Senior Compliance Associate

As a Senior Compliance Associate, you will play a pivotal role in a dynamic and expanding compliance team at the heart of Vanguard’s mission to deliver robust, scalable, and effective compliance oversight. This is a unique opportunity to help shape the second line of defence, ensuring our business continues to grow and scale while maintaining the highest standards of regulatory compliance and operational excellence.

You will act as a trusted compliance business partner to the Vanguard Financial Advisor Services (FAS), providing expert regulatory advice to the first line on regulatory matters relating to sales and distribution, marketing, and operational arrangements. Your work will directly support strategic business change, regulatory initiatives, and the embedding of a strong compliance culture across the organization.

As part of our growing international compliance team, you’ll be at the forefront of safeguarding our clients and enabling sustainable business growth. Join us to play a central role in strengthening our compliance function, empowering teams, and supporting the continued growth and success of FAS.

In this role you will

• Serve as a compliance business partner for the Vanguard Financial advisor services  (FAS) wholesale distributions teams, advising on sales and distribution, marketing, and operational arrangements, including regulatory and strategic business change

• Provide Compliance advice and oversight on bilateral arrangements with third parties to distribute Vanguard funds and solutions – in the UK and across Europe

• Approve financial promotions in line with relevant regulations including jurisdictional specific requirements

• Contribute to building an effective and comprehensive compliance framework to support the first line including writing guidance and providing training as necessary

• Provide subject matter expertise on the relevant local rules as applicable

• Demonstrate a strong understanding of mutual funds and ETF structures, as well as distribution arrangements with third parties, including for model portfolio services

• Collaborate with first line teams to embed compliance risk management frameworks, conduct compliance risk assessments, and support incident management

• Represent Compliance at internal committees and forums, engaging confidently with senior management and staff at all levels

• Proactively identify, assess, and mitigate compliance risks, supporting the business in delivering compliant growth and innovation

What it takes

• Significant experience as a compliance business partner within a wholesale distribution or similar regulated environment

• Experience of approving financial promotions for an asset manager, ideally in the UK and the EU

• Deep knowledge of UCITs, Mifid and FCA regulation related to wholesale the distribution of Vanguard products and services

• Demonstrable experience advising on regulatory change, business transformation, and operational arrangements

• Strong understanding of mutual funds, ETFs, and distribution channels – with a focus on the UK, but potentially involving other European jurisdictions.

• Experience working with first line teams to embed compliance frameworks and manage risk

• Ability to analyse complex regulatory requirements and deliver clear, actionable advice

• Excellent problem-solving skills, with a proactive mindset and the ability to work independently or as part of a team

• Confident communicator, comfortable engaging with senior management and representing Compliance at internal forums

Special Factors

• Vanguard is not offering sponsorship for this position

• This is a hybrid position and would require you to work in the office 3 days per week (Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday) 

This role encompasses activities that fall within the remit of UK Financial Conduct Authority (‘FCA’) regulation. The successful candidate will therefore be subject to UK regulatory requirements in relation to conduct rules, regulatory references and the assessment of fitness and propriety, knowledge, experience and competence. Where appropriate, the role may also be subject to approval by the UK FCA.

Why Vanguard? 

Vanguard is a different kind of investment company. It was founded in the United States in 1975 on a simple but revolutionary idea: that an investment company should manage its funds solely in the interests of its clients. 

This is a philosophy that has helped millions of people around the world to achieve their goals with low-cost, uncomplicated investments. 

It's what we stand for: value to investors. 

Inclusion Statement  

Vanguard’s continued commitment to diversity and inclusion is firmly rooted in our culture. Every decision we make to best serve our clients, crew (internally employees are referred to as crew), and communities is guided by one simple statement: “Do the right thing.”  

We believe that a critical aspect of doing the right thing requires building diverse, inclusive, and highly effective teams of individuals who are as unique as the clients they serve. We empower our crew to contribute their distinct strengths to achieving Vanguard’s core purpose through our values. 

When all crew members feel valued and included, our ability to collaborate and innovate is amplified, and we are united in delivering on 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.

Our commitment to equal employment opportunity 

Vanguard is an equal opportunity employer. Vanguard is committed to providing all crew members a working environment that is free from discrimination, prejudice and bias. Through this Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy, Vanguard reaffirms its commitment to equal employment opportunity for all applicants and crew members without regard to race, color, national origin or ancestry, religion, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, marital status, veteran or military status. In addition, Vanguard prohibits discrimination based on genetic information, as well as any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law.

Applicants with disabilities may be entitled to reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act and certain state or local laws. A reasonable accommodation is a change in the way things are normally done which will ensure an equal employment opportunity without imposing undue hardship on Vanguard. Please inform [email protected] if you need assistance completing this application or to otherwise participate in the application process.

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.