Job Description
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.
What You’ll Be Doing
Leadership & Delivery
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
Financial Crime Operations
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
Risk, Compliance & Controls
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
Continuous Improvement
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
Stakeholder Engagement
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
Experience
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
Knowledge & Skills
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
Qualifications
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)
Inclusion Statement
Vanguard’s continued commitment to diversity and inclusion is firmly rooted in our culture. Every decision we make to best serve our clients, crew (internally employees are referred to as crew), and communities is guided by one simple statement: “Do the right thing.”
We believe that a critical aspect of doing the right thing requires building diverse, inclusive, and highly effective teams of individuals who are as unique as the clients they serve. We empower our crew to contribute their distinct strengths to achieving Vanguard’s core purpose through our values.
When all crew members feel valued and included, our ability to collaborate and innovate is amplified, and we are united in delivering on Vanguard’s core purpose.
Our core purpose: To take a stand for all investors, to treat them fairly, and to give them the best chance for investment success.
Special Factors
Vanguard is not offering visa sponsorship for this position.
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.