Relationship Manager, Specialist

Vanguard; Scottsdale (AZ); On-site; USD 85,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Vanguard is seeking a Senior Relationship Manager to oversee the West territory's book of business, including $200 million to $1 billion in plan sponsor relationships with recordkeeping and investment elements.

You will deliver proactive strategic guidance, work cross‑functionally, and maintain expert knowledge of Vanguard funds and products. This remote role requires West Coast residence and 25–50% travel.

Qualifications

• Minimum five years related work experience; three years in Financial Services and Relationship Management.
• Expertise in employer-sponsored retirement plans (401(k), 403(b), rollover, participant engagement).
• Recordkeeping savvy is required.
• Ability to develop senior/executive level relationships and navigate complex organizations.
• Undergraduate degree or equivalent experience.
• Regulatory license/registration (e.g. 6 & 63) required.
• Remote-based role; reside on the West Coast to be considered.
• Travel requirement: 25-50%.

Responsibilities

• Manage Vanguard’s most complex recordkeeping and investment‑only plan sponsor relationships.
• Provide proactive strategic planning and high‑value consultations with clients.
• Lead resolution of complex client issues and design tailored service solutions.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to deliver integrated client outcomes.
• Maintain expert knowledge of Vanguard funds, products, and competitive positioning.

Skills

Relationship management

Strategic planning

Executive relationships

Cross-functional collaboration

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Tools

Recordkeeping systems

Investment products knowledge

Job description

Overview At Vanguard, our core purpose is to take a stand for all investors, to treat them fairly, and to give them the best chance for investment success. We put our investors first in all we do, and because of it, our clients have entrusted $12 trillion of their hard‑earned savings to us. Within the Vanguard Workplace Solutions (our Institutional Division), we manage $2.6 trillion in assets, providing institutional clients, plan sponsors, and participants with recordkeeping, investment, and advice services, in defined contribution plans such as 401(k)s. We operate as a team to deliver the best that Vanguard has to offer across recordkeeping, investments, advice, and products—to all clients, across all channels. This role is responsible for the West territory’s book of business that consists of $200 million - $1 billion plan sponsor client relationships where Vanguard has a recordkeeping and/or investment relationship.

What It Takes

• Manages Vanguard’s most complex recordkeeping and investment‑only plan sponsor relationships by applying a deep understanding of client history, strategic priorities, and evolving needs. Identifies opportunities to elevate the client experience, enhance service delivery, and strengthen loyalty through proactive, best‑in‑class consultative guidance.
• Proactively assesses client needs through ongoing strategic planning and high‑value consultations. Recommends service, operational, and process enhancements, partnering with internal stakeholders to ensure seamless recordkeeping execution. Clearly articulates recommendations to senior client decision makers to drive informed outcomes.
• Leads the resolution of complex client issues related to products, services, and processes. Develops and implements creative, forward‑looking solutions that meet or exceed client expectations and reinforce Vanguard’s reputation for excellence.
• Engages key internal subject matter experts and leverages an extensive internal network to design tailored service solutions for clients. Facilitates cross‑functional collaboration and shared ownership to deliver integrated, client‑centric outcomes.
• Maintains expert‑level knowledge of Vanguard funds, products, services, and competitive positioning. Applies deep investment expertise to provide long‑term strategic guidance and reinforce Vanguard as the provider of choice, driving sustained partnership and loyalty.
• Contributes to enterprise initiatives, participates in special projects, and performs additional responsibilities as assigned to support departmental and organizational objectives.

Qualifications

• Minimum of five years related work experience. Three years experience in Financial Services and Relationship Management preferred.
• Demonstrated expertise in employer-sponsored retirement plans, including 401(k), 403(b), rollover, participant engagement, retirement readiness, or related workplace solutions.
• Recordkeeping (retirement plan administration) savvy is required.
• Demonstrated ability to develop senior/executive level relationships, navigate sophisticated organizations, and manage ambiguity.
• Undergraduate degree or equivalent experience or equivalent combination of training and experience.
• This job requires a regulatory license and/or registration (e.g. FINRA, state, SFC). In particular the 6 & 63 will be required.
• This is a remote based role however one must reside on the West Coast to be considered
• Travel requirement: 25-50%

Special Factors

• Existing recordkeeping client relationships and connectivity in the assigned region is a plus.
• Investment competence is a plus.

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.

Future of Work

During the pandemic, we transitioned to a work from home model for the majority of our crew and we continue to interview, hire, and on‑board future crew remotely. As we have developed the path forward, we have taken a thoughtful approach that both maximizes the advantages of working remotely and the many benefits of coming together and collaborating in a shared workspace. We believe that in‑person interactions among our crew are important for preserving our unique culture and advantageous for the personal development of our crew. When our Crew return to the office, many will work in our hybrid model. A smaller proportion of our crew will operate in the Work from Home work model (for example, field sales crew); or in the Work from Office model (for example, portfolio managers). The working model that your role falls into will be communicated to you in the interview process – please do ask if you are unsure. We encourage you to make the decision regarding your job interview and offer knowing which model your role will fall into. We will test and learn as our ways of working evolve and will continue to evaluate working models along the way.

Salary Range

$85,000.00 - $150,000.00