At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and innovate Vanguard Europe's operational control environment and resilience programmes.
- Company: Join Vanguard, a mission-driven leader in asset management with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Be part of a high-performing team with excellent career advancement opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a significant impact on operational resilience and governance in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Extensive leadership experience in operations and risk management within financial services.
The predicted salary is between 100000 - 150000 £ per year.
The Head of Enterprise Operations, Europe is a senior executive leadership role accountable for establishing, integrating, and leading Vanguard Europe’s enterprise-wide operational control environment. Leading a large and growing team split across London, Manchester and Dublin, this role owns Europe’s Operational Resilience, Business Continuity, Third‑Party Risk Management, Control Assurance, and Governance frameworks, ensuring the firm can scale safely, sustainably, and in line with board‑approved risk appetite. As Head of Enterprise Operations, Europe, you will report to the Vanguard Europe Chief Operating Officer (Head of Operations) and work as part of Europe’s senior operations leadership team. You will have responsibility for building critical capabilities from the ground up and embedding the disciplines required to operate them in a complex, multi‑jurisdictional asset‑management business. The role is highly visible, with material regulatory, operational, and strategic impact.
Key Responsibilities
- Designing, embedding, and maturing Europe’s operations management and governance system, ensuring clear accountability, effective decision‑making, and strong risk ownership.
- Leading Europe’s Operational Resilience and Business Continuity programmes, including scenario testing, impact tolerances, and severe‑but‑plausible event planning.
- Owning and evolving Europe’s Third‑Party Risk Management and Outsourcing operating model, including lifecycle oversight, resilience, and exit planning.
- Building and leading a central controls office, responsible for control effectiveness assurance and control design advisory.
- Leading Europe’s regulatory operations team, enabling Vanguard’s distribution of UK and Irish funds across Europe.
- Producing high‑quality management information and board‑level insight on Europe’s control environment and risk profile.
- Acting as a senior interface with regulators and Boards.
- Building and leading high‑performing teams, uplifting organisational capability and embedding a disciplined, risk‑aware culture.
Experience & Capabilities Required
- Extensive senior leadership experience in operations, resilience, controls, or enterprise risk roles within regulated financial services.
- Deep expertise in Operational Resilience, Business Continuity, Third‑Party Risk Management, and control assurance disciplines.
- Strong understanding of UK, EU, and Irish regulatory regimes with proven experience engaging regulators.
- Demonstrated experience building enterprise operating systems, governance frameworks, or assurance functions from an immature or fragmented baseline.
- Ability to communicate complex risk and control topics with clarity and executive impact.
- Proven track record of building credibility, influencing senior stakeholders, and leading through complexity.
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.
Head of Enterprise Operations, Europe employer: The Vanguard Group
Vanguard is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic and collaborative work culture that prioritises employee growth and development. With a hybrid working model across vibrant locations in London, Manchester, and Dublin, employees benefit from enhanced flexibility while engaging in meaningful work that directly impacts the firm's operational resilience and governance frameworks. Joining Vanguard means being part of a mission-driven team that values innovation, accountability, and a disciplined approach to risk management.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Enterprise Operations, Europe
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to connections in the industry, attend relevant events, and engage with professionals on platforms like LinkedIn. We can’t stress enough how personal connections can open doors that applications alone can’t.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Understand their values and how they align with your experience. We recommend practising common interview questions and having your own questions ready to show your interest.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your expertise! During interviews, share specific examples of your past achievements related to operational resilience and risk management. We want to see how you’ve tackled challenges and made an impact in previous roles.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after interviews! A simple thank-you email can leave a lasting impression. We believe it shows your enthusiasm for the role and keeps you top of mind for the hiring team.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Enterprise Operations, Europe
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Head of Enterprise Operations. Highlight your experience in operational resilience and risk management, and don’t forget to showcase any leadership roles you've held in similar environments.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of how you've built governance frameworks or led teams in complex settings, and make it personal.
Showcase Your Regulatory Knowledge:Since this role involves engaging with regulators, make sure to highlight your understanding of UK, EU, and Irish regulatory regimes. Mention any direct experiences you’ve had with regulatory bodies to demonstrate your expertise.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity!
How to prepare for a job interview at The Vanguard Group
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you have a solid understanding of operational resilience, business continuity, and third-party risk management. Brush up on the latest regulatory frameworks in the UK, EU, and Ireland, as you'll need to demonstrate your expertise in these areas during the interview.
✨Showcase Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your senior leadership experience. Think about times when you've built high-performing teams or led through complex challenges. Be ready to discuss how you uplifted organisational capability and embedded a disciplined, risk-aware culture.
✨Communicate Clearly
Practice explaining complex risk and control topics in a straightforward manner. You want to show that you can communicate effectively with senior stakeholders and regulators. Consider doing mock interviews to refine your delivery and ensure your points come across clearly.
✨Engage with the Company Culture
Familiarise yourself with Vanguard's mission-driven and collaborative culture. Think about how your values align with theirs and be prepared to discuss how you would contribute to their hybrid working model while fostering teamwork and connection among your team members.
