Physical Security Investigator

Global Risk and Security (GR&S) at Vanguard enables business strategy, protects client and Vanguard interests (e.g., assets and data), and stewards a strong risk culture. Our teams leverage enterprise-wide insights, deep expertise, and trusted advice so that across Vanguard leaders and crew drive faster, stronger, risk-informed decisions.

Within GR&S, the Enterprise Security and Fraud (ES&F) sub-division is responsible for the global protection of Vanguard crew, property, data, and client assets. We are the trusted advisors that protect the pride of Vanguard with state-of-the-art security and fraud capabilities. We are a world-class destination of highly engaged, passionate, and diverse talent expected to continuously learn and develop in an ever-changing security landscape.

Our crew are our greatest resource - by joining our team you will build collaborative long-term relationships and enjoy a suite of benefits that includes comprehensive health and wellness care, work-life balance, and an investment in your future at its core.

Key Responsibilities

OSINT Investigations

• Conduct OSINT investigations into individuals, groups, and activities relevant to physical security concerns, suspicious activity, or in response to site security requests.
• Apply established OSINT methodologies to assess credibility, relevance, and potential risk, incorporating behavioral indicators such as fixation, grievance, escalation, or targeted hostility where present.
• Research and analyze publicly available information, including social media, online forums, and digital footprints, in accordance with legal, ethical, and policy requirements.
• Demonstrate familiarity with escalation concepts and common behavioral warning signs to help contextualize open-source findings.
• Document investigative findings clearly and accurately, producing investigative summaries that support security assessments and decision making.
• Support monitoring, follow up research, or case updates as directed based on evolving risk indicators.
• Maintain organized, well-documented investigative records to support auditability and quality control.

• Support employee prescreening workflows by assisting with intake coordination, tracking status, and ensuring timely progression through established processes.
• Review adverse or concerning information surfaced through prescreening processes to identify potential physical security relevance.
• Assist in drafting security recommendations related to adverse findings, clearly documenting observations, considerations, and rationale.
• Coordinate with physical security, crew relations, legal, and other internal stakeholders to support prescreening-related information flow and follow up actions.
• Maintain accurate documentation related to prescreening workflows, assessments, and recommendations.

• Follow established investigative and prescreening procedures, templates, and documentation standards.
• Identify process issues, recurring challenges, or quality gaps and raise observations to senior team members.
• Support data collection and tracking related to investigative and prescreening volume, timeliness, and outcomes.
• Contribute to continuous improvement efforts through thoughtful feedback and adherence to best practices.

• Communicate investigative findings, observations, and recommendations clearly, objectively, and professionally.
• Build effective working relationships with internal and external partners by demonstrating reliability, discretion, and attention to detail.
• Escalate issues, uncertainties, or potential risks appropriately and in a timely manner.

• Experience conducting OSINT research, investigations, or security assessments in a corporate, government, military, or law enforcement environment.
• Demonstrated understanding of open-source research techniques and investigative documentation.
• Familiarity with behavioral threat indicators and escalation concepts, as applied to workplace or person-based risk.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to follow structured investigative processes.
• Ability to synthesize information from multiple sources into clear written summaries.
• Professional judgment, discretion, and commitment to ethical investigative practices.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

• Experience supporting security investigations, physical security teams, or risk-related functions.
• Familiarity with employee prescreening, due diligence, or internal review workflows.
• Exposure to investigative case management or tracking tools.
• Interest in OSINT tradecraft development, investigative quality, and process improvement.