Operations Data Practice Lead

Job Title

Operations Data Practice Lead

The Role

Department:  Operations, UK Personal Investor
Reports to: Head of Operations, UK Personal Investor

At Vanguard, we are committed to giving investors the best chance of investment success. We are seeking an experienced data leader to establish and mature UK Personal Investor’s (UKPI) data governance, quality and data management capabilities.

Reporting into UKPI Operations leadership, the Operations Data Quality & Management Lead will provide strategic leadership for data across UKPI Operations. The role will partner closely with business leaders, technology teams and the Chief Data & Analytics Office (CDAO) to ensure data is trusted, governed and leveraged effectively to improve client outcomes, strengthen controls and support business growth.

The successful candidate will be responsible for driving data ownership, improving data quality, embedding governance practices and enabling data-driven decision making across the UKPI business.

In this role you will

Core Responsibilities

Lead Operations Data Strategy and Governance

• Define and embed the UKPI Operations data practice, aligning priorities to service performance, client outcomes, risk management, control effectiveness and regulatory obligations

• Establish clear data ownership, stewardship, governance routines and decision rights for critical Operations data across Transfers, Financial Crime Operations, Trading, Payments, Onboarding and Account Management

• Represent Operations data requirements in relevant governance forums, ensuring operational reporting, MI and control data are trusted, consistent and fit for oversight

Drive Data Quality and Control

• Define data quality standards, critical data elements, controls and monitoring routines for priority operational processes

• Lead identification, prioritisation and remediation of data issues, ensuring root causes, impacts, owners and actions are clearly managed through to closure

• Develop data health measures, reporting and escalation pathways to provide transparency on data quality, control gaps and remediation progress

Partner Across the Business

• Partner with UKPI Business partners, Risk, Compliance, Technology and CDAO to translate operational needs into clear data requirements and sustainable solutions

• Act as the primary point of contact for UKPI Operations data governance, quality and management matters

• Influence senior stakeholders to adopt agreed data standards, resolve ownership gaps and embed consistent ways of working

Enable Better Business Decisions

• Improve the availability, usability and interpretation of Operations data to support performance management, risk oversight, regulatory reporting and strategic decision-making

• Support strategic initiatives by providing data governance, lineage, quality and reporting expertise from design through to delivery

Build Capability

• Build data literacy and awareness of governance responsibilities across UKPI Operations

• Embed a sustainable operating model that can scale with business growth, regulatory expectations and operational complexity

What it takes

Minimum Experience

• Significant experience leading data governance, data management or data strategy functions within a regulated financial services environment

• Strong understanding of data quality frameworks, data ownership models and governance practices

• Experience influencing senior stakeholders across business and technology functions

• Experience delivering organisational change and embedding new operating models

Preferred

• Experience within wealth management, asset management, platform operations or retail investing

• Familiarity with Consumer Duty, Operational Resilience, Financial Crime and CASS obligations

• Knowledge of Collibra, data lineage, metadata management and enterprise governance tooling

• Experience working with data analytics and business intelligence teams

Special Factors 

• Vanguard is not offering visa 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)

• Please note that we review applications on a rolling basis and may close this role early if there is a high level of interest. To avoid missing out, we recommend applying as soon as possible

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.

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.