Director, Data Transformation & Strategic Operations

Director Data Transformation & Strategic Operations (M5)

Build the operating engine behind Vanguards data transformation

Come join the Enterprise Data Architecture & Engineering (EDA&E) organization within Vanguards Chief Technology Office (CTO) at a defining moment in Vanguards evolution to become an AIdriven organization.

Delivering on that ambition requires more than modern platforms and architecture it requires disciplined execution strong operating rhythms and enterprisegrade transformation leadership. This role exists to build and run that engine.

As Director Data Transformation & Strategic Operations you will sit at the intersection of strategy and execution ensuring Vanguards enterprise data initiatives are planned governed communicated and delivered with clarity rigor and impact. This is a rare opportunity to join at the ground floor of a multiyear transformation and help shape how the enterprise operates at scale.

Role Summary

The Director Data Transformation & Strategic Operations is accountable for the transformation control tower for EDA&E.

In this role you will:

• Orchestrate enterprisescale multiyear transformation delivery
• Run the operating rhythm of the EDA&E organization
• Manage strategic consulting partnerships
• Lead the chief of staff function for EDA&E leadership team
• Bring together portfolio delivery strategic planning organizational enablement and executive narrative into one cohesive function focused on execution excellence and measurable outcomes.
• Partner closely with enterprise architects engineering leaders data product leaders Finance HR and senior business stakeholders to ensure that Vanguards data and AI strategy translates into durable enterprise progress.

What You Will Do:

Enterprise Data Transformation Leadership

• Lead largescale multiyear crossdivisional data and technology transformation initiatives
• Translate enterprise priorities into integrated outcomebased EDA&E roadmaps spanning architecture platforms operating model change and adoption
• Serve as the central point of coordination for dependencies risks tradeoffs and execution decisions across a federated delivery ecosystem.

Strategic Operations & Operating Rhythm

• Own the operational backbone of the EDA&E organization
• Lead quarterly and annual business planning integrated roadmap development and investment sequencing.
• Define track and drive OKRs execution metrics and delivery outcomes
• Produce executiveready status reporting dashboards and decision narratives that surface progress risks and tradeoffs with clarity
• Lead QBR preparation and delivery ensuring coherent storytelling across strategy execution and outcomes
• Establish and continuously improve operating cadences forums and decision mechanisms that enable speed alignment and accountability

External Partner & Consulting Orchestration

• Lead and govern strategic external partner engagements
• Define scopes success criteria governance models and integration points for advisory and delivery engagements
• Ensure consulting efforts are tightly aligned to Vanguard priorities deliver measurable outcomes and result in sustained internal capability uplift
• Manage partner performance value realization and clean transitions from advisory to internal execution ownership

Organizational Enablement & Change

• Drive organizational enablement across the data transformation agenda including:
• Change management
• Communications and executive messaging
• Operating model evolution
• Org design and transformation support
• Ensure leaders and teams are equipped with the context clarity and tooling required to execute effectively.

Financial Governance & Controls

• Own enterprise transformation financials including multiyear budgeting forecasting resource allocation and cost management
• Ensure strong governance controls and audit readiness across the transformation portfolio
• Proactively identify risks constraints and tradeoffs surfacing decisionready options to senior leadership

People Leadership

• Build develop and lead a highperforming strategic operations and transformation team
• Set clear performance expectations provide coaching and development conduct performance reviews and make compensation decisions in alignment with HR policies
• Foster an enterprisefirst outcomesdriven culture focused on accountability clarity and execution excellence

What Makes This Role Unique

• A highvisibility enterprise leadership role at the center of Vanguards data and AI transformation
• Ownership of both execution discipline and organizational enablement not just delivery tracking
• Direct influence on how Vanguard plans operates communicates and executes
• Opportunity to build a modern transformation and strategic operations capability not a traditional PMO

Qualifications:

• Minimum of 10 years of relevant business experience including 6 years leading largescale technology data or platform transformations
• Demonstrated experience operating in highly matrixed federated and regulated enterprise environments
• Proven strength in strategic planning portfolio delivery and executive communication
• Strong financial acumen including program budgeting and investment governance
• Bachelors degree in a related field (e.g. Computer Science Engineering Information Systems) required; advanced degree preferred

A successful candidate will bring:

• An enterprisefirst executionoriented mindset
• Comfort operating at the intersection of strategy operations and leadership enablement
• The ability to create structure in ambiguity and clarity at scale
• Credibility with senior executives delivery leaders and external partners alike

Special Factors

Sponsorship

About Vanguard

At Vanguard we dont just have a missionwere 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.