Why This Role Matters
At Vanguard, we’re transforming how Corporate Finance delivers insight, speed, and strategic impact. As the Head of Corporate Finance, Data & AI, you will define and lead a bold strategy to embed data, analytics, and AI across Finance—reimagining how decisions are made and how value is delivered.
This is a high-impact leadership role at the intersection of Finance and technology. You will build and scale the capabilities that power Finance’s next chapter—unlocking step-change improvements in transparency, efficiency, and insight—while ensuring a disciplined, risk-aware approach aligned with our enterprise standards.
What You’ll Do
Set the Strategy and Deliver Impact
- Define and execute the Corporate Finance Data & AI strategy, establishing a clear roadmap aligned with enterprise priorities
- Drive adoption of modern analytics and AI tools across Finance to improve speed, accuracy, and decision-making
- Identify capability gaps and design scalable, integrated solutions to advance Finance maturity
Lead and Scale High-Performing Teams
- Build and lead world-class teams across data analytics, data engineering, governance, and AI
- Establish a high-performance culture with clear goals, coaching, and talent development
- Operate across direct and matrixed environments to scale impact across Corporate Finance
Enable Data-Driven Decision Making
- Partner with senior Finance leaders (e.g., BU CFOs, FP&A, CAO) to deliver actionable, data-driven insights
- Translate complex analytics and AI outputs into clear business recommendations
- Position the team as trusted advisors to Finance and enterprise stakeholders
Accelerate Adoption Through Partnership & Enablement
- Collaborate with Finance and business partners to design intuitive, self-service analytics and AI capabilities
- Develop frameworks, guardrails, and training to enable responsible and sustainable adoption
- Build Finance-wide data and AI literacy through targeted enablement programs
Drive Innovation with Strong Governance
- Embed governance, controls, and monitoring across data and AI workflows to ensure quality, transparency, and compliance
- Balance innovation with risk management, auditability, and regulatory expectations
- Stay ahead of industry trends and represent Vanguard within the broader analytics and AI community
Manage Investments and Partnerships
- Lead budget planning and prioritize technology investments aligned to strategic objectives
- Oversee vendor relationships and partnerships, ensuring delivery accountability and value realization
What It Takes
Experience & Leadership
- 12–15+ years of experience in senior Data & AI leadership roles, delivering enterprise-scale transformation
- Proven ability to define strategy and execute with measurable business impact
- Demonstrated success building and scaling high-performing, multi-disciplinary teams
Finance & Business Acumen
- Strong understanding of Corporate Finance processes (e.g., FP&A, reporting, controllership)
- Track record of applying data, analytics, and AI to improve efficiency, accuracy, and decision-making
Technical Expertise
- Deep experience in modern data architecture, including data products, semantic layers, and scalable pipelines
- Hands-on experience deploying AI solutions at scale, including generative AI and advanced orchestration frameworks
- Familiarity with enterprise data and AI ecosystems (e.g., cloud platforms, modern data platforms, AI copilots)
Governance & Operating Model Design
- Proven ability to establish data and AI governance frameworks (data quality, lineage, model monitoring, access controls)
- Experience designing operating models that balance centralized governance with decentralized innovation
Transformation & Change Leadership
- Experience leading enterprise-wide adoption and enablement initiatives
- Strong background in process transformation, automation, and workflow redesign
Influence & Communication
- Exceptional ability to communicate complex technical concepts to senior business leaders
- Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills across executive audiences
Additional Qualifications
- Experience managing technology vendors and external partners
- Bachelor’s degree required; MBA or advanced degree preferred
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.