At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and integrate Vanguard Europe's operational control environment for sustainable growth.
- Company: Join Vanguard, a client-owned firm prioritising investor interests and strategic growth in Europe.
- Benefits: Enjoy a hybrid working model, competitive salary, and a collaborative culture.
- Other info: Opportunity to build high-performing teams and influence senior stakeholders.
- Why this job: Make a significant impact on operational resilience and governance in a dynamic financial environment.
- Qualifications: Extensive leadership experience in operations and risk management within regulated 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.
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 in London employer: The Vanguard Group
Vanguard is an exceptional employer, offering a unique client-owned structure that prioritises the interests of our investors. With a strong focus on employee growth and a collaborative culture, we provide opportunities for leadership in a dynamic environment across London, Manchester, and Dublin. Our hybrid working model enhances flexibility while fostering teamwork, making Vanguard a rewarding place to build a meaningful career in the asset management sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Enterprise Operations, Europe in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to connections in the industry, attend relevant events, and don’t be shy about asking for informational interviews. The more people you know, the better your chances of landing that dream role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company inside out. Understand their values, recent news, and how they operate. This will help you tailor your answers and show that you’re genuinely interested in being part of their team.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or mentors to refine your responses and get comfortable with common questions. The more you practice, the more confident you’ll feel when it’s time to shine.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and engaged with our brand.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Enterprise Operations, Europe in London
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. We want to see how you can bring value to our team!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're passionate about this role and how your background aligns with our mission at Vanguard. Be specific about your achievements and how they relate to the responsibilities outlined in the job description.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:As a senior executive, we’re looking for someone who can lead and inspire teams. In your application, share examples of how you've built high-performing teams and fostered a risk-aware culture. We want to know how you’ve navigated complexity and influenced stakeholders!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a seamless application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. Don’t miss out on the chance to join our ambitious team!
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 extensive senior leadership experience. Think about times when you've built high-performing teams or led through complexity. Be ready to discuss how you uplifted organisational capability and embedded a 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 you make an executive impact.
✨Align with Vanguard's Values
Familiarise yourself with Vanguard's mission-driven culture and hybrid working model. Be prepared to discuss how your values align with theirs and how you can contribute to their ambitious growth targets while maintaining a resilient and well-controlled operating model.
