Head of Corporate Finance, Data & AI

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

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.