About this role
We are seeking a Lead Investment Risk & Controls Auditor to join our Internal Audit team. This role is responsible for owning end-to-end audit engagements across the investment lifecycle, providing independent challenge to front-, middle-, and back-office functions, and influencing stakeholders to strengthen the control environment.
This is a highly visible role requiring a balance of technical audit expertise, investment operations knowledge, and leadership capability. The ideal candidate brings hands-on experience leading audits within investment operations and fund accounting environments, along with the ability to drive outcomes—not just execute testing.
Key Responsibilities
• Lead end-to-end audit engagements, including planning, scoping, execution, and reporting across investment-related processes
• Provide independent challenge to business stakeholders across front office (portfolio management/trading), middle office (investment operations), and back office (fund accounting, NAV oversight)
• Define audit scope, identify risks, and drive testing strategies, ensuring high-quality and efficient execution
• Evaluate the design and operating effectiveness of controls, including NAV calculations, valuations, reconciliations, trade lifecycle processes, and income/expense accuracy
• Identify control gaps and develop actionable, business-relevant recommendations
• Clearly communicate findings to senior leadership, influencing stakeholders to implement improvements in complex or ambiguous environments
• Lead multiple engagements concurrently and drive alignment across cross-functional stakeholders
• Provide informal leadership and coaching to junior team members, including reviewing work and offering feedback
• Support audit risk assessments and contribute to the development of the annual audit plan
• Promote innovation through agile audit techniques and continuous improvement initiatives
Qualifications
• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, or related field; advanced degree or certification (CIA, CFA, FRM) preferred
• 8+ years of experience in financial services, within asset management, internal audit, or investment operations/risk
• Experience leading or owning audit engagements, including planning, execution, and delivery of results
• Strong applied knowledge of the investment lifecycle, with hands-on experience in one or more of the following areas: Fund accounting (NAVs, income, expenses), Valuation and pricing controls, Trade lifecycle and investment operations, Reconciliations and securities processing
• Proven ability to identify control gaps, assess risk, and develop actionable recommendations
• Demonstrated experience presenting to and influencing stakeholders, including senior leadership or front-office teams
• Experience mentoring, reviewing, or guiding others’ work (formal or informal leadership)
• Strong analytical, communication, and stakeholder management skills
• Ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, dynamic environment
This position is hybrid and requires regular on-site presence 3 days per week in Malvern, PA.
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.