Business Unit Strategy, Senior Specialist

Vanguard•Malvern, PA

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

Leads strategy projects and workstreams that include conducting internal and external business strategic analysis, competitive research, and product/service evaluation for Education Savings. Education Savings (ES) is looking for a Senior Strategy Lead to help shape future service models. Secondly, this role will be the Relationship Manager for key external business partners. This role will be a key member of the Education Savings Growth, Product, & Partner Strategy team. While ES has been an established business for more than 20 years, the industry continues to grapple with a $1.8T student debt problem. To develop the strategy, partnerships with key providers to enable growth and solutions are a key priority. This role will be on the forefront of managing business partners and shaping the future strategy for Education Savings. As a Sr. Strategy Lead, the individual will: Independently lead the strategy engagement to evolve the Education Savings business. This person will lead the analysis, planning, and business problem diagnosis and make formal recommendations to the leadership team. Manage external partner relationships to influence and execute the Education Savings strategy. This is a critical function of the role as many of our business partners impact the broader Vanguard enterprise Lead workstreams on high visibility strategy projects. Partner closely with senior stakeholders across the enterprise to shape recommendations and execute the work. Interpret and analyze highly complex data using business acumen in order to derive key insights. Verify the quality, accuracy, and reasonableness of the data. Display, organize, and craft data into a compelling storyline with actionable insight for the client. Synthesize analyses, key findings, and potential solutions into actionable recommendations. Work with senior managers to prepare and deliver materials, including client presentations, white papers, case studies. Stay abreast of industry, market, and business competitive trends. Leads efforts to keep the senior management team informed of key industry, competitive, and product trends. Recommends new and enhanced capabilities and services. Serve as part of team responsible for content development to position the Education Savings Team as industry thought leader; be subject matter expert to internal and external partners What Sets you apart: Strategic thinker that identifies the role Vanguard can and will play in the Education Savings arena. Able to effectively manage and cut through ambiguity and red tape while connecting Education Savings to the rest of the enterprise. Influence and hold external partners accountable to achieve results in a win-win manner, although organizations may have different financial goals and approaches. Self-starter with strong ability to work quickly and independently, with attention to detail and sensitivity to deadlines. Team player who builds strong relationships across the department, division, and enterprise, and is comfortable sitting at a strong leadership table. Executive presence for Sr. internal and external client interactions.

Requirements

Undergraduate degree or equivalent combination of training and experience (Master's degree preferred)
Proven experience operating in an ambiguous environment and demonstrated willingness to take on a leadership role
Minimum of 8 years related work experience such as experience in strategy consulting and / or analytical or financially oriented roles.
Extensive experience in stakeholder management required.
Demonstrated success leading complex, fast-paced workstreams

Nice To Haves

Business experience in the Education Savings Industry (529) preferred
Master's degree preferred
Strategic thinker that identifies the role Vanguard can and will play in the Education Savings arena.
Able to effectively manage and cut through ambiguity and red tape while connecting Education Savings to the rest of the enterprise.
Influence and hold external partners accountable to achieve results in a win-win manner, although organizations may have different financial goals and approaches.
Self-starter with strong ability to work quickly and independently, with attention to detail and sensitivity to deadlines.
Team player who builds strong relationships across the department, division, and enterprise, and is comfortable sitting at a strong leadership table.
Executive presence for Sr. internal and external client interactions.

Responsibilities

Independently lead the strategy engagement to evolve the Education Savings business.
Manage external partner relationships to influence and execute the Education Savings strategy.
Lead workstreams on high visibility strategy projects.
Partner closely with senior stakeholders across the enterprise to shape recommendations and execute the work.
Interpret and analyze highly complex data using business acumen in order to derive key insights.
Verify the quality, accuracy, and reasonableness of the data.
Display, organize, and craft data into a compelling storyline with actionable insight for the client.
Synthesize analyses, key findings, and potential solutions into actionable recommendations.
Work with senior managers to prepare and deliver materials, including client presentations, white papers, case studies.
Stay abreast of industry, market, and business competitive trends.
Leads efforts to keep the senior management team informed of key industry, competitive, and product trends.
Recommends new and enhanced capabilities and services.
Serve as part of team responsible for content development to position the Education Savings Team as industry thought leader; be subject matter expert to internal and external partners