Strategic Initiatives & Partnerships Analyst

Vanguard; Malvern (Chester County); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Vanguard in Malvern, PA is seeking an experienced Strategic Initiatives & Partnerships Analyst to help identify, evaluate, and develop inorganic growth opportunities. You will work across Enterprise Strategy, Enterprise Client, Vanguard's global teams to build business cases, market analyses, and partnership structures, guiding deals from sourcing to integration.

The role emphasizes strong communication, financial modeling, and cross-functional collaboration to advance enterprise priorities and

Qualifications

• 3–5 years of related work experience in strategic partnerships or corporate development.
• Strong written and verbal communication, with ability to deliver executive-ready presentations.
• Analytical skills including market research, financial modeling, and business case development.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in cross-functional teams.
• Undergraduate degree in Business, Economics, Finance, or related field.

Responsibilities

• Support evaluation of partnership opportunities with market research, business cases, and financial models.
• Conduct market, ecosystem, and competitive analysis to identify trends and partnership opportunities.
• Develop market maps, partner landscapes, capability assessments, and opportunity briefs.
• Assist Build/Buy/Partner assessments evaluating strategic fit, value drivers, and risks.
• Identify potential partners based on strategic fit and value creation potential.
• Develop partnership constructs, commercial models, governance structures, and operating plans.
• Prepare analyses, presentations, and recommendations for leaders and governance forums.
• Coordinate with sponsors, Legal, Finance, Risk, Compliance, Technology, and Operations.
• Contribute to frameworks, tools, and playbooks to strengthen partnership capabilities.

Skills

Communication

Analytical

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's in Business

Tools

Financial modeling

Job description

Drive enterprise strategy through inorganic growth Strategic Business Development shares in Vanguard's mission to take a stand for all investors. You can help us change the way the world invests by identifying potential inorganic opportunities that will increase value for our clients. You will be a part of the team tasked with guiding the organization through complex issues related to strategic partnerships. In addition, you will play a role in the end-to-end deal process from sourcing to integration across multiple Vanguard business lines.

The Strategic Initiatives & Partnerships Analyst plays a key role in helping Vanguard identify, evaluate, and develop strategic partnership opportunities that advance enterprise priorities and create value for clients.

Working across Enterprise Strategy, Enterprise Client, Vanguard's global businesses, and external organizations, this role supports the evaluation of partnership opportunities, develops analyses and business cases, and contributes to the design and execution of strategic partnerships. This role provides an opportunity to work at the intersection of enterprise strategy, business development, and partnership execution while building expertise in partnership development, market analysis, and inorganic growth.

Responsibilities:

• Support the evaluation of strategic partnership opportunities through quantitative and qualitative analysis, including market research, business cases, financial models, scenario analysis, and executive presentations.
• Conduct market, ecosystem, and competitive analysis to identify emerging trends, strategic themes, and potential partnership opportunities relevant to Vanguard's enterprise aspirations and business priorities.
• Develop market maps, partner landscapes, capability assessments and opportunity briefs that help identify where external partnerships can accelerate Vanguard's objectives.
• Support Build / Buy / Partner assessments by evaluating strategic fit, potential value drivers, execution considerations, and key risks associated with alternative pathways.
• Assist in identifying and evaluating potential partners based on strategic fit, complementary capabilities, market position and value creation potential.
• Support the development of partnership constructs, commercial models, governance frameworks, operating structures, and other materials used to evaluate and structure partnership opportunities.
• Prepare analyses, presentations, and recommendations for business leaders, senior stakeholders, and governance forums.
• Manage assigned workstreams with support while coordinating effectively with business sponsors, Legal, Finance, Risk, Compliance, Technology, Operations and other stakeholders.
• Contribute to the development of partnership frameworks, tools, market intelligence, playbooks, and best practices that strengthen Vanguard's partnership capabilities.
• Participate in special projects and perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• 3 - 5 years related work experience. Two years' experience in strategic partnerships, corporate development, management consulting, investment banking, private equity, or similar field preferred.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to develop executive-ready presentations and effectively communicate insights to stakeholders.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including experience conducting market research, competitive analysis, financial modeling, business case development, or similar analytical work.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities, work independently, and operate effectively in collaborative, cross-functional environments.
• Undergraduate degree required in Business, Economics, Finance, or similar concentration.

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.