Head of Fraud Strategy (Institutional Clients)

About the role

Leads and manages fraud analytics and risk mitigation across the enterprise. Serves as a subject matter expert in the recommendation, development, implementation, and monitoring of risk prevention and data programs.

Global Risk and Security (GR&S) at Vanguard enables business strategy, protects client and Vanguard interests (e.g., assets and data), and stewards a strong risk culture. Within GR&S, the Enterprise Security and Fraud (ES&F) sub-division is responsible for the global protection of Vanguard crew, property, data, and client assets. ES&F is a world-class destination of highly engaged, passionate, and diverse talent expected to continuously learn and develop in an ever-changing security landscape.

Responsibilities

• Set Fraud Strategy & Coverage: Define fraud prevention strategy across real-time payment channels, including risk appetite and control coverage.
• Own Real-Time Decisioning: Design and manage fraud rules, decision logic, and detection strategies within real-time decisioning platforms.
• Lead Platform & Capability Build: Drive enhancements and implementation of fraud rules engines and decisioning platforms in partnership with engineering.
• Optimize Performance Outcomes: Monitor and improve fraud detection, false positives, and client friction through ongoing control tuning and performance management.
• Leverage Data & Models: Use analytics and model insights to identify trends, refine strategies, and improve detection effectiveness.
• Partner Cross-Functionally: Collaborate with Product, Engineering, Risk, and Operations to embed fraud controls into customer journeys and new product launches.
• Influence Senior Stakeholders: Communicate fraud risk, performance, and trade-offs clearly through strong executive storytelling.
• Lead & Develop Team: Build and manage a high-performing team of fraud strategy and analytics professionals.
• Ensure Strong Governance: Maintain disciplined control testing, monitoring, and adherence to risk and regulatory standards.

Requirements

• 10+ years in fraud risk, payments risk, or financial crimes.
• Deep expertise in account takeover, social engineering, and transaction fraud risks within retirement and workplace channels.
• 6+ years of people management experience leading high-performing teams.
• Proven experience managing real-time fraud decisioning environments and rules strategies.
• Strong experience partnering across Product, Engineering, Risk, and Operations.
• Bachelor’s degree in Statistics, Mathematics, Data Science, Finance, Computer Science, or a related field. Graduate degree preferred.

Skills

• Expertise in fraud rules engines / decisioning platforms.
• Strong analytical capabilities (data analysis, segmentation, performance optimization).
• Working knowledge of fraud models / machine learning concepts and model governance.
• Ability to translate data into actionable fraud strategies and business decisions.
• Strong experience with analytical tools such as Python, R, SAS, SQL, and platforms such as Tableau or Power BI.
• Strong stakeholder management with ability to influence senior leaders.
• Excellent communication and executive storytelling skills.
• Highly collaborative with a track record of driving alignment across teams.

Special Factors

Vanguard is 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. We aim to lead through products and services that transform our clients' lives and to learn and develop our skills as individuals and as a team. 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.

Benefits

Our crew are our greatest resource—by joining our team you will build collaborative long-term relationships and enjoy a suite of benefits that includes comprehensive health and wellness care, work-life balance, and an investment in your future at its core.