Title: Director of Investment Operations, Personalized Indexing Location: Malvern, PA time type: Full time job requisition id: 178644 Job Description: TheDirectorof Investment Operationsleads 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 offering.This 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/3rdparty 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 toidentifyoperational 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 3rdparty 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 degree 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.