Model Governance Specialist

The Vanguard Group; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Office 3 days per week

Job summary

The Vanguard Group in London seeks an experienced model governance professional to support the enterprise-wide model risk framework. You will help develop, adopt and maintain policies, standards, and controls across evolving models, data and AI.

You will engage with stakeholders across Vanguard to align model risk practices with other frameworks and support governance with effective communications and training.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in a technical field (math, statistics, computer science, etc.).
• Experience developing enterprise-wide policies, standards and protocols in model risk, AI or related discipline.
• Deep knowledge of model risk frameworks (SR11-7, SS1/23); EU AI Act familiarity preferred.
• Exceptional written communication skills for diverse audiences, from technical staff to executives.
• Ability to effectively manage multiple and competing priorities.
• Experience in the financial services sector is a plus.
• Experience collaborating with a variety of stakeholder teams.

Responsibilities

• Support the development, adoption and maintenance of the model risk framework, including policies, standards, business processes and controls.
• Research and summarise industry trends to assess effectiveness as risks evolve.
• Coordinate with stakeholders to align model risk practices with other frameworks.
• Assist in delivering MRM trainings to Vanguard stakeholders.
• Prepare materials for Risk Committees, Audit Committees and the Board.
• Analyze model risk themes, emerging issues and performance data; provide clear summaries.
• Support responses for internal audit and external regulatory requests.
• Coordinate model inventory activities and attestations.
• Assist with calculation, monitoring and reporting of model risk appetite measures and KPIs.
• Contribute to team priorities and share knowledge.

Skills

Advanced degree

Model risk frameworks

Written communication

Prioritization

Financial services experience

Stakeholder collaboration

Education

Advanced degree in math/CS

Tools

AI frameworks

Job description

The Role

The Model Risk Management (MRM) Governance Team, part of Vanguard’s second line of defence, is seeking an experienced model governance professional to support the operation and ongoing development of the enterprise-wide model risk framework in an environment where models, data, and AI are rapidly evolving. The team ensures that models across the organisation are transparent, well governed, and aligned with global regulatory expectations. In this role, you will support the development, adoption and maintenance of the model risk framework, including policies, standards, business processes and controls. You will work closely with stakeholders across Vanguard to support alignment between model risk practices and other frameworks. This role places you at the forefront of how the models are governed - provides broad exposure to model risk governance and the opportunity to develop experience across emerging model, data and AI risks.

Responsibilities

• Support the development, adoption and maintenance of the model risk framework, including policies, standards, business processes and controls.
• Research and summarise industry trends to help the team assess whether the model risk framework remains effective and efficient as risks evolve.
• Coordinate with stakeholders across Vanguard to support alignment between model risk practices and Enterprise, Data, Technology, Operational and AI risk frameworks.
• Support in developing and delivering MRM trainings to stakeholders across Vanguard Committee and Management.
• Assist in preparing accurate, well-structured materials for Risk Committees, Audit Committees and the Board.
• Analyse model risk themes, emerging issues and model performance data, and prepare clear summaries for review.
• Support model risk responses and information requests for internal audit and external regulatory stakeholders.
• Coordinate model inventory activities, including data collection, quality checks and follow-up for enterprise-wide attestations.
• Assist with the calculation, monitoring and reporting of model risk appetite measures and associated Key Risk Indicators.
• Contribute to team priorities, share knowledge and take ownership of assigned governance activities.
• Build effective working relationships across the model risk community, including Developers, Owners, Validators, IT, Audit, AI and Enterprise Risk.
• Demonstrate transparency, accountability and a strong risk mindset in day-to-day work.

What it takes

• Advanced degree in a technical field such as math, statistics, computer science etc.
• Proven relevant working experience of developing enterprise-wide policies, standards and protocols in model risk, AI or a related discipline.
• Deep knowledge of model risk frameworks (SR11-7, SS1/23); experience with AI frameworks and the EU AI Act preferred.
• Exceptional written communication skills are required, including the ability to communicate complex model risk concepts to a range of audiences from technical practitioners to senior executives.
• Ability to effectively manage multiple and competing priorities.
• Experience in the financial services sector is a plus.
• Experience of collaborating with a variety of stakeholder 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).

This role encompasses activities that fall within the remit of UK Financial Conduct Authority (‘FCA’) regulation. The successful candidate will therefore be subject to UK regulatory requirements in relation to conduct rules, regulatory references and the assessment of fitness and propriety, knowledge, experience and competence. Where appropriate, the role may also be subject to approval by the UK FCA.

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.

Vanguard is a leading investment management company, serves individual investors, institutions, employer-sponsored retirement plans, and financial professionals. We have a diverse and talented crew with a culture that promotes teamwork, along with an unwavering focus on serving our clients' best interests.

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.