Senior Portfolio Strategist

Vanguard; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Vanguard seeks a Senior Portfolio Strategist to advise financial advisor clients on asset allocation and portfolio construction, helping to optimize outcomes for sophisticated portfolios. The role requires deep investment knowledge, strong communication, and collaboration with internal partners to deliver tailored client strategies.

The candidate will act as SME on market conditions and industry practices, coaching colleagues and contributing to Vanguard’s publications and events.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in Financial Services or client services.
• Undergraduate degree or equivalent.
• Strong investment acumen with deep knowledge of portfolio construction, asset allocation, sub-asset allocation and product selection.
• Excellent communication & relationship management skills with sophisticated advisors.
• Knowledge of the intermediary industry and practical challenges across channels.
• FINRA Series 7 & 63 required, CFA/CFP highly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Advise financial advisor clients on asset allocation, portfolio construction and fund selection decisions.
• Communicate investment strategies to help clients achieve goals; discuss risk tolerance and financial planning needs.
• Conduct investment reviews and share findings with clients and governance bodies.
• Collaborate with internal partners to deliver targeted client strategies and maximize adoption of Vanguard services.
• Represent department viewpoint and liaise with senior management and other divisions.
• Serve as SME on investments, market conditions and regulatory policies; contribute to external publications.
• Coach and guide less experienced team members and internal partners.
• Participate in special projects and other duties as assigned.

Skills

Portfolio construction

Asset allocation

Client communication

Relationship management

Regulatory knowledge

FINRA Series 7/63

Education

Undergraduate degree

Job description

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.

Financial Advisor Services (FAS) provides services and investment products, such as exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and mutual funds, to Vanguard’s financial advisor clients. FAS serves broker-dealers, asset managers, bank trust departments, registered investment advisors, and insurance companies, both at an advisor and home office level.

Financial Advisors are challenged by an ever-changing market environment and seek our partnership in driving better investment outcomes for their clients. Our team of experts provide comprehensive analysis and perspectives to help Advisors make sense of the current market and economic environment and identify and address portfolio construction challenges. We continue to experience significant demand from Advisors and Sales, and these roles represent an expansion of our team. Ideal candidates will possess strong investment acumen, excellent communication and relationship management skills, and the desire to positively impact the professional development of portfolio analyst crew.

We are seeking a Senior Portfolio Strategist to help our most sophisticated advisory clients build better portfolios and improve outcomes for clients.

NOTE: Will also consider remote work locations in the United States.

What it Takes

• Advises financial advisor clients on asset allocation, portfolio construction, and fund selection decisions. Consults with clients to develop or adapt investment policy statements.
• Communicates with clients to provide investment strategies to achieve client’s goals. Identifies the appropriate risk tolerance, discuss appropriate savings or spending strategies and provide additional financial planning solutions as needed. Communicates with clients about investment products.
• Conducts investment reviews and shares findings and recommendations with clients and related governing bodies.
• Collaborates with internal partners to develop and deliver targeted client strategies, ensure a cohesive client experience, and maximize adoption and effective application of Vanguard services. Participates in the business development process.
• Represents the department’s viewpoint when collaborating with internal partners to develop and enhance Vanguard’s advisory and investment methodology and portfolio strategies. Acts as a liaison to senior management and other divisions.
• Serves as an internal and external subject matter expert on the investment and client industries, market conditions, competitors, and compliance, regulatory, and departmental policies and procedures. Contributes to the development of Vanguard’s external publications and presents at conferences and client events.
• Coaches, collaborates, and provides insight and direction to less experienced crew and internal partners.
• Participates in special projects and performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• 10+ year’s related experience in the Financial Services industry or client services.
• Undergraduate degree or equivalent combination of training and experience.
• Strong investment acumen: experience demonstrating deep knowledge of portfolio construction, including asset allocation, sub asset allocation, and product selection
• Excellent communication & relationship management skills: ability to deliver comprehensive portfolio reviews clearly & credibly to sophisticated financial advisors and influence their portfolio construction decision making process; ability to build trust with Vanguard Sales teams and advisors
• Knowledge of intermediary industry: broad understanding of the industry landscape plus an appreciation of practical challenges/constraints facing financial advisors across channels
• FINRA Series 7 & 63.

Special Factors

• CFA or CFP is highly preferred.

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.