Risk Director - Cash & Payments, Personal Wealth

Vanguard; Charlotte (NC); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 250,000; Full time

Job summary

Vanguard is seeking a Risk Director for its Personal Wealth division to provide independent risk oversight, strategic risk advisory support, and credible challenge across cash products, deposits, and payment capabilities. The role partners with product, operations, technology, legal, compliance, financial crimes, and third-party providers to ensure risk-smart, compliant launches and scaled operations.

The ideal candidate has extensive experience in wealth management risk, payments risk, and

Qualifications

• Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in wealth management and/or personal investment advisory services, with at least 8 years of risk management and payments risk experience, with hands-on involvement in debit card programs and/or transactional product launches.
• Undergraduate degree required; graduate degree preferred (e.g., JD, MBA, MS in Risk/Finance).
• Relevant payments or risk certifications (e.g., NACHA) a plus.

Responsibilities

• Hire, evaluate, and supervise crew. Provides guidance, training, and coaching as necessary to develop crew. Set performance standards, review performance, and make informed compensation decisions in accordance with all applicable Human Resources policies and procedures.
• Partner with key stakeholders to establish and implement risk and control management standards within the division's processes, based on the divisional risk profile and enterprise and divisional policies and standards. Provide vision and leadership regarding existing and emerging risks, in alignment with strategic priorities.
• Provide independent oversight of Line 1 risk activities, with a primary responsibility to challenge completeness, consistency, quality, and judgment in how risks are identified, assessed, and managed. Ensure that the division has an appropriate level of review of key controls, and that key controls are designed in accordance with established standards.
• Partner in risk identification and challenges completeness and consistency of identified risks. Provides industry and enterprise-wide insights to inform the business on current and emerging risks. Performs independent risk assessments for selected high-impact, critical, or thematic risks.
• Monitor and enable adherence to the enterprise risk governance policies, standards, and procedures. Develop, maintain, and evolve a comprehensive program for monitoring and challenging the risk and control effectiveness in the business.
• Produce independent risk reporting and enterprise-wide insights for divisional leadership and governance forums to enable the business to make risk informed decisions.
• Lead and oversee a team of risk practitioners in analyzing risks, applying risk methodologies, and considering business context in advising the business on key risks. Accountable for the timely completion of risk projects and initiatives.
• Develop and maintain in-depth knowledge and awareness of industry, risk management practices, and regulatory and/or policy changes. Take an active role in industry forums and remains current on issues and regulatory events affecting the division, firm, and industry.
• Embed deep, division-specific acumen into risk management. Provide relevant, tailored guidance and advice to strengthen decision-making across the division's complex business operations and strategic initiatives.
• Participate in special projects and performs other duties as assigned, partnering with enterprise risk, legal, compliance, audit, and internal and external stakeholders as appropriate.

Skills

Cross-functional teams

Payments risk

Risk management

People leadership

Strategic thinking

Communication

Education

Undergrad degree

Graduate degree preferred

Job description

Vanguard is seeking a Risk Director for its Personal Wealth division to provide independent risk oversight, strategic risk advisory support, and credible challenge across cash products, deposits, and payment capabilities. The role partners with product, operations, technology, legal, compliance, financial crimes, and third-party providers to ensure risk-smart, compliant launches and scaled operations.

The ideal candidate has extensive experience in wealth management risk, payments risk, and