Role Summary
At Vanguard, we are advancing how data informs decision-making by developing deeper insight into how business actions drive client and operational outcomes. This role sits at the intersection of advanced analytics, product development, and business strategy, helping the organization move beyond describing what happened to understanding why it happened and what to do next.
As a Data Scientist, you will serve as a builder and architect of a decision product that integrates causal analysis, predictive modeling, and optimization to support high-impact business decisions. You will design the analytical engine that powers this product—defining how relationships are modeled, how uncertainty is quantified, and how outputs are generated for decision-making.
This role is well suited for someone who is technically rigorous, intellectually curious, and motivated by building analytical systems that operate in real-world environments.
Key Responsibilities
- Design and develop the analytical engine that underpins a decision product, including how relationships are modeled and outputs are generated
- Apply causal inference techniques across both experimental and non-experimental settings, including situations where randomized testing is not feasible, practical, or cost-effective
- Leverage predictive modeling and optimization approaches to support decision-making and scenario analysis
- Translate complex business questions into structured analytical frameworks and scalable solutions
- Build production-quality analytical components that integrate into decision systems and can be deployed in partnership with engineering teams
- Ensure model outputs are robust, interpretable, and appropriately reflect uncertainty and underlying assumptions
- Partner cross-functionally with product, engineering, and business stakeholders to align the analytical engine with user needs and decision workflows
- Continuously evaluate and improve modeling approaches to ensure accuracy, reliability, and business impact
Qualifications
- Master’s or PhD in a quantitative field such as statistics, economics, mathematics, data science, operations research, or a related discipline; or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience
- 5+ years experience applying advanced analytical techniques, including causal inference, predictive modeling, and/or optimization
- 5+ years experience using quasi-experimental or observational methods to evaluate business interventions in real-world settings
- Proficiency in Python, R, or similar tools, with the ability to write clean, scalable, and production-ready code
- Strong understanding of statistical modeling, inference, and data analysis
- Ability to design analytical frameworks that support decision-making under uncertainty
- Demonstrated ability to work effectively in cross-functional and ambiguous environments
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
- Master's or PhD in statistics, economics, mathematics, data science, operations research, or related field (or equivalent experience)
- 5+ years applying advanced analytical techniques including causal inference, predictive modeling, and/or optimization
- 5+ years using quasi-experimental or observational methods to evaluate business interventions
- Proficiency in Python, R, or similar tools with ability to write clean, scalable, production-ready code
- Strong understanding of statistical modeling, inference, and data analysis
- Ability to design analytical frameworks supporting decision-making under uncertainty
- Experience building production-quality analytical components and partnering with engineering teams for deployment
- Demonstrated ability to work effectively in cross-functional and ambiguous environments
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
