Director of Investment Operations, Direct Indexing

The Director of Investment Operations leads the execution and ongoing evolution of the operations supporting the direct 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 risk to deliver operational excellence across a highly customized, tax-managed investment offering.

Key Responsibilities 

Investment Operations Leadership 

• Lead the day-to-day execution across investment operations lifecycle middle & back-office functions (account onboarding, portfolio implementation, reconciliation, reporting, contracting, billing, proxy voting, custody/3rd party management). 

• Maintain a scalable operating model supporting high-volume, highly customized SMA portfolios  

• Manage third-party portfolio accounting system.    

• Ensure operational processes support ongoing tax management (tax-loss harvesting, tax transitions, and capital gains management) and portfolio customization (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 across benchmark, security master, 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 

• Promote a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and operational excellence 

Operational Risk & Process Improvement 

• Work with embedded 1st line risk partner to identify operational risks and implement effective controls to manage 

• Drive process standardization and automation to scale operations, streamline workflows, and improve efficiency  

• Support development of key performance metrics and operational reporting 

Vendor & Service Provider Coordination 

• Manage relationships with third-party vendors 

• Establish service-level agreements and monitor performance against operational KPIs 

• Resolve escalations and ensure continuity of service 

Client Experience & Delivery 

• Enable a seamless onboarding and servicing experience for SMA clients 

• Support high-touch client experience through accurate reporting 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 3rd party partners. 

 

Key Qualifications 

• 10+ years in investment operations

• Deep understanding of direct indexing, equity SMAs, 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, BNY Archer, 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 required  

 

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.