Senior Payment Technical Advisor
Bank of Canada · Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- On site
- Full-time
- CA$208,020 / year
- Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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Job highlights
- Lead technical strategy for Canada's payment systems.
- Research emerging payment technologies and innovations.
- Translate technical insights into policy recommendations.
- Collaborate with industry partners and central banks.
- Requires Master's/PhD with 12+ years' experience.
About the role
The Role
As the Senior Payments Technical Advisor, you will provide strategic, technical, and analytical leadership in emerging payments technologies, innovations in financial market infrastructures, to help guide the evolution of Canada's payments and financial system.
You will play a central role in translating complex technical insights into policy recommendations. Your key responsibilities include:
- Provide high-level strategic advice to senior management on the future of domestic and global payments ecosystems, grounded in a deep understanding of payments technologies and FMIs.
- Conduct and guide in-depth technical research and experimentation to evaluate emerging trends and assess innovative technologies in payment systems.
- Lead or co-lead technology projects and pilots in collaboration with industry partners, other central banks, and the BIS Innovation Hub.
- Scope, set up, deliver, and monitor technical initiatives, ensuring alignment across policy, research, and technical teams.
- Provide intellectual and technical leadership to project teams, advising on system design, risk management, and execution through the development lifecycle.
- Synthesize cross-disciplinary insights, technical, policy, economic to produce clear, pragmatic policy recommendations for senior leadership.
- Prepare and deliver briefings and technical notes to support domestic and international engagements, including G20, G7, and CPMI working groups.
- Represent the Bank in domestic and international fora, communicating technical perspectives and promoting shared positions on global payments issues.
- Monitor global and domestic developments to identify risks, opportunities, and implications for payments infrastructures.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders across the payments ecosystem (other agencies, industry, academia, and vendors) to gather insights and advance the Bank’s objectives.
- Foster collaboration between policy analysts, researchers, and technologists across the Bank.
What You Need To Succeed
- Deep knowledge of payments technologies, digital assets, system architectures, and technical delivery processes.
- Strong understanding of the financial system, including FMIs, payment system risks, regulatory considerations, and technology trends.
- A proven ability to integrate technical insights into policy recommendations.
- Strong judgment in navigating trade-offs involving cost, risk, incentives, complexity, and technological maturity.
- Exceptional communication skills translating complex technical concepts for diverse audiences, including senior executives and external stakeholders.
- Experience leading or significantly contributing to the full lifecycle of major technology or payments infrastructure projects.
- Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple complex files concurrently.
Nice to Have
- Knowledge of AI, quantum, or other emerging technologies and their applications in payments and finance.
- Familiarity with economics or monetary policy concepts.
- Commercial or industry experience.
Your Education And Experience
This position requires a Master's or PhD in Computer Science or Electrical Engineering with a minimum of 12 years of experience in systems development and delivery, ideally in the payments industry. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
Innovative Mindset
We value candidates who demonstrate adaptability, curiosity, and a willingness to learn new technologies, including AI and digital tools. We seek individuals who can think critically about data, question existing processes, and find ways to simplify our work while embracing change and new ways of doing things.
Language Requirement
The Bank’s work environment is conducive to the use of both of Canada’s official languages - English and French. The position language requirement is Level 5 (Fully Functional). If a qualified candidate who meets the language requirement of the position is not found, a qualified candidate who does not meet the language requirement may be considered. Training may be provided to help reach the required level. Both bilingual and unilingual candidates are encouraged to apply.
What You Need To Know
- Priority will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents.
- Security level required: Be eligible to obtain Reliability.
- Relocation assistance may be provided, if required.
- Please save a copy of the job poster. Once the closing date has passed, it will no longer be available.
Hybrid Work Model
The Bank offers work arrangements that provide employees with flexibility, enable high-performing teams, and support an excellent workplace culture. Most employees can telework from home for a portion of each month as part of the Bank’s hybrid work model, and they are expected on site at the Bank location a minimum of 12 days per month to help build connections between colleagues. You must live in Canada, and within reasonable commuting distance of the office.
