your ego aside & understand that the best idea wins.
- Inclusivity: You value differing viewpoints & experiences. You understand how this can drive growth & innovation.
- Innovation: You seek opportunity & embrace change. You see tech as a way to enhance productivity & drive profitability.
- Courage: You make tough decisions in our best interest. You see opportunity when faced with challenge or adversity.
- Impact: You value results & your contributions. You rise to the occasion and never settle for sub-par.
- Performance: You embody a competitive spirit, desire to win and strive for executional excellence.
Along with a strong work culture, RFA offers a comprehensive benefits package, including:
- Competitive compensation package of base salary plus performance bonus
- Comprehensive benefits including health, dental, vision, and wellness programs
- Retirement savings plan with employer matching
- Professional development and continuing education support
- Flexible work arrangements
- Opportunity to shape technology strategy for a growing organization
- Collaborative executive team and supportive board
- Leadership of a dedicated team including CISO and IT professionals
Ready to take the next step?
If this opportunity excites you and aligns with your skills and aspirations, we’d love to hear about how you can contribute to our team at RFA.
Accessibility
Accommodation is available upon request for applicants and employees with disabilities. If you are contacted for a job opportunity, please advise us of any accommodations needed to ensure you have access to a fair and equitable process. Any information received relating to accommodation will be addressed confidentially.
Chief Information Officer - RFA Bank of Canada
Top Benefits
About the role
Chief Information Officer – RFA Bank of Canada
Date: November 5, 2025
Location: Toronto
Company: RFA Bank of Canada
Job Type: Permanent
About RFA
Founded in 1996, RFA (Realty Financial Advisors) is a leading Canadian-owned real estate firm. Through RFA Bank of Canada and RFA Mortgage Corporation, RFA offers mortgage brokers a complete range of Prime and Alternative mortgage solutions.
RFA Bank of Canada, a division of RFA (Realty Financial Advisors), is a federally regulated Schedule I Bank. Our goal is to be a long-term leader in the residential lending market by offering more than just competitive rates and compensation. At RFA Bank of Canada, we are committed to delivering exceptional service through secure, innovative technology solutions while maintaining the highest standards of regulatory compliance and data protection.
The Opportunity
We’re looking to fill a Chief Information Officer position at RFA Bank of Canada!
We are seeking an experienced technology leader to serve as our Chief Information Officer. This role will drive our technology strategy, digital transformation, and IT operations while providing executive oversight of our cybersecurity program led by our Chief Information Security Officer (CISO). Reporting directly to the CEO, this executive will be a key member of our leadership team and will present regularly to the Board of Directors.
Core Responsibilities
**As the Chief Information Officer, you will:**Technology Leadership & Strategy:
- Develop and execute a comprehensive technology strategy aligned with business objectives and growth plans
- Oversee all IT operations, infrastructure, systems, and applications
- Lead digital transformation initiatives to enhance customer experience and operational efficiency
- Manage relationships with technology vendors, service providers, and outsourced partners
- Drive innovation in digital banking, fintech partnerships, and emerging technologies
- Ensure high availability, reliability, and performance of all technology systems
- Develop and manage the technology budget
- Build and lead a high-performing IT organization, including oversight of the CISO, security team and RFA Bank’s development team
- Champion a culture of technology excellence, innovation, and continuous improvement
Security Program Oversight:
- Provide executive leadership and strategic direction to the CISO
- Ensure cybersecurity strategy aligns with and enables business objectives
- Review and approve enterprise security policies, standards, and risk tolerance
- Oversee security budget allocation and resource prioritization
- Support the CISO in escalations, crisis management, and incident response
- Ensure integration of security requirements into all technology initiatives
- Balance security requirements with business needs and user experience
- Present unified technology and security strategy to Board and executive leadership
Compliance & Governance:
- Ensure adherence to OSFI Guidelines B-10, B-13, E-21, and other regulatory requirements
- Oversee compliance with PIPEDA, FINTRAC, provincial privacy regulations, and industry standards
- Support audit and regulatory examinations related to technology, IT governance and IT security
- Maintain IT governance framework and decision-making processes
- Report regularly to Board of Directors on technology strategy, operations, and security posture
- Oversee data governance, retention, and privacy programs
Operational Excellence:
- Provide executive leadership while managing IT service delivery, development, and support functions
- Optimize technology operations for efficiency and cost-effectiveness
- Lead major technology projects and system implementations
- Ensure RFA Bank’s outsourced operational partnerships are optimizing data sharing for efficiency and cost-effectiveness
- Ensure effective change management and project governance
- Establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) and service level agreements (SLAs)
- Drive continuous improvement in IT processes and capabilities
Business Partnership:
- Serve as trusted technology advisor to CEO and executive leadership team
- Translate complex technology concepts into business value and strategic outcomes
- Partner with business leaders to understand needs and deliver enabling solutions
- Lead technology due diligence for partnerships, mergers, or acquisitions
- Foster innovation and explore emerging technologies for competitive advantage
What You’ll Need to Succeed
Education & Certification
- Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, or related field (Master’s preferred)
- Professional certifications valued: ITIL, PMP, TOGAF, or cloud certifications
- Security awareness certifications beneficial but not required (CISM, CISSP as additional credentials)
Experience
- Minimum 15+ years of progressive IT leadership experience
- Minimum 7+ years in senior IT leadership roles (Director level or above)
- Minimum 5+ years in financial services or highly regulated industry
- Proven track record leading technology strategy and digital transformation
- Experience managing cybersecurity leaders and security programs
- Experience managing budgets and teams of employees
- Demonstrated success in regulatory examinations and audits
- Experience working with Boards of Directors and audit/risk committees
Technical Knowledge
- Broad understanding of enterprise IT architecture, infrastructure, and operations
- Knowledge of core banking systems, payment platforms, and financial technology
- Understanding of cloud platforms (Azure, AWS, Google Cloud) and SaaS solutions
- Familiarity with cybersecurity principles, frameworks, and best practices
- Knowledge of data management, analytics, and business intelligence
- Understanding of software development methodologies and application lifecycle
- Experience with IT service management and ITIL practices
Regulatory & Compliance Knowledge
- Strong understanding of OSFI regulatory framework and technology expectations
- Knowledge of PIPEDA and provincial privacy legislation
- Familiarity with FINTRAC requirements and technology controls
- Understanding of Canadian payments ecosystem (Payments Canada, Interac, Lynx)
- Awareness of emerging regulations including open banking initiatives
- Experience navigating regulatory examinations and responding to findings
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience in organizations of similar size and complexity
- Previous interaction with OSFI or other Canadian financial regulators
- Experience with mergers, acquisitions, or integration projects
- Track record of innovation and thought leadership in fintech
- Experience managing through significant technology modernization or transformation
- Background in both infrastructure and application development domains
What Sets You Apart
- Exceptional leadership and executive presence
- Proven ability to build, develop, and retain high-performing teams
- Strong business acumen with ability to align technology with strategic objectives
- Excellent communication skills with ability to present to board, executives, and technical teams
- Strategic thinking balanced with tactical execution and delivery
- Strong stakeholder management and relationship-building capabilities
- Crisis management and decision-making under pressure
- Change management and organizational transformation experience
- Vendor negotiation and contract management expertise
- Collaborative leadership style with ability to work across functions
Our Values and What We Offer at RFA
At RFA, we live by our core values. These values guide our daily actions and shape our work culture:
- Accountability: You take ownership of your work & its consequences. You always consider risk & make informed decisions.
- Selflessness: You share info & teach others. You’re able to put your ego aside & understand that the best idea wins.
- Inclusivity: You value differing viewpoints & experiences. You understand how this can drive growth & innovation.
- Innovation: You seek opportunity & embrace change. You see tech as a way to enhance productivity & drive profitability.
- Courage: You make tough decisions in our best interest. You see opportunity when faced with challenge or adversity.
- Impact: You value results & your contributions. You rise to the occasion and never settle for sub-par.
- Performance: You embody a competitive spirit, desire to win and strive for executional excellence.
Along with a strong work culture, RFA offers a comprehensive benefits package, including:
- Competitive compensation package of base salary plus performance bonus
- Comprehensive benefits including health, dental, vision, and wellness programs
- Retirement savings plan with employer matching
- Professional development and continuing education support
- Flexible work arrangements
- Opportunity to shape technology strategy for a growing organization
- Collaborative executive team and supportive board
- Leadership of a dedicated team including CISO and IT professionals
Ready to take the next step?
If this opportunity excites you and aligns with your skills and aspirations, we’d love to hear about how you can contribute to our team at RFA.
Accessibility
Accommodation is available upon request for applicants and employees with disabilities. If you are contacted for a job opportunity, please advise us of any accommodations needed to ensure you have access to a fair and equitable process. Any information received relating to accommodation will be addressed confidentially.