VANGUARD

Readiness and Delivery Manager

Melbourne, Australia Full time

About Vanguard 

More than 45 years ago, John C. Bogle had a vision to start an investment company that did things differently. A company with no external shareholders. Where all the profits were invested back into the business and used to lower costs. Evidently, it was as bold as it was brilliant. To this day, Vanguard Group still has no external shareholders. That means no share prices to protect, and no profits to generate for outside owners.  

 

Today, Vanguard is one of the world’s largest investment management companies, serving more than 50 million investors worldwide. For more than 25 years Vanguard Australia has been supporting individual investors, financial advisers, and superannuation members to achieve their long-term financial goals.  

Team & Opportunity

The Readiness and Delivery Manager leads a team of specialists to ensure the division is prepared for, and successfully delivers, strategic initiatives, product and process enhancements, operational change and business readiness. This role partners closely with the Partnerships function and is accountable for translating strategy into operational readiness, embedding change, and driving continuous improvement across the business.


Key Responsibilities 

Operational Readiness & Change Delivery 

  • Lead the planning and execution of readiness activities for strategic initiatives, legislative changes, and process improvements. 

  • Provide strategic direction and oversight for the team in planning and executing readiness activities related to strategic initiatives, legislative changes, and process improvements, ensuring alignment with the organization’s broader goals and priorities. Accountability for ensuring that the function meets established project milestones and objectives within established time frames and budget. 

  • Oversee the development and implementation of robust procedures, controls, and documentation to support operational change. 

  • Ensure all readiness activities are aligned with business objectives, regulatory requirements, and risk management frameworks. 

  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams (including Partnerships, Operations, Technology, and Compliance) to ensure seamless delivery and adoption of change. 

Team Leadership & Development 

  • Lead, coach, and develop a team of specialists, fostering a culture of accountability, continuous learning, and high performance. 

  • Set clear roles, responsibilities, and expectations for the team; ensure regular feedback, recognition, and development planning. 

  • Promote cross-skilling, knowledge sharing, and the use of collaborative tools to optimize team effectiveness 

 

 Stakeholder Engagement & Communication 

  • Act as a key point of contact for readiness and delivery matters, providing regular updates to the Head of Partnerships and Readiness and other senior leaders. 

  • Engage stakeholders at all levels to ensure clarity of objectives, progress, and outcomes. 

  • Facilitate workshops, briefings, and training sessions to build readiness capability across the business. 

Continuous Improvement & Best Practice 

  • Identify and implement opportunities to streamline processes, automate manual tasks, and enhance documentation. 

  • Drive a culture of continuous improvement, leveraging feedback, data, and lessons learned to refine readiness and delivery practices. 

  • Maintain up-to-date knowledge of industry trends, regulatory changes, and best practices in operational readiness and change management. 

 

Team Culture and Cross-Functional Collaboration 

  • Actively contribute as an engaged member of the Partnership & Readiness leadership team, championing broader functional deliverables and initiatives. 

  • Support the Head of Partnerships and Readiness in achieving cross-team goals and objectives, fostering collaboration and alignment across the function. 

  • Play a key role in developing and nurturing talent within the team, ensuring succession planning and a pipeline of future leaders. 

 

Key Capabilities & Experience 

  • Proven experience leading operational readiness, change delivery, or business transformation in a complex, regulated environment (e.g., financial services, superannuation, investments). 

  • Strong leadership skills, with a track record of building high-performing teams and driving accountability. 

  • Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate across functions. 

  • Deep understanding of risk, controls, and compliance frameworks. 

  • Experience with process improvement, documentation, and the use of digital tools for project and task management. 

  • Demonstrated ability to manage competing priorities, deliver outcomes, and adapt to changing business needs. 

 

Success Measures 

  • Successful delivery of readiness activities for key initiatives and regulatory changes. 

  • High levels of team engagement, capability, and performance. 

  • Positive feedback from stakeholders on communication, collaboration, and delivery. 

  • Continuous improvement in processes, documentation, and operational efficiency. 

 

Inclusion Statement 

Vanguard’s continued commitment to diversity and inclusion is firmly rooted in our culture. Every decision we make to best serve our clients, crew (internally employees are referred to as crew), and communities is guided by one simple statement: “Do the right thing.” 

 

We believe that a critical aspect of doing the right thing requires building diverse, inclusive, and highly effective teams of individuals who are as unique as the clients they serve. We empower our crew to contribute their distinct strengths to achieving Vanguard’s core purpose through our values. 

When all crew members feel valued and included, our ability to collaborate and innovate is amplified, and we are united in delivering on Vanguard’s core purpose. 

 

Our core purpose: To take a stand for all investors, to treat them fairly, and to give them the best chance for investment success. 

 

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.