Business Unit Strategy, Senior Specialist

Summary

Leads strategy projects and workstreams that include conducting internal and external business strategic analysis, competitive research, and product/service evaluation for Education Savings.

Education Savings (ES) is looking for an S4 Senior Strategy Lead to help shape future service models and be the primary Manager for external to business partners. This role will be a key member of the Education Savings Growth, Product, & Partner Strategy team.

ES plays a leading role in the 529 industry, with 60% market share in the direct sold market, serving 41 state clients and stewarding over $200B AUM. Over the past 2 years, the business has successfully executed against a refreshed strategy, driving significant growth and bringing new offers to market and significantly enhancing our digital client experience offer.

While ES has been an established business for more than 20 years, the recent growth in the Vanguard plan identified new opportunities within the industry to solve a $1.8T student debt problem. Partnerships with key providers to enable growth and solutions are a key priority. This role will be on the forefront of managing business partners and shaping the future strategy for Education Savings.

Responsibilities

• Manage external partner relationships to influence and execute the Education Savings strategy. This is a critical function of the role as many of our business partners span the enterprise.
• Lead the analysis, planning, and business problem diagnosis. Independently define business problems, issues, by consulting with business partners - internal and external. Develops and oversees approach for research and analyses.
• Synthesize analyses, key findings, and potential solutions into actionable recommendations. Prepares and delivers materials, including presentations, white papers, case studies, etc. to audiences ranging from MDs to external providers.
• Stay abreast of industry, market, and business competitive trends. Leads efforts to keep the senior management team informed of key industry, competitive, and product trends. Recommends new and enhanced capabilities and services.
• Participate in special projects and performs other duties as assigned.

• Strategic thinker that identifies the role Vanguard can and will play in the Education Savings arena.
• Able to effectively manage and cut through ambiguity and red tape while connecting Education Savings to the rest of the enterprise.
• Influence and hold external partners accountable to achieve results in a win-win manner, although organizations may have different financial goals and approaches.
• Self-starter with strong ability to work quickly and independently, with attention to detail and sensitivity to deadlines.
• Team player who builds strong relationships across the department, division, and enterprise, and is comfortable sitting at a strong leadership table.
• Executive presence for Sr. internal and external client interactions.

• Proven experience operating in an ambiguous environment and demonstrated willingness to take on a leadership role in 'other duties assigned'
• Ability to appropriately manage confidential, sensitive data.
• Proven ability to manage key external candidates.
• Minimum of eight years related work experience.
• Undergraduate degree or equivalent combination of training and experience. Graduate degree preferred.