Head of Architecture - Advice & Wealth Management Technology at Vanguard

Malvern, Pennsylvania, United States

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Not SpecifiedCompensation

Expert & Leadership (9+ years), Senior (5 to 8 years)Experience Level

Full TimeJob Type

UnknownVisa

Wealth Management, Financial ServicesIndustries

Requirements

15+ years in enterprise architecture or large-scale system design
Deep understanding of wealth management platforms, advisor tools, and client experience
Proven success in developing and implementing architecture roadmaps that support business transformation
Strong leadership and team-building skills across multiple architecture domains
Excellent communication and stakeholder influence, including executive-level engagement
Experience with cloud-native design, microservices, APIs, and event-driven systems
Business acumen and collaborative mindset with a focus on client outcomes
Familiarity with regulatory and risk frameworks in financial services

Responsibilities

Develop a multi-year architecture strategy aligned with AWM’s business and product goals, guiding platform modernization, capability integration, and long-term investment planning
Lead and mentor a team across product, domain, and enterprise architecture, fostering collaboration, consistency, and technical excellence
Partner with digital product managers and delivery leaders to ensure architectural designs enable successful execution of roadmaps and support scalable, supportable solutions
Define and enforce architecture principles and governance, reviewing critical designs and guiding trade-offs to maintain alignment with enterprise standards and risk frameworks
Collaborate with enterprise technology teams—cloud, security, infrastructure, and data governance—to ensure alignment with firm-wide strategy while advocating for AWM’s unique needs
Champion modern engineering practices including DevOps, continuous delivery, and automated testing, promoting speed and resilience without compromising architectural integrity
Bring broad wealth management industry into Vanguard’s architecture strategy, ensuring our platforms remain competitive and responsive to a rapidly evolving wealth landscape
Communicate architecture strategies to senior executives and stakeholders, translating complex technical concepts into clear, business-aligned narratives that drive consensus and action
Maintain a long-term strategic focus, providing oversight and guidance to ensure delivery aligns with architectural vision—without direct delivery management

Skills

Architecture Strategy

Platform Modernization

DevOps

Continuous Delivery

Automated Testing

Cloud

Security

Data Governance

Enterprise Architecture

Wealth Management Technology

Vanguard

Client-owned investment management firm offering low-cost funds

About Vanguard

Vanguard provides financial services with a focus on investment management. The company offers a variety of products, including mutual funds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), individual retirement accounts (IRAs), and 401k rollovers, aimed at individual investors, financial advisors, and institutions. Vanguard's unique ownership structure means it is owned by its funds, which are in turn owned by the clients, allowing it to prioritize the needs of its investors over external shareholders. This model enables Vanguard to offer low-cost investment options, as it primarily earns revenue through management fees that are generally lower than industry standards. Additionally, Vanguard provides personalized investment advisory services, charging fees based on the assets managed. The company's goal is to help clients grow their wealth and achieve their financial objectives through effective investment strategies, while maintaining a competitive performance track record.

Kline Township, PennsylvaniaHeadquarters

1975Year Founded

SECONDARYCompany Stage

Fintech, Financial ServicesIndustries

10,001+Employees

Benefits

Best-in-class medical, dental & vision coverage

Onsite health clinic & fitness center

Health Smart Rewards program

Vanguard Retirement Savings Plan

Education Benefits

PTO

Family Planning Benefist

Parental leave

Personal development opportunities

Volunteer Time Off

Risks

Competition from AI-driven platforms like Writer challenges Vanguard's traditional advisory services.

Vanguard's stake in Steelcase exposes it to the volatile furniture market.

New active bond ETFs may struggle in a low-yield environment with increasing competition.

Differentiation

Vanguard is client-owned, aligning its interests with investors, unlike traditional firms.

The firm offers low-cost investment products, making it attractive to cost-conscious investors.

Vanguard's ownership structure allows it to focus on long-term investor value.

Upsides

Vanguard's new active bond ETFs offer diversified, low-cost fixed income options.

The acquisition of Steelcase shares diversifies Vanguard's portfolio into the furniture industry.

Launching the International Dividend Growth Fund appeals to investors seeking sustainable dividend growth.

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