Senior Compliance Director

Financial integrity from the inside out

Vanguard’s core purpose is to take a stand for all investors, to treat them fairly, and to give them the best chance for investment success.  Known for our strong ethical business practices and client focus, Vanguard has a vibrant and multi-faceted business.  In support of our innovative and highly regulated business lines, Vanguard’s Compliance Department encounters a wide range of complex and compelling issues while providing exceptional, high-value business partnership and compliance support.  In addition, Vanguard is an employer of choice that continually invests in the growth, development, and success of its employees over the course of their Vanguard careers.

To support its growing and evolving service offerings, Vanguard is seeking a highly skilled senior compliance professional to lead strategic compliance support related to business initiatives and new product launches. The ideal candidate will have Investment Advisers Act, Regulation Best Interest experience, including experience with ERISA/DOL retirement account servicing, and a minimum of 8 years of supporting retail and retail investment advice / wealth management businesses. Broad knowledge of broker-dealer, banking, and trust company regulations will complement the required skills.

As a trusted leader, the Head of Retail Regulatory Enablement, will also provide strategic direction to a dynamic team of compliance professionals focused on Vanguard’s Advice and Wealth Management businesses.  The team is charged with building, maintaining, and enhancing an evergreen and comprehensive compliance program for Vanguard’s investment advisor business. Working for the Chief Compliance Officer, this compliance leader, directly and through a team, will support business operations and initiatives, identify, and respond to ongoing regulatory changes, and implement required policies and procedures inclusive of appropriate operational and supervisory oversight within the business. 

The Senior Compliance Director, Head of Retail Regulatory Enablement will:

• Act as a strategic leader to a team of compliance professionals to provide compliance thought leadership, partnership, and guidance within the implementation and support of business initiatives, new product launches, and corresponding regulatory framework design and implementation.
• Maintain and cultivate a team-oriented culture for efficiently and effectively managing regulatory risks, by fostering strong relationships between, and with, business leaders, the Legal Department, Compliance Department colleagues, global partners, and other control groups.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to Vanguard’s retail advice, wealth management, and brokerage businesses. Work collaboratively with the businesses, including centralized supervision, to develop policies, procedures and controls designed to ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
• Adopt and implement best practices to ensure optimal effectiveness of management and mitigation of regulatory and compliance risks, including driving collaboration and efficiencies between relevant compliance teams and partners throughout the enterprise.
• Lead, manage, and participate in compliance oversight efforts and projects within Vanguard’s ecosystem to protect Vanguard’s reputation and clients.  Utilize risk management techniques and business area knowledge to develop, maintain and periodically test relevant policies and procedures.
• Represent the Compliance Department in various committees and lead discussions related to effective conflicts of interest management, risk identification, control design, and issues remediation as well as apprising of newest industry / regulatory developments.
• Develop, maintain and demonstrate expert understanding of all regulations that are applicable to Vanguard’s brokerage, advice and wealth management businesses; monitor developments, proposed rule changes and amendments in applicable rules and regulations, assess the potential impact to Vanguard’s operations, and coordinate implementation of rules that are adopted or finalized.
• As appropriate, act as a liaison with regulators and impacted business areas by preparing for meetings and coordinating the gathering and production of requested documents in connection with examinations or other regulatory inquiries.
• Hire, evaluate, and supervises crew. Provides guidance and training as necessary to develop crew. Sets performance standards, reviews performance, and makes informed compensation decisions in accordance with all applicable Human Resources policies and procedures.
• Seeks to continually assess and enhance compliance practices specific to the business unit. Directs team activities and partners closely with business unit leaders during the implementation of compliance standards and practices with respect to business initiatives and new product launches.

What it takes:

• A deep and varied understanding of financial markets and products.
• Advanced knowledge of FINRA, SEC, state, banking, and trust company regulations and other regulatory requirements applicable to investment advisors, broker-dealers and trust services holding retail investor securities.
• Ability to work under pressure on multiple tasks concurrently and meet deadlines in a fast-paced work environment.
• Mastery of appropriate interpersonal styles and ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with all levels within the enterprise.
• Ability to provide leadership and professional guidance to a geographically dispersed team, with the ability to attract, advance and retain top talent.
• A partnership-focused philosophy to accomplish objectives.
• This job may require regulatory license and/or registration (e.g. FINRA, state). These will be determined by Compliance based on role-specific duties. (Series 7, 24 or 65, 66). (must obtain within 6 months if not currently held).

Special Factors

Sponsorship

Vanguard is not offering visa sponsorship for this position.

About Vanguard

At Vanguard, we don't just have a mission—we're on a mission.

To work for the long-term financial wellbeing of our clients. To lead through product and services that transform our clients' lives. To learn and develop our skills as individuals and as a team. From Malvern to Melbourne, our mission drives us forward and inspires us to be our best.

Our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion

Vanguard’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) is central to our ability to deliver on our mission. We aspire to create a work environment that is inclusive, equitable, and diverse—one that enables our employees, whom we call crew, to thrive and bring their best selves to work every day on behalf of our clients.

Cultivating DEI lifts our entire organization, and everyone shares accountability for our progress—from our senior leaders who lay the foundation and set the example for inclusive behaviors to crew who are growing in their personal DEI learning experiences.

Together, we’re on a mission. We are fueled by the value of diverse voices and connected through friendships and a culture of care—for our clients, our communities, and each other.    

Vanguard’s DEI journey has no finish line. Our commitment is enduring, and we remain focused on the path ahead. To learn more about Vanguard goals and progress toward DEI, download our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Report.

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.