Business Program Manager, Senior Specialist

Vanguard; Malvern (Chester County); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Collaborative work environment

Job summary

Vanguard in Malvern is searching for a Senior Leader in Operating Model to define and execute the Fund Tech Modernization initiative. This role is pivotal in aligning processes and governance across business and technology to ensure growth.

With a focus on driving enterprise-wide programs, the ideal candidate will possess strong leadership and stakeholder management skills, along with a minimum of 8 years of experience in program management within financial services.

The role offers a hybrid work model, emphasizing collaboration and flexibility in a mission-driven culture.

Qualifications

• Minimum 8 years of experience in program management or strategic initiatives.
• Strong leadership and communication skills required.
• Ability to manage interdependencies in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Define the enterprise target operating model and align leadership.
• Lead end-to-end operating model design across various functions.
• Influence senior stakeholders and drive adoption of the operating model.

Skills

Program management

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Risk control frameworks

Change management strategies

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration or related field

Master’s degree or PMP certification

Job description

The Senior Leader, Operating Model is responsible for defining and executing the Fund Tech Modernization target operating model across business, technology, and data domains. This role sets the vision for how the organization operates, ensuring alignment of processes, governance, capabilities, and organizational structure to enable strategic outcomes and scalable growth.

This is not a typical program role. You will drive a key workstream one of the firm’s largest, multi-year modernization initiatives—an enterprise-wide effort impacting hundreds of employees across business, technology, and operations. With significant investment and executive visibility, this program is reshaping the future operating model of finance.

If you’re ready to move beyond advising and truly drive transformation at scale—this is your opportunity to turn strategy into lasting impact.

This role leads multi-year programs with cross-divisional impact, applying deep expertise, structure and change management. These programs often have enterprise-wide implications. Develop program governance best practices and mentor project teams on adherence to methodologies and standards.

Core Responsibilities

• Operating Model Strategy & Vision: Defines the enterprise target operating model and aligns leadership on future-state direction and guiding principles
• Target State Design & Execution: Leads end-to-end operating model design, including processes, roles, governance, and supporting artifacts
• Cross-Functional Alignment & Governance: Establishes governance structures and drives alignment across business, technology, operations, and data functions
• Capability & Process Transformation: Identifies capability gaps and prioritizes improvements to enable scalable, standardized operations
• Integration with Business & Technology Strategy: Aligns operating model design with enterprise strategy and key platform transformations
• Risk, Controls & Resiliency: Embeds risk management, controls, and resiliency into the operating model design
• Leadership & Stakeholder Management: Influences senior stakeholders and leads cross-functional teams to drive adoption of the operating model
• Communication: Updates stakeholders, leaders, team members, management, and department partners to ensure that requirements and priorities are understood. Submits regular status reports to management and internal and external stakeholders. Ensures the development and execution of business change management and communication plans.
• Participates in special projects and performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications And Skills

• Minimum 8 years of experience in program management, strategic initiatives, or PMO functions within large organizations, preferably in financial services
• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Project Management, or a related field. Master’s degree or PMP certification highly desired
• Strong leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills to drive cross-functional alignment
• Proficient in program lifecycle management, risk control frameworks, and change management strategies
• Ability to handle complex interdependencies and manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment

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.