Head of Defined Contribution Investment Only (DCIO)

The Vanguard Group•Scottsdale, PA

About The Position

Vanguard is seeking an enterprise-minded, client-first leader to set the strategy for its Defined Contribution Investment Only (DCIO) business, which is described as the industry’s largest DCIO franchise, responsible for $3 trillion in assets. The Head of DCIO leads a high-performing team managing relationships with plan sponsors, investment committees, and senior stakeholders across large, mid-sized, and core markets. The role is accountable for client advocacy, retention, responsible growth, executive engagement, and the relationship and service model for complex defined contribution clients. It brings together investment expertise, commercial judgment, disciplined execution, and relationship leadership while coordinating partners across investments, sales, product, operations, service, advice, legal, risk, and compliance. The leader sets short- and long-term business strategy, develops talent and succession capabilities, and fosters an inclusive culture of accountability, collaboration, and client advocacy. The role leads investment-focused business reviews and strategic discussions, expands appropriate use of Vanguard’s defined contribution investment solutions, manages relationship and operational risks, and turns client and market insights into business priorities and service and product opportunities. The Head of DCIO also contributes to business planning, resource and budget decisions, performance measurement, and financial management, and represents Vanguard with senior clients, consultants, and industry partners. Travel is required based on client and business needs. Vanguard is not offering visa sponsorship for this position. Vanguard’s hybrid working model applies to the majority of crew members; the posting does not specifically state whether this position follows that model.

Requirements

Deep expertise in defined contribution asset management, investment-only retirement solutions, or a closely related financial services field.
Demonstrated success leading complex defined contribution client relationships and influencing plan sponsors, investment committees, consultants, and executive-level stakeholders.
Strong knowledge of capital markets, portfolio construction, manager selection and oversight, and defined contribution investment vehicles, including mutual funds and collective investment trusts.
A record of developing and executing business strategy, strengthening retention, identifying responsible growth opportunities, and leading through changing client and market conditions.
Exceptional strategic thinking, commercial judgment, executive communication, presentation, negotiation, and problem-solving capabilities.
Ability to lead across a highly matrixed organization, build alignment among diverse stakeholders, and influence outcomes without direct authority.
Proven people leadership, including building inclusive teams, developing talent, setting high standards, and driving measurable outcomes.
Working knowledge of the retirement regulatory environment, including ERISA and fiduciary considerations relevant to defined contribution clients.
Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience in defined contribution investments, retirement, asset management, or a related field, including significant people leadership experience.
Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent combination of education and relevant professional experience.
Active FINRA Series 7 and Series 63 registrations required.
Active FINRA Series 24 registration required.
Travel based on client and business needs is required.
Vanguard is not offering visa sponsorship for this position.

Nice To Haves

Graduate degree.
CFA designation.

Responsibilities

Set and execute short- and long-term DCIO business strategy aligned with Workplace Solutions and enterprise priorities.
Grow, lead, develop, and inspire a high-performing team; establish clear outcomes, strengthen succession and capability building, and foster an inclusive culture of accountability, collaboration, and client advocacy.
Own relationship strategy and the service model for complex defined contribution relationships, with accountability for executive engagement, client satisfaction, retention, risk management, and responsible growth.
Build trusted partnerships with plan sponsors, investment consultants, investment committees, recordkeepers, trustees, and other key decision-makers across large, mid-sized, and core markets.
Lead investment-focused business reviews and strategic conversations covering client objectives, market and industry developments, portfolio strategy, product performance, plan design, participant outcomes, and emerging needs.
Expand appropriate use of Vanguard’s defined contribution investment capabilities, including mutual funds, collective investment trusts, target-date strategies, model portfolios, and other investment solutions.
Identify and mitigate relationship, service, operational, and retention risks; ensure complex client issues are resolved with urgency, sound judgment, and effective escalation.
Partner across investments, sales, product, operations, service, advice, legal, risk, and compliance to deliver coordinated client outcomes and improve the end-to-end relationship experience.
Translate client, consultant, competitive, regulatory, and market insights into business priorities, service enhancements, product opportunities, and thought leadership.
Contribute to annual business planning, resource and budget decisions, performance measurement, and financial management, including client and segment economics.
Represent Vanguard externally with senior clients, consultants, industry partners, and forums, strengthening the firm’s reputation as a trusted investment and retirement leader.