
TheDirectorof Investment Operations leads theexecution and ongoing evolutionof the operationssupportingthedirect indexing platform, ensuring scalable,accurate, and tax-efficient execution of personalized separately managed accounts (SMAs). This role partners closely with portfolio management, technology,dev/engineering,client teams, and riskto deliveroperational excellence across a highly customized, tax-managed investment offeringThis role reportsintothe Head of Platform Operations.
Direct indexing platforms require precision, data integrity, and tax-aware execution at scale, combining portfolio customization, tax-loss harvesting, and high-volume account management.
This rolejoinsatan important timeas we continue to grow and invest in our operations, technology, and team.We’relooking for a leader who can set direction but also stay close tothe workand drive execution.
Experienceleadingoperationalchange—especially in outsourced middle- and back-office environments—is important. This person should be able to take high-level priorities and turn them into practical, day-to-day actions across a growing and complex platform.
Key Responsibilities
InvestmentOperations Leadership
Leadtheday-to-dayexecution acrossinvestmentoperationslifecyclemiddle & back-office functions(account onboarding, portfolio implementation, reconciliation, reporting,contracting, billing, proxy voting, custody/3rd party management).
Maintaina scalable operating model supporting high-volume, highly customized SMA portfolios
Managethird-party portfolio accounting system.
Ensureoperationalprocessessupport ongoingtax management (tax-loss harvesting, tax transitions, and capital gains management) and portfoliocustomization (ESG screens, restrictions, factor tilts, client-specific constraints)
Maintain close partnership with development/engineering teams to ensure seamless integration across portfolio management systems, trading platforms, and client reporting tools
Oversee data flows acrossbenchmark, securitymaster, client restrictions, and tax-lot systems
Team Management & Development
Lead and develop a team of ~10 crew members, with a focus on execution quality and continuous improvement
Establish clear performance expectations aligned to accuracy, timeliness, and client outcomes
Promotea culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and operational excellence
Operational Risk& Process Improvement
Work with embedded 1stline risk partner to identifyoperational risks and implement effective controlsto manage
Driveprocess standardization andautomation to scale operations, streamline workflows, and improve efficiency
Support development of key performance metrics and operational reporting
Vendor & Service ProviderCoordination
Managerelationships with third-partyvendors
Establish service-level agreements andmonitorperformance against operational KPIs
Resolve escalations and ensure continuity of service
Client Experience & Delivery
Enablea seamlessonboarding and servicing experience for SMA clients
Support high-touch client experience throughaccuratereporting and operational transparency
Partner with client teams to support complex portfolios (e.g., concentrated stock, transitions, tax-sensitive mandates)
Represent Operations as subject matter expert in a client facing capacity, including support for conversations with prospective clients, custodian, SMA sponsor platforms, and other 3rd party partners.
Key Qualifications
10+years in investment operations
Deep understanding of direct indexing,equitySMAs, and tax-managed investing, including direct experience with one or multiple middle and back-office outsourcing platforms used by SMA managers (i.e., Vestmark, Advent,BNYArcher, SEI)
Strong knowledge of trade lifecycle, portfolio accounting, and data management
Proven leadership experience managing high-performing operations teams
Strong partnership skills across front office, technology, and risk
Undergraduate degreerequired
What Makes This Different (Direct Indexing Context)
Compared to traditional asset management operations, this role requires:
Mass customization at scale (each portfolio is unique)
Continuous tax optimization execution, not periodic
High data complexity (tax lots, restrictions, personalization inputs)
Tight integration with technology platforms to enable automation
Client-level precision vs. fund-level processing
Special Factors
Sponsorship
Vanguard is not offering visa sponsorship for this position.
About Vanguard
At Vanguard, we don't just have a mission—we're on a mission.
To work for the long-term financial wellbeing of our clients. To lead through product and services that transform our clients' lives. To learn and develop our skills as individuals and as a team. From Malvern to Melbourne, our mission drives us forward and inspires us to be our best.
How We Work
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.

Join us as we celebrate 50 years of empowering our 50 million investor-owners.* Since our founding in 1975, we’ve been on a mission to help investors achieve their goals.
With no outside shareholders to answer to, we make decisions—including keeping investing costs as low as possible—with our clients’ needs in mind. Whether you’re investing for your first house, college for your kids, or a comfortable retirement, you can be confident we’re on your side.
We are a community that thinks—and feels—differently about investing. Together, we’re changing the way the world invests. Let’s celebrate 50 years together.
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*As of January 2025