Wealth Management Research, Senior Specialist
Vanguard is seeking a highly experienced Senior Manager, Wealth Management Research to serve as a thought leader in wealth management, financial planning, and taxation. This individual will lead and conduct original research that shapes Vanguard’s investment perspectives, strengthens our industry leadership, and informs advice delivered to clients, prospects, and advisors.
The successful candidate will possess deep expertise in household tax planning, estate planning, and financial planning strategies, as well as the ability to translate complex research into actionable insights and thought leadership. This role will partner closely with senior leaders across the organization, provide guidance to research analysts, and contribute to the evolution of Vanguard’s investment methodologies.
What You'll Do:
Drive Industry-Leading Research
- Lead sophisticated quantitative and qualitative research focused on wealth management, financial planning, and taxation.
- Develop innovative perspectives and recommendations that strengthen Vanguard’s position as an industry thought leader.
- Initiate and manage research projects that advance Vanguard’s external market presence and intellectual capital.
Influence Investment Strategy
- Evaluate complex investment and financial planning topics, providing informed recommendations supported by rigorous analysis.
- Contribute to the ongoing enhancement of Vanguard’s investment methodologies through detailed reviews, audits, and recommendations.
- Identify emerging trends, challenges, and opportunities that may influence client outcomes and investment strategy.
Create and Communicate Thought Leadership
- Produce high-quality research papers, presentations, white papers, and other thought leadership content for clients, prospects, advisors, senior leadership, and media audiences.
- Clearly articulate the benefits, tradeoffs, and implications of various financial planning, tax, and portfolio construction approaches.
- Represent Vanguard’s perspectives through compelling, evidence-based communication.
Provide Subject Matter Leadership
- Serve as a trusted internal authority on wealth management and investment strategy topics.
- Consult with senior business leaders to identify research priorities and address strategic questions.
- Maintain and expand a repository of research and insights for cross-functional use across the organization.
Develop Talent and Collaboration
- Mentor and guide investment analysts on research design, methodology, and interpretation.
- Participate in collaborative forums designed to evaluate investment issues, debate emerging topics, and identify future research opportunities.
- Contribute to special projects and strategic initiatives as needed.
Required Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in Finance, Economics, Financial Planning, Taxation, or a related field.
- Minimum 8 years of relevant experience, including significant experience conducting wealth management or financial planning research.
- Academic / White paper style research.
- Deep expertise in:
- Household tax planning
- Estate planning
- Wealth management and financial planning strategies
- Portfolio construction and investment advice
- Strong analytical, research, and written communication skills.
- Demonstrated ability to translate complex research into practical insights and recommendations for diverse audiences.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Graduate degree in Financial Planning, Taxation, Economics, Finance, or a related discipline.
- LL.M. in Taxation, Master of Science in Taxation, or similar advanced degree strongly preferred.
- Professional designation such as CPA or CFP® preferred.
- Experience with utility-based lifecycle financial planning models.
- Peer-reviewed publications and demonstrated thought leadership within wealth management, taxation, or financial planning disciplines.
- Experience presenting to senior executives, advisors, clients, or industry audiences.
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, Economics, Financial Planning, Taxation, or related field
- Minimum 8 years of relevant experience in wealth management or financial planning research
- Experience conducting academic / white paper style research
- Deep expertise in household tax planning
- Deep expertise in estate planning
- Deep expertise in wealth management and financial planning strategies
- Deep expertise in portfolio construction and investment advice
- Strong analytical, research, and written communication skills
- Ability to translate complex research into practical insights for diverse audiences
- Graduate degree in Financial Planning, Taxation, Economics, Finance, or related discipline
- LL.M. in Taxation, Master of Science in Taxation, or similar advanced degree
- Professional designation such as CPA or CFP
- Experience with utility-based lifecycle financial planning models
- Peer-reviewed publications and demonstrated thought leadership in wealth management, taxation, or financial planning
- Experience presenting to senior executives, advisors, clients, or industry audiences
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.