What You Can Expect From Us
This is a great opportunity to join a leading organization and be part of a high-performing team. We offer a competitive compensation and benefits package designed to meet your needs at every stage of your life and career. For more information on key benefits please visit A great deal to consider.
- Salaries are based on qualifications and experience and typically range from $208,020 to $244,730 (job grade 21).
- The Bank offers an incentive for successfully meeting expectations at 7 to 10% of your base salary. The Bank offers additional performance pay (5%) for those who exceed expectations. Exceptional performers who far exceed expectations may be eligible for higher performance pay.
- Flexible and comprehensive benefits so you can choose the level of health, dental, disability, and life and/or accident insurance coverage that meets your needs.
- Extra vacation days (up to five each year) that you can purchase to add to your vacation entitlement.
- Indexed, defined-benefit pension.
We wish to thank all applicants for their interest and effort in applying for this position. Only candidates selected for interviews will be contacted.
Key skills/competency
- Senior Payments Technical Advisor
- Payments technologies
- Financial market infrastructures (FMIs)
- Technical research
- Policy recommendations
- System design
- Risk management
- Stakeholder relationship management
- Project leadership
- Emerging technologies
Skills & topics
- Senior Payments Technical Advisor
- payments
- fintech
- financial infrastructure
- central banking
- technology
- policy
- innovation
- risk management
- system architecture
- Computer Science
- Electrical Engineering
- Canada
- Ottawa
- government
- public sector
How to get hired
- Tailor your resume: Emphasize your 12+ years of experience in systems development, payments industry, and technical project leadership. Highlight your Master's/PhD in Computer Science or Electrical Engineering.
- Showcase technical expertise: Detail your knowledge of payments technologies, digital assets, system architectures, FMIs, and risk management. Quantify your achievements in leading technology projects.
- Demonstrate policy integration: Provide examples of how you've translated complex technical insights into practical policy recommendations for senior management.
- Highlight communication skills: Prepare to explain intricate technical concepts clearly to diverse audiences, including executives and external stakeholders.
- Research the Bank of Canada: Understand their strategic priorities, innovation focus, and commitment to a stable Canadian economy.
Technical preparation
Behavioral questions
Frequently asked questions
- What is the salary range for the Senior Payments Technical Advisor at the Bank of Canada?
- The Senior Payments Technical Advisor position at the Bank of Canada has a salary range of $208,020 to $244,730 annually, based on qualifications and experience. Additionally, there's an incentive of 7-10% for meeting expectations and potential for 5% additional performance pay for exceeding expectations.
- What are the educational requirements for the Senior Payments Technical Advisor role at the Bank of Canada?
- The role requires a Master's or PhD in Computer Science or Electrical Engineering. An equivalent combination of education and experience may also be considered.
- Is this a remote position at the Bank of Canada?
- No, this is a hybrid role. While employees can telework for a portion of each month, they are expected on-site a minimum of 12 days per month. You must also live in Canada within a reasonable commuting distance of the Bank's location.
- What is the required experience for a Senior Payments Technical Advisor at the Bank of Canada?
- A minimum of 12 years of experience in systems development and delivery is required, ideally within the payments industry. Experience leading major technology or payments infrastructure projects is also crucial.
- What kind of technical knowledge is expected for the Senior Payments Technical Advisor role?
- You'll need deep knowledge of payments technologies, digital assets, system architectures, technical delivery processes, financial market infrastructures (FMIs), payment system risks, and relevant technology trends.
- Does the Bank of Canada offer relocation assistance for this role?
- Yes, relocation assistance may be provided if required for the Senior Payments Technical Advisor position.
- What is the security clearance required for this position?
- Candidates must be eligible to obtain a Reliability security clearance for the Senior Payments Technical Advisor role.
- How does the Bank of Canada approach innovation in payment systems?
- The Bank of Canada is actively investing in payments system research, technical experimentation, and policy development as a strategic priority. They collaborate with industry partners, other central banks, and initiatives like the BIS Innovation Hub to explore emerging technologies.