EU AI Risk Governance Lead

Location: London, Manchester or Dublin

Working Model: 3 days per week in office (Tues-Thurs), 2 days flexibility (Mon, Fri)

Overview

We are seeking an experienced lead for the AI Risk Governance function within the European Risk division. This role is responsible for accelerating Vanguard’s ability to safely and responsibly scale AI across the European division. The leader will partner with AI Enablement teams in Operations and Technology to ensure prioritized AI use cases are governed in line with Risk Appetite and regulatory compliance. The leader will engage with senior stakeholders locally, such as the European Leadership Team, and globally, such as partners in Legal and Compliance, to ensure clarity around risks, governance processes, controls and guardrails. The AI Risk Governance Lead, Europe will enhance the current design of AI Risk Governance in Europe to ensure the systems, people and processes are working optimally to balance efficiency and speed with security and control. This includes ensuring risk governance supports the region’s readiness for the EU AI Act. Reporting directly to the CRO for Europe, the role will have a dotted line into the Global Head of AI Risk Governance to ensure consistent practices across Vanguard which are adequate to meet EU regional requirements. This role plays a critical part in Vanguard Europe’s ambition to increase operational efficiency, accelerate decision‑making, and enhance the productivity of all crew through responsible and scalable AI adoption.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead Europe’s AI risk governance framework, ensuring alignment with enterprise policies and regulatory standards including the EU AI Act.
• Own and continuously enhance governance processes, including approval workflows and reporting mechanisms.
• Oversee day‑to‑day AI risk governance operations, including: Chair of the European AI Governance Committee, managing reporting and escalation to the European Risk & Compliance Committee (ERCC); conducting risk assessments; and advising business AI use case owners on risk mitigation strategies.
• Support Compliance in responding to regulatory queries and data requests on AI governance.
• Maintain AI governance artifacts in an audit‑ready state.
• Partner with the Head of AI Enablement, Europe to ensure the governance process is efficient and scaled to support the activation, prioritization and scaling of AI in business.
• Ensure Europe’s AI risk posture is aligned to risk appetite and well‑understood by business stakeholders, contributing to the efficient operation of AI governance in Europe.
• Serve as a strategic thought partner to the CRO, Europe and team on AI matters, contributing to cross‑functional initiatives that strengthen Vanguard’s risk culture and AI capabilities.
• Provide clear, outcome‑based insight to senior leadership on emerging AI risks, headwinds, and tailwinds in the European environment.

Cross‑Functional Integration & Global Collaboration

• Serve as Europe’s primary connection to the global AI Risk Governance team sitting in the GR&S Privacy, Records, AI and Data Governance (PRAD) team; sharing insights, aligning standards, and adopting enterprise‑wide tooling.
• Support European Risk & Compliance Committee (ERCC) in its oversight of AI Risk Governance, including periodic updates to the European Leadership Team and Boards; elevating exceptions or risk acceptance for high‑risk activities; breaches or compliance issues; or any other risk matters before the issue becomes a significant concern.
• Support the European Third‑Party Risk Management (TPRM) function to embed AI risk governance standards for third parties, ensuring contractual compliance and alignment with Vanguard’s AI standards.

Key Capabilities

• Deep expertise in AI‑enabled transformation and risk management.
• Strong understanding of the EU AI Act, model risk, data governance, and regulatory considerations relevant to AI in financial services.
• Proven ability to govern AI in complex, multi‑stakeholder environments; balancing efficiency, control, and business value.
• Strong analytical and diagnostic skills; able to assess use cases, quantify value, and evaluate risk implications.
• Ability to influence senior stakeholders across technology, operations, risk, and business units.
• Excellent executive communication and synthesis ability; able to distil complex AI concepts into clear, actionable insights.
• A forward‑looking, innovative mindset with a strong commitment to responsible and ethical AI adoption.

Special Factors

Both technology and risk management skillsets are required for applicants for this role. This position is hybrid and would require you to be in the office three days per week.

Inclusion Statement

Vanguard’s continued commitment to diversity and inclusion is firmly rooted in our culture. Every decision we make to best serve our clients, crew (internally employees are referred to as crew), and communities is guided by one simple statement: “Do the right thing.” We believe that a critical aspect of doing the right thing requires building diverse, inclusive, and highly effective teams of individuals who are as unique as the clients they serve. We empower our crew to contribute their distinct strengths to achieving Vanguard’s core purpose through our values. When all crew members feel valued and included, our ability to collaborate and innovate is amplified, and we are united in delivering on Vanguard's core purpose. Our core purpose: To take a stand for all investors, to treat them fairly, and to give them the best chance for investment success.