Data Analyst, Specialist

Vanguard; Charlotte (NC); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Vanguard in Charlotte, NC is seeking a senior Data Analyst to lead fraud data analytics initiatives, translating complex risk scenarios into scalable detections and insights.

You will design and optimize fraud detections, dashboards, and loss measurements, mentor analysts, and present findings to senior leaders.

The role requires strong SQL, Python, Tableau, and cloud data experience, with an emphasis on governance, data quality, and cross-functional collaboration.

Qualifications

• Minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in data analytics, fraud analytics, risk analytics, or a related field.
• Experience independently leading complex analytical initiatives and influencing business decisions.
• Advanced SQL skills, including experience analyzing large and complex datasets.
• Proficiency in Python or another analytical programming language used for data preparation, automation, statistical analysis, or detection development.
• Advanced experience developing dashboards and executive reporting in Tableau or a comparable visualization platform.
• Experience developing, testing, monitoring, or optimizing fraud detections, risk rules, anomaly-detection methods, or analytical models.
• Strong understanding of analytical validation methods, data quality controls, and performance measurement.
• Ability to translate technical findings into concise, actionable recommendations for technical and non-technical audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to review peer work, establish analytical standards, and coach less-experienced analysts.
• Knowledge of financial-services fraud typologies, investigations, fraud operations, or fraud loss measurement strongly preferred.
• Experience working in cloud-based data environments and with governed enterprise data assets preferred.
• Undergraduate degree or equivalent combination of training and experience; graduate degree preferred.

Responsibilities

• Leads complex fraud analytics initiatives from problem definition and data assessment through implementation, measurement, and ongoing monitoring.
• Designs, develops, back-tests, and optimizes offline fraud detections that generate actionable leads for investigative teams.
• Establishes performance measures for detections, including precision, recall, false-positive rates, alert volumes, loss exposure, and prevented or avoided impact.
• Identifies emerging fraud trends, anomalous behavior, common attributes, and fraud signatures across account, client, transactional, and case data.
• Leads forensic analysis and analytical support for significant fraud incidents, control gaps, and emerging typologies.
• Develops and owns executive reporting, dashboards, benchmarking, loss reporting, and recurring fraud performance products.
• Defines data quality controls and validates the completeness, accuracy, and reasonableness of fraud data used in reporting and detection.
• Documents analytical methodologies, assumptions, data lineage, and control procedures to support governance and audit readiness.
• Translates complex analytical findings into concise recommendations for fraud operations, risk partners, technology teams, and senior leadership.
• Reviews analytical approaches and work products developed by other analysts and provides technical direction, coaching, and quality assurance.
• Partners with investigative teams to establish feedback loops and disposition processes that improve detection effectiveness.
• Serves as an analytical subject-matter expert on cross-functional fraud initiatives, data modernization efforts, and evaluation of fraud tools or capabilities.

Skills

Advanced SQL

Python

Tableau

Fraud analytics

Data visualization

Data quality

Stakeholder comms

Cloud data

Education

Undergraduate degree

Graduate degree preferred

Job description

The Data Analyst will serve as a senior analytical lead within the Fraud Data & Analytics team, translating complex fraud risks and business questions into scalable analytical solutions. The role will independently lead the development and ongoing optimization of fraud detections, reporting, dashboards, loss measurement, incident analysis, and emerging risk analytics. The specialist will establish analytical standards, validate methodologies, communicate actionable insights to senior leaders and business partners, and provide technical guidance and coaching to other analysts.

Responsibilities

• Leads complex fraud analytics initiatives from problem definition and data assessment through implementation, measurement, and ongoing monitoring.
• Designs, develops, back-tests, and optimizes offline fraud detections that generate actionable leads for investigative teams.
• Establishes performance measures for detections, including precision, recall, false-positive rates, alert volumes, loss exposure, and prevented or avoided impact.
• Identifies emerging fraud trends, anomalous behavior, common attributes, and fraud signatures across account, client, transactional, and case data.
• Leads forensic analysis and analytical support for significant fraud incidents, control gaps, and emerging typologies.
• Develops and owns executive reporting, dashboards, benchmarking, loss reporting, and recurring fraud performance products.
• Defines data quality controls and validates the completeness, accuracy, and reasonableness of fraud data used in reporting and detection.
• Documents analytical methodologies, assumptions, data lineage, and control procedures to support governance and audit readiness.
• Translates complex analytical findings into concise recommendations for fraud operations, risk partners, technology teams, and senior leadership.
• Reviews analytical approaches and work products developed by other analysts and provides technical direction, coaching, and quality assurance.
• Partners with investigative teams to establish feedback loops and disposition processes that improve detection effectiveness.
• Serves as an analytical subject-matter expert on cross-functional fraud initiatives, data modernization efforts, and evaluation of fraud tools or capabilities.

Qualifications

• Minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in data analytics, fraud analytics, risk analytics, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience independently leading complex analytical initiatives and influencing business decisions.
• Advanced SQL skills, including experience analyzing large and complex datasets.
• Proficiency in Python or another analytical programming language used for data preparation, automation, statistical analysis, or detection development.
• Advanced experience developing dashboards and executive reporting in Tableau or a comparable visualization platform.
• Experience developing, testing, monitoring, or optimizing fraud detections, risk rules, anomaly-detection methods, or analytical models.
• Strong understanding of analytical validation methods, data quality controls, and performance measurement.
• Ability to translate technical findings into concise, actionable recommendations for technical and non-technical audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to review peer work, establish analytical standards, and coach less-experienced analysts.
• Knowledge of financial-services fraud typologies, investigations, fraud operations, or fraud loss measurement strongly preferred.
• Experience working in cloud-based data environments and with governed enterprise data assets preferred.
• Undergraduate degree or equivalent combination of training and experience; graduate degree preferred.

Global Risk and Security

GR&S at Vanguard enables business strategy, protects client and Vanguard interests (e.g. assets and data), and stewards a strong risk culture. Our teams leverage enterprise-wide insights, deep expertise, and trusted advice so that across Vanguard leaders and crew drive faster, stronger, risk-informed decisions.

Within GR&S, the Enterprise Security and Fraud (ES&F) sub-division is responsible for the global protection of Vanguard crew, property, data, and client assets. We are the trusted advisors that protect the pride of Vanguard with state-of-the-art security and fraud capabilities. We are a world-class destination of highly engaged, passionate, and diverse talent expected to continuously learn and develop in an ever-changing security landscape. Our crew are our greatest resource – by joining our team you will build collaborative long-term relationships and enjoy a suite of benefits that includes comprehensive health and wellness care, work-life balance, and an investment in your future at its core.

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.