Investment Stewardship Operations Manager

Leads a team responsible for supporting day-to-day investment stewardship operations and technology platforms to enable the corporate governance proxy voting program.

Vanguard’s Investment Stewardship program acts as a voice for our investors to promote strong corporate governance focused on long-term investment returns at the companies in which our funds invest. Our Investment Stewardship program is closely aligned with Vanguard’s core purpose “to take a stand for all investors, to treat them fairly, and to give them the best chance for investment success.” Investment Stewardship supports this mission by engaging with executive leadership teams and boards of directors of the companies in which the Vanguard-advised funds invest, as well as voting at shareholder meetings to make sure that investors’ interests are always a priority.

In this role, you will lead a team dedicated to supporting the operational, risk and control environments of Vanguard’s Investment Stewardship efforts. You will help set the vision for Vanguard's investment stewardship global operations, ensuring best-in-class governance and oversight of the team’s proxy voting capabilities. Your role will also involve integrating new funds and securities into stewardship operations, managing relationships with internal and external partners, and leading collaborations with data providers and vendors. Staying updated on industry developments and regulatory changes will be crucial to Vanguard’s ability to effectively steward assets on its clients’ behalf.

Core Responsibilities:

• Hire, evaluate, and supervise crew. Provide guidance and training as necessary to develop crew. Set performance standards, review performance, and make informed compensation decisions in accordance with all applicable Human Resources policies and procedures.

• Set the vision for Vanguard's investment stewardship operations and technology platforms to ensure best-in-class governance and proxy voting capabilities for Vanguard’s global equity holdings.

• Develop, implement, and monitor long term technology and process solutions to advance the impact of Vanguard’s stewardship activities. Work with internal and external partners to achieve department goals.

• Forecast and track potential volumes of proxy votes, engagements, and other activities.

• Understand and influence risk mitigation strategies, including establishing a control framework to manage risk and measure outcomes.

• Drive accurate and effective reporting on stewardship activity for key internal audiences and external stakeholders.

• Integrate new funds and securities into Vanguard's stewardship operations and technology platforms.

• Lead partnerships with internal and external data providers and vendors, ensuring accurate delivery and appropriate integration.

• Maintain awareness and promote adoption of global industry and technological advancements relevant to corporate governance and proxy voting.

• Partner with internal legal and compliance teams to understand relevant regulatory and legal impacts to Vanguard and issuers, keeping the team abreast of changes that impact operations or technology.

• Participate in special projects and performs other duties as assigned.
   

What it takes:

• Minimum of five years related work experience. Supervisory experience and investment operations or proxy voting operations experience preferred.

• Undergraduate degree or equivalent combination of training and experience. Graduate degree preferred.

• Experience in operationalizing processes and identifying areas for improvement is preferred.

• Strong business and investment acumen, including a demonstrated interest in investment stewardship topics, such as corporate governance, public policy and regulation.

• Strong work ethic with a proven ability to thrive in a fast paced, dynamic, and ambiguous environment.

• High attention to detail and proven track record of working with and managing multiple stakeholders.

• Able to prioritize effectively in response to evolving business needs.

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.