The Business Risk & Governance Specialist is an individual contributor supporting business risk and governance activities within the Vendor Management Office of the Investment Management Group. The initial focus of the role is third party and vendor related business risk, working closely with investment, product, and operations teams to ensure key processes are well controlled, efficient, and resilient. As business evolves, the role may gradually expand to support additional business risk and governance activities across the department. This is a hands-on role suited for someone who enjoys applying governance frameworks directly to real business processes and improving how work gets done day to day.
Business Risk & Controls Development
Design, evaluate, and enhance risk and control frameworks by grounding them in actual business processes rather than static policy interpretation.
Assess the design effectiveness of controls—not just operating effectiveness—and recommend pragmatic enhancements aligned to business realities.
Identify gaps where existing policies or frameworks do not adequately address risk and propose fit‑for‑purpose solutions.
Third‑Party & Vendor Risk
Serve as the primary point of execution and design for third‑party and vendor risk activities, including onboarding, ongoing monitoring, and issue remediation.
Move beyond checklist‑based compliance by shaping how third‑party risk requirements are implemented, scaled, and sustained within the business.
Partner with stakeholders to embed vendor risk considerations into existing workflows rather than introducing parallel or duplicative processes.
Business Partnership & Translation
Operate as a trusted advisor within the business, working closely with front office, product, and operations teams.
Provide governance and risk input early during new vendor engagements, change initiatives, and process redesigns
Operational Governance & Execution
Execute and oversee key operational risk processes, using them as inputs to improve control design:
Financial reconciliations
License management
Usage audits and reporting
Issue tracking and remediation
MiFID II support
Use findings from day‑to‑day operations to inform improvements to governance, documentation, and control structures.
Broader Scope & Initiatives
Contribute to broader business risk and governance initiatives as scope evolves.
Participate in special projects requiring judgment, problem‑solving, and influence.
Required Qualifications
5+ years of experience in business risk, operational risk, controls, investment operations, vendor management, or related disciplines
Demonstrated experience developing, enhancing, or redesigning controls
Experience operating within the business (e.g., investment operations, product, data, or front‑office‑adjacent teams), with exposure to how processes actually function
Proven ability to translate business objectives and operating models into risk requirements, controls, and governance expectations
Experience working directly with vendors or third parties as part of regular responsibilities
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience
Preferred Qualifications
Experience shaping or improving third‑party or vendor risk management frameworks
Background in investment management, market data, or financial services operations
Comfort influencing stakeholders without formal authority
Advanced degree (Master’s) in a relevant discipline
This role is part of our hybrid work model with Tuesdays through Thursdays in office and Mondays and Fridays with the option to work remotely, or continue working from our Malvern PA office.
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.
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.
Skills Required
- 5+ years of experience in business risk, operational risk, controls, investment operations, vendor management, or related disciplines
- Demonstrated experience developing, enhancing, or redesigning controls
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience
Vanguard Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Vanguard and has not been reviewed or approved by Vanguard.
-
Retirement Support — Retirement support appears unusually strong through a 401(k) design that includes a match plus an additional employer contribution, which can materially lift long-term total rewards. HSA seeding and an enhanced employer match further strengthen the savings-and-benefits value of the package.
-
Wellbeing & Lifestyle Benefits — Wellbeing and lifestyle support is reinforced by a sizable annual FlexFund stipend that can be applied across many day-to-day categories such as fitness, childcare, and other personal expenses. On-site or virtual clinics and fitness options add practical health and wellness convenience.
-
Affordable Benefits — Healthcare and related benefits are positioned as comparatively affordable via heavily subsidized medical plans and broad coverage options. This affordability can offset moderate base pay for employees who place higher value on out-of-pocket cost reductions.
Vanguard Insights
What We Do
We are a community of 30 million who think – and feel – differently about investing. Together, we’re changing the way the world invests. Since our founding in 1975, helping our investors achieve their goals is our sole reason for existence. With no other parties to answer to and therefore no conflicting loyalties, we make every decision—like keeping investing costs as low as possible—with only your needs in mind. Vanguard is one of the world's largest investment companies, offering a large selection of high-quality low-cost mutual funds, ETFs, advice, and related services. Individual and institutional investors, financial professionals, and plan sponsors can benefit from the size, stability, and experience Vanguard offers. As of April 30, 2019, we managed more than $5.6 trillion in global assets. In addition, we have 189 funds in the United States and 225 funds in global markets. For Commenting Guidelines & Important information, visit here: http://vanguard.com/linkedin Vanguard Marketing Corporation, Distributor.
