Head of Americas Investment Product Implementation

Job description

This is an opportunity to lead one of Vanguard’s most important product execution functions at a firm committed to taking a stand for all investors, treating them fairly, and giving them the best chance for investment success. In service of more than 50 million investors worldwide, Vanguard depends on disciplined, high-quality product implementation to turn strategy into reality across mutual funds, ETFs, CITs, and private market vehicles. As Head of Americas Investment Product Implementation , this leader will shape and lead execution across the Americas for new products, product changes, and product rationalizations, while partnering closely with counterparts in the U.K. and Australia. The role serves as the senior implementation partner to Portfolio Review Department and Investment Management Group leadership, Oversight & Manager Search, and enterprise partners including Finance, IT, Legal, Enterprise Growth, and the Enterprise Transformation Office. It translates decisions approved by the Global Investment Committee and Boards of Directors into precise, high-quality execution that preserves investment intent, protects client outcomes, and advances Vanguard’s global product ambitions. Core Responsibilities Lead a team of implementation leaders and specialists, hiring, evaluating, coaching, and developing talent while elevating investment acumen, technical depth, and execution quality. Own end-to-end delivery of Global Product Planning initiatives across the Americas, including new product development, changes to existing products, and product rationalizations across all Vanguard vehicle types. Direct the full implementation lifecycle from feasibility and readiness through launch and day 2 activities, ensuring portfolio mandates, benchmarks, guidelines, exposures, and structures are executed to portfolio manager intent. Ensure execution quality by protecting against unintended cash drag, benchmark misalignment, fee impacts, and other risks that could compromise client or investment outcomes. Oversee the Board of Directors fund event approval process and ensure approved decisions are translated into timely, accurate, and high-quality implementation. Shape departmental strategy, plans, tools, training, measurement techniques, and post-launch analysis to achieve short- and long-range objectives. Influence the annual Global Product Planning process by ensuring implementation feasibility, capacity, resource requirements, and risk are clearly identified and reflected in the Global Product Plan. ​ Drive continuous improvement in Vanguard’s global product implementation process, benchmarking against industry peers and best practices to strengthen execution. Build and sustain trust-based relationships with senior stakeholders across Vanguard and partner closely with U.K. and Australia implementation leaders to promote consistent standards, shared learning, and coordinated cross-regional execution. Maintain strong knowledge of industry, market, and company trends, and partner with investment and business leaders to develop insight on key concerns and opportunities. ​ Lead special projects and perform other duties as assigned. Characteristics for Success Strategic and execution-oriented leader who can move seamlessly from enterprise vision to operational detail Strong people leader who develops talent, raises standards, and builds organizational capability High-judgment decision-maker who can balance speed, precision, risk, and stakeholder needs Trusted cross-functional partner who builds credibility quickly and leads through influence Clear, concise communicator who can engage senior leaders and drive alignment across complex initiatives Improvement-minded operator who looks for better ways of working and scales best practices Deeply accountable leader with strong investor, client, and business orientation Resilient, adaptable, and comfortable leading through complexity, ambiguity, and change Qualifications Ten years related work experience, including five years experience in product management/implementation required. Supervisory experience preferred. Undergraduate degree or equivalent combination of training and experience. Graduate degree preferred. Special Factor Vanguard is not offering visa sponsorship for this position. 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.