Head of Board and Governance Legal Services

Vanguard; City of Westminster; Hybrid; GBP 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent investment management firm in the UK seeks a Head of Board & Governance Legal Services to provide strategic legal counsel and oversee governance across multiple boards. The ideal candidate will have significant in-house experience, strong leadership skills, and a deep understanding of corporate governance and regulatory frameworks. This pivotal position offers the opportunity to influence governance frameworks at scale while leading a high-performing team. The firm supports a hybrid working model that enriches employee collaboration and client outcomes.

Benefits

Hybrid working model

Leadership development opportunities

Employee collaboration programs

Qualifications

• Deep experience in corporate governance within regulated financial services.
• Ability to influence senior stakeholders in high-stakes environments.
• Expertise in UK/EU regulatory regimes.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal counsel on complex, multi-jurisdictional matters.
• Lead a diverse multi-location governance team.
• Design and implement governance training across European entities.

Skills

Corporate governance expertise

Leadership capability

Regulatory compliance

Communication skills

Strategic thinking

Education

Qualified lawyer

Job description

Overview

• Provide strategic legal and governance counsel on complex, multi-jurisdictional matters impacting Vanguard's European funds and regulated entities in the UK, Ireland, and Germany.
• Lead director and board engagement, ensuring high-trust relationships with independent directors, regional CEOs, and senior executives.
• Oversee exceptional company secretarial execution, ensuring board materials, processes, and operations meet the highest standards of professionalism and regulatory excellence.
• Champion governance innovation - embedding best practice, anticipating regulatory trends, and identifying opportunities for technological and AI-driven efficiency gains.
• Shape and deliver a forward-looking governance strategy that supports Vanguard's rapidly evolving European business and reinforces its reputation for stewardship, transparency, and client-first decision-making.
• Act as a key contributor to the strategic direction of the European Legal Team and the broader European OGC, modelling Vanguard's cultural values of inclusion, integrity, excellence, and curiosity.

Core Responsibilities

• Act as subject matter expert on corporate governance for boards and senior leaders, ensuring high-quality advice aligned to fiduciary and regulatory obligations.
• Lead, develop, and empower a diverse multi-location governance team managing high-profile, sensitive board matters.
• Drive a culture of excellence, inclusion, and continuous improvement across all governance and company secretarial operations.
• Maintain and strengthen relationships with directors, executives, and regulators, serving as a trusted and influential senior stakeholder.
• Oversee delivery of high-quality board materials and ensure governance processes are robust, timely, and aligned with best practice.
• Identify and implement enhancements to governance frameworks, including technology-driven optimisation and forward-looking regulatory readiness.
• Design and implement a tailored board training and industry insights programme to strengthen director oversight across all European entities.
• Stay at the forefront of governance trends across the UK, European, and global regulatory landscapes - ensuring Vanguard remains resilient, compliant, and strategically positioned.
• Contribute to enterprise-wide initiatives and special projects as a senior leader within the European Legal organisation.

Qualifications

• Qualified lawyer with deep experience in corporate governance within regulated financial services, ideally with significant in-house exposure.
• Proven ability to steer complex legal and governance matters with professionalism, judgement, and discretion.
• Demonstrated leadership capability - able to inspire teams, influence senior stakeholders, and maintain calm authority in high-stakes environments.
• Expertise in company law, entity management, regulatory compliance, and governance frameworks across UK/EU regulatory regimes.
• Strong executive presence with exceptional communication skills, enabling effective engagement with directors, C-suite leaders, and cross-functional teams.
• A forward-thinking mindset with the ability to identify emerging governance risks, societal expectations, and industry trends.

Benefits / Additional Information

• As Vanguard Europe continues its growth across the UK, Ireland, and Germany, this role serves as a pivotal leadership position shaping the future of governance across the region. As Head of Board & Governance Legal Services, you will be the principal legal adviser to multiple boards and a strategic enabler of Vanguard's mission to give investors the best chance for investment success.
• You will lead a high-performing team of legal and governance professionals, driving excellence in corporate governance, board operations, regulatory compliance, and director engagement across seven regulated entities.
• You will play a core leadership role in Vanguard's European Office of the General Counsel, collaborating closely with senior leaders across the region and with the US Office of the Corporate Secretary.
• This position offers a rare opportunity to influence governance frameworks at scale within one of the world's largest investment management firms, known globally for its investor-first ethos, integrity and commitment to long-term stewardship.
• 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.