Financial Crimes Operations Manager

About Vanguard

More than 45 years ago, John C. Bogle had a vision to start an investment company that did things differently. A company with no external shareholders. Where all the profits were invested back into the business and used to lower costs. Evidently, it was as bold as it was brilliant. To this day, Vanguard Group still has no external shareholders. That means no share prices to protect, and no profits to generate for outside owners.

Today, Vanguard is one of the world's largest investment management companies, serving more than 50 million investors worldwide. For more than 30 years Vanguard Australia has been supporting individual investors, financial advisers, and superannuation members to achieve their long-term financial goals.

Position Summary

We're looking for a Financial Crime Operations Manager to lead a critical function that helps protect Vanguard's members and investors.

In this role, you'll lead three specialist teams - Investigations, Detection, and Customer Due Diligence, ensuring strong end to end coverage across financial crime prevention, detection, and response.

• Lead, coach, and develop teams across Investigations, Detection, and Customer Due Diligence
• Build a high-performing, collaborative team culture focused on quality and accountability
• Oversee complex case management, including AML investigations and resolution of high-risk matters

• Oversee key capabilities including:
  
  
  • Enhanced Customer Due Diligence (ECDD)
  • Transaction Monitoring (including rule optimisation and uplift)
  • Suspicious Matter Reporting (SMR)
  • KYC (onboarding, verification, and refresh)
  • Sanctions operations
• Support customer risk assessments and ensure risk-based decision making

• Ensure alignment with AML/CTF legislation and stay across regulatory changes
• Develop and maintain standards, procedures, and controls aligned to industry best practice
• Partner closely with Financial Crime Compliance and Fraud teams to ensure strong risk coverage

• Identify opportunities to streamline processes and reduce manual effort through automation
• Drive initiatives to improve efficiency, accuracy, and scalability across the function
• Use insights and data to continuously refine how Financial Crime Operations operates

• Act as a key contact for Financial Crime Operations, keeping leaders informed on risks, trends, and performance
• Collaborate across teams (Compliance, Fraud, Tech, Operations) to deliver strong outcomes
• Present insights and recommendations to senior leadership

• Strong experience (7+ years) in financial crime, AML/CTF, or operational risk roles
• Proven leadership experience managing and developing teams
• Hands-on experience with transaction monitoring and customer due diligence

• Deep understanding of AML/CTF obligations and regulatory environment in Australia
• Strong stakeholder management and ability to influence at all levels
• Analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making capability
• Experience driving process improvement and automation in operations

• Degree in Business, Finance, Law, or a related field
• CAMS or relevant postgraduate qualifications (nice to have)
• Experience in investment management or super (highly regarded)