Investment Compliance Specialist

The successful candidate will support engagement with IMG, providing proactive and pragmatic advice and guidance on governance, regulatory compliance and conduct matters relevant to Vanguard’s the strategic and operational priorities of the business, consistent with Vanguard’s board approved risk-appetite.

Primary Location:         25 Walbrook, London

Working Pattern- Hybrid (Tuesday - Thursday office)

Vanguard’s purpose is to take a stand for all investors, to treat them fairly and to give them the best chance of investment success.  With a rapidly growing business in Europe, we are seeking a proactive, commercially minded, experienced Compliance professional to partner with Vanguard’s Investment Management Group (IMG), with a primary focus on fixed income expertise.

IMG is responsible for portfolio management and trading across a number of asset types including Equity, Fixed Income, and FX. Our Fixed Income Team capabilities span both active and index funds, covering the entire fixed income universe from government securities to corporate bonds across developed and emerging markets, including money market funds.

Summary of Role

With an ambition of continued growth across Europe and a core objective of delivering superior outcomes to our customers and clients, an exciting opportunity has arisen for a compliance specialist to join our Investment Management Compliance Advisory team. The successful candidate will support engagement with IMG, providing proactive and pragmatic advice and guidance on governance, regulatory compliance matters relevant to Vanguard’s investment management activities.

This position will report directly into the Head of Investments and Product Compliance and will join a team of expert compliance professionals supporting the European IMG team.  

The IMG team is London based; collaboration with colleagues in US and Australia offices is essential for the success of the role. The successful candidate will also collaborate and support Compliance colleagues in other teams.

Our second line of defence Compliance Advisory team are trusted advisers and we are pro-active in our understanding of the business functions, their strategic goals and initiatives. You will provide guidance and oversight of investment-related regulations impacting fixed income trading on matters related to portfolio management and execution such as best execution, allocations, crossings, derivative use, trade/transaction reporting, portfolio management, investment restrictions, and broader UCITS and ETF matters.

Our ideal candidate will have at least seven years relevant experience with a leading investment manager and will have a track record of providing commercial and value-adding regulatory advice, in collaboration with the Investment team, Risk and Legal colleagues as required. The successful candidate will exhibit strong partnership, technical and relationship management skills and the ability to build trust with stakeholders.

Core Responsibilities

• Provide the Investment Management business with guidance and advice on investment-related regulations impacting trading and portfolio management activities, with specific focus on Fixed Income active and indexing desks.
• Advise on and overseeing new business initiatives from a Compliance perspective.
• Provide Compliance participation in Compliance or business-driven projects, including regulatory developments and strategic initiatives.
• Advise on and interpreting regulation on Vanguard global and local policies in relation to investment decisions, issues and potential breaches.
• Liaise with other IMG Compliance Advisory teams based in Malvern, U.S. and Melbourne, Australia on global issues.
• Build and maintain stakeholder relationships with IMG, the risk team (RMG), other members of the Office of the General Counsel (Compliance, Legal, Investment Stewardship and Government Relations) and other teams supporting the operations of Vanguard’s funds.
• Provide advice on the anticipation, impact assessment and response to regulatory developments.
• Design and delivering effective regulatory training initiatives to the business.
• Maintain a deep knowledge and awareness of the investment industry. Stay abreast of current market, regulatory and industry relevant news.
• Contribute to the creation of management reporting and communication on Compliance matters to senior management, business stakeholders, Boards and governance bodies such as Oversight Committees.

What it takes

• A minimum of 7 years related work experience, within an asset management compliance function, with a preference for Fixed Income desk coverage.
• A curious mindset, commercial, tenacious, lateral thinking and relationship orientated
• Strong knowledge of UCITS products and EU / UK MiFID investment regulations.
• Undergraduate degree or equivalent combination of training and experience.
• Ability to work well as part of a team and independently.
• Ability to develop a broad understanding of Vanguard’s business and the investment industry (including understanding of ETF funds).
• Detailed knowledge and understanding of trading fixed income instruments and broader understanding of variety of asset types.
• Positive relationship management skills, including ability to interact with individuals at various levels both internally and outside the company.
• Proven ability to function in a fast-paced environment while managing multiple and diverse responsibilities and keeping to deadlines.
• Excellent judgment and decision-making skills; ability to analyse and respond to issues.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Willingness to assist in areas outside of direct assignments when necessary, and commitment to self-improvement and completion of team objectives.
• High degree of familiarity with regulatory environment and a genuine desire to continually develop such knowledge.

Special Factors

Vanguard is not offering sponsorship for this position.

How We Work

Vanguard has implemented a hybrid working model for most of our crew members, designed to capture the benefits of enhanced flexibility while enabling in-person learning, collaboration, and connection. Most teams work Tuesday-Thursday in the office, but for some jobs we need our crew to be in Monday-Friday. We will discuss the working pattern for your role during the interview process.

Inclusion Statement

Vanguard’s continued dedication to diversity and inclusion is firmly rooted in our culture. Every decision we make to best serve our clients, crew (internally employees are referred to as crew), and communities is guided by one simple statement: “Do the right thing”.

We believe that a critical aspect of doing the right thing requires building diverse, inclusive, and highly effective teams of individuals who are as unique as the clients they serve. We empower our crew to contribute their distinct strengths to achieving Vanguard’s core purpose through our values.

When all crew members feel valued and included, our ability to collaborate and innovate is amplified, and we are united in delivering on Vanguard's core purpose.

Our core purpose: To take a stand for all investors, to treat them fairly, and to give them the best chance for investment success.

How We Work

Vanguard has implemented a hybrid working model for the majority of our crew members, designed to capture the benefits of enhanced flexibility while enabling in-person learning, collaboration, and connection. We believe our mission-driven and highly collaborative culture is a critical enabler to support long-term client outcomes and enrich the employee experience.