Director, Data Transformation & Strategic Operations

Director, Data Transformation & Strategic Operations (M5)

Build the operating engine behind Vanguard's data transformation

Come join the Enterprise Data Architecture & Engineering (EDA&E) organization within Vanguard's Chief Technology Office (CTO) at a defining moment in Vanguard's evolution to become an AI-driven organization.

Delivering on that ambition requires more than modern platforms and architecture - it requires disciplined execution, strong operating rhythms, and enterprise-grade transformation leadership. This role exists to build and run that engine.

As Director, Data Transformation & Strategic Operations, you will sit at the intersection of strategy and execution, ensuring Vanguard's enterprise data initiatives are planned, governed, communicated, and delivered with clarity, rigor, and impact. This is a rare opportunity to join at the ground floor of a multi-year transformation and help shape how the enterprise operates at scale.

Role Summary

The Director, Data Transformation & Strategic Operations is accountable for the transformation control tower for EDA&E.

In this role, you will:

• Orchestrate enterprise-scale, multi-year transformation delivery
• Run the operating rhythm of the EDA&E organization
• Manage strategic consulting partnerships
• Lead the "chief of staff" function for EDA&E leadership team
• Bring together portfolio delivery, strategic planning, organizational enablement, and executive narrative into one cohesive function focused on execution excellence and measurable outcomes.
• Partner closely with enterprise architects, engineering leaders, data product leaders, Finance, HR, and senior business stakeholders to ensure that Vanguard's data and AI strategy translates into durable enterprise progress.

• Lead large-scale, multi-year, cross-divisional data and technology transformation initiatives
• Translate enterprise priorities into integrated, outcome-based EDA&E roadmaps spanning architecture, platforms, operating model change, and adoption
• Serve as the central point of coordination for dependencies, risks, trade-offs, and execution decisions across a federated delivery ecosystem.

• Own the operational backbone of the EDA&E organization
• Lead quarterly and annual business planning, integrated roadmap development, and investment sequencing.
• Define, track, and drive OKRs, execution metrics, and delivery outcomes
• Produce executive-ready status reporting, dashboards, and decision narratives that surface progress, risks, and trade-offs with clarity
• Lead QBR preparation and delivery, ensuring coherent storytelling across strategy, execution, and outcomes
• Establish and continuously improve operating cadences, forums, and decision mechanisms that enable speed, alignment, and accountability

• Lead and govern strategic external partner engagements
• Define scopes, success criteria, governance models, and integration points for advisory and delivery engagements
• Ensure consulting efforts are tightly aligned to Vanguard priorities, deliver measurable outcomes, and result in sustained internal capability uplift
• Manage partner performance, value realization, and clean transitions from advisory to internal execution ownership

• Drive organizational enablement across the data transformation agenda, including:
• Change management
• Communications and executive messaging
• Operating model evolution
• Org design and transformation support
• Ensure leaders and teams are equipped with the context, clarity, and tooling required to execute effectively.

• Own enterprise transformation financials, including multi-year budgeting, forecasting, resource allocation, and cost management
• Ensure strong governance, controls, and audit readiness across the transformation portfolio
• Proactively identify risks, constraints, and trade-offs, surfacing decision-ready options to senior leadership

• Build, develop, and lead a high-performing strategic operations and transformation team
• Set clear performance expectations, provide coaching and development, conduct performance reviews, and make compensation decisions in alignment with HR policies
• Foster an enterprise-first, outcomes-driven culture focused on accountability, clarity, and execution excellence

• A high-visibility enterprise leadership role at the center of Vanguard's data and AI transformation
• Ownership of both execution discipline and organizational enablement, not just delivery tracking
• Direct influence on how Vanguard plans, operates, communicates, and executes
• Opportunity to build a modern transformation and strategic operations capability, not a traditional PMO

• Minimum of 10 years of relevant business experience, including 6+ years leading large-scale technology, data, or platform transformations
• Demonstrated experience operating in highly matrixed, federated, and regulated enterprise environments
• Proven strength in strategic planning, portfolio delivery, and executive communication
• Strong financial acumen, including program budgeting and investment governance
• Bachelor's degree in a related field (e.g., Computer Science, Engineering, Information Systems) required; advanced degree preferred

• An enterprise-first, execution-oriented mindset
• Comfort operating at the intersection of strategy, operations, and leadership enablement
• The ability to create structure in ambiguity and clarity at scale
• Credibility with senior executives, delivery leaders, and external partners alike