Head of Risk, Ireland

Job Description

Stand up for investors and advance your career!

An exciting opportunity to join a fast-growing global organisation where ethics and integrity really matter. We are the second largest asset manager in the world and the second largest management company in Ireland by assets under administration. The European Enterprise Risk Management team, based in London, Dublin, and Berlin, is a team of high calibre individuals who are constantly innovating and building better ways of developing Enterprise Risk framework components. Building better risk insights through data analytics and building strong relationships with our business partners, we generate impactful reporting and management information. We are looking for an ambitious high performing Head of Risk, Ireland to complement our team based in Dublin, to provide valued partnerships across the Vanguard Group Ireland Limited UCITS Management Company (ManCo). Join us and protect the millions who trust us with their futures!

Job Profile Summary

As the Head of Risk, Ireland, the role holder will be the Designated Person for Operational Risk (DP) and the Chief Risk Officer (CRO) for the ManCo. They will lead the VGIL Enterprise Risk Management team and will be responsible for ensuring the design, planning and execution of the enterprise risk management framework for VGIL, in accordance with the regional European Enterprise Risk implementation plan. They will also be responsible for leading and embedding a robust risk advisory and oversight model, partnering with key stakeholders across VGIL, Europe and the Vanguard Group. This includes assuring the enterprise risk management framework is embedded and demonstrating oversight of key operational and enterprise risks in respect of the VGIL legal entity. Reporting to the Europe CRO (with a matrix reporting line to the ManCo Managing Director), they will support the developing risk management needs of VGIL and the wider business, contributing to Europe and Global ERM Objectives and Key Results and initiatives.

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Leads and manages staff, creating a strong team atmosphere. Conducts regular one-on-one meetings and provides guidance, training, and motivation as necessary to develop staff. Hire, evaluate and counsel personnel. Follows corporate performance management procedures per established Vanguard standards as required. Sets performance standards, review performance, provide feedback, and recommend wage increases in accordance with all applicable Human Resources policies and procedures. Builds a strong team by identifying, attracting, and retaining talented crew. Consistently raises standards and coaches and develops team members

2. Leverages global Vanguard Enterprise Risk programs and aligning with European Risk Management programs, develops, maintains, and evolves a thorough and comprehensive enterprise risk management framework for identifying, monitoring, and analyzing risk, including the supporting data, tools, technology and supporting policies appropriate for the VGIL business that aligns Business strategy with the Board’s stated risk appetite.

3. Ensures that the enterprise risk framework is embedded and demonstrates oversight of key operational and enterprise risks in respect of the VGIL legal entity and which engenders support from the VGIL business functions and Designated Persons.

4. Develops the communication, reporting, training, and ongoing enhancement elements of the enterprise risk program and oversees and partners with stakeholders to maintain awareness and delivery of requirements as appropriate.

5. Works with the European Risk Management team to support the identification of appropriate risk appetite metrics, dashboards and reporting capability for executive management and Boards.

6. Leads the requirements of the VGIL Risk Governance & Reporting structure and supports the Vanguard European Risk Committee and Board structures.

7. Leads, maintains, and evolves a risk advisory and oversight model for VGIL and partners with business functions in the development, implementation, and management of short- and long-term risk management strategies.

8. Stays abreast of VGIL business risk issues and best practices, working alongside key stakeholders and service providers in Europe and in the US.

9. Understands the requirements and complexities of the diverse regulatory environments and business processes that support VGIL.

10. Participates in special projects and other duties as assigned, providing risk management leadership.

Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree is required with emphasis in business, finance or accounting preferred. Graduate degree preferred.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience with at least 5-10 years in risk management.
• Experience in many fields of risk management including Risk identification; Business Continuity; regulatory risk, fraud risk with core expertise in operational risk.
• Strong understanding of the investment process, operations, outsourcing and technology as well as audit and compliance.
• Excellent relationship management, communication, and analytical skills required.
• Working knowledge and or experience in the business being supported or the ability to develop specific business expertise is required.
• Previous experience as a CBI Designated Person desired but not essential.
• Working knowledge of Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Access, and flowcharting VISIO software (or other flowcharting software).

Regulated Role

This role is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland; the role holder will hold controlled functions PCF-39B (Designated Person for Operational Risk) & PCF-14 CRO.

Special Factors

Vanguard is not offering visa sponsorship for this position.

About Vanguard

We are Vanguard. Together, we’re changing the way the world invests.

For us, investing doesn’t just end in value. It starts with values. Because when you invest with courage, when you invest with clarity, and when you invest with care, you get so much more in return. We invest with purpose—and that’s how we’ve become a global market leader. Here, we grow by doing the right thing for the people we serve. And so can you.

We want to make success accessible to everyone. This is our opportunity. Let’s make it count.

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.

Future of Work

During the pandemic, we transitioned to a work from home model for the majority of our crew and we continue to interview, hire, and on-board future crew remotely.

As we have developed the path forward, we have taken a thoughtful approach that both maximizes the advantages of working remotely and the many benefits of coming together and collaborating in a shared workspace. We believe that in-person interactions among our crew are important for preserving our unique culture and advantageous for the personal development of our crew.

When our Crew return to the office, many will work in our hybrid model. A smaller proportion of our crew will operate in the Work from Home work model (for example, field sales crew); or in the Work from Office model (for example, portfolio managers).

The working model that your role falls into will be communicated to you in the interview process – please do ask if you are unsure. We encourage you to make the decision regarding your job interview and offer knowing which model your role will fall into. We will test and learn as our ways of working evolve and will continue to evaluate working models along the way.