We are seeking a Lead Investment Risk & Controls Auditor to join our Internal Audit team. This role is responsible for owning end-to-end audit engagements across the investment lifecycle, providing independent challenge to front-, middle-, and back-office functions, and influencing stakeholders to strengthen the control environment.
This is a highly visible role requiring a balance of technical audit expertise, investment operations knowledge, and leadership capability. The ideal candidate brings hands-on experience leading audits within investment operations and fund accounting environments, along with the ability to drive outcomes—not just execute testing.
Key Responsibilities
Lead end-to-end audit engagements, including planning, scoping, execution, and reporting across investment-related processes
Provide independent challenge to business stakeholders across front office (portfolio management/trading), middle office (investment operations), and back office (fund accounting, NAV oversight)
Define audit scope, identify risks, and drive testing strategies, ensuring high-quality and efficient execution
Evaluate the design and operating effectiveness of controls, including NAV calculations, valuations, reconciliations, trade lifecycle processes, and income/expense accuracy
Identify control gaps and develop actionable, business-relevant recommendations
Clearly communicate findings to senior leadership, influencing stakeholders to implement improvements in complex or ambiguous environments
Lead multiple engagements concurrently and drive alignment across cross-functional stakeholders
Provide informal leadership and coaching to junior team members, including reviewing work and offering feedback
Support audit risk assessments and contribute to the development of the annual audit plan
Promote innovation through agile audit techniques and continuous improvement initiatives
Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, or related field; advanced degree or certification (CIA, CFA, FRM) preferred
8+ years of experience in financial services, within asset management, internal audit, or investment operations/risk
Experience leading or owning audit engagements, including planning, execution, and delivery of results
Strong applied knowledge of the investment lifecycle, with hands-on experience in one or more of the following areas: Fund accounting (NAVs, income, expenses), Valuation and pricing controls, Trade lifecycle and investment operations, Reconciliations and securities processing
Proven ability to identify control gaps, assess risk, and develop actionable recommendations
Demonstrated experience presenting to and influencing stakeholders, including senior leadership or front-office teams
Experience mentoring, reviewing, or guiding others’ work (formal or informal leadership)
Strong analytical, communication, and stakeholder management skills
Ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, dynamic environment
This position is hybrid and requires regular on-site presence 3 days per week in Malvern, PA.
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
- Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, or related field
- Advanced degree or certification (CIA, CFA, FRM)
- 8+ years of experience in financial services (asset management, internal audit, or investment operations/risk)
- Experience leading or owning audit engagements including planning, execution, and delivery
- Applied knowledge of the investment lifecycle: fund accounting (NAV, income, expenses), valuation/pricing controls, trade lifecycle, reconciliations, securities processing
- Proven ability to identify control gaps, assess risk, and develop actionable recommendations
- Experience presenting to and influencing stakeholders, including senior leadership and front-office teams
- Experience mentoring, reviewing, or guiding others' work (formal or informal leadership)
- Strong analytical, communication, and stakeholder management skills
- Ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, dynamic environment
- Hybrid work model: on-site presence required 3 days per week in Malvern, PA
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.
