Head of Board & Governance Legal Services
London
Hybrid (Tues–Thurs in office)
As Vanguard Europe continues its growth across the UK, Ireland, and Germany, this role serves as a pivotal leadership position shaping the future of governance across the region. As Head of Board & Governance Legal Services, you will be the principal legal adviser to multiple boards and a strategic enabler of Vanguard’s mission to give investors the best chance for investment success.
You will lead a high‑performing team of legal and governance professionals, driving excellence in corporate governance, board operations, regulatory compliance, and director engagement across seven regulated entities. You will play a core leadership role in Vanguard’s European Office of the General Counsel, collaborating closely with senior leaders across the region and with the US Office of the Corporate Secretary.
This position offers a rare opportunity to influence governance frameworks at scale within one of the world’s largest investment management firms, known globally for its investor‑first ethos, integrity and commitment to long-term stewardship.
Job Description
In this senior leadership role, you will:
- Provide strategic legal and governance counsel on complex, multi‑jurisdictional matters impacting Vanguard’s European funds and regulated entities in the UK, Ireland, and Germany.
- Lead director and board engagement, ensuring high‑trust relationships with independent directors, regional CEOs, and senior executives.
- Oversee exceptional company secretarial execution, ensuring board materials, processes, and operations meet the highest standards of professionalism and regulatory excellence.
- Champion governance innovation - embedding best practice, anticipating regulatory trends, and identifying opportunities for technological and AI-driven efficiency gains.
- Shape and deliver a forward‑looking governance strategy that supports Vanguard’s rapidly evolving European business and reinforces its reputation for stewardship, transparency, and client-first decision‑making.
- Act as a key contributor to the strategic direction of the European Legal Team and the broader European OGC, modelling Vanguard’s cultural values of inclusion, integrity, excellence, and curiosity.
Core Responsibilities
- Act as subject matter expert on corporate governance for boards and senior leaders, ensuring high-quality advice aligned to fiduciary and regulatory obligations.
- Lead, develop, and empower a diverse multi‑location governance team managing high‑profile, sensitive board matters.
- Drive a culture of excellence, inclusion, and continuous improvement across all governance and company secretarial operations.
- Maintain and strengthen relationships with directors, executives, and regulators, serving as a trusted and influential senior stakeholder.
- Oversee delivery of high‑quality board materials and ensure governance processes are robust, timely, and aligned with best practice.
- Identify and implement enhancements to governance frameworks, including technology-driven optimisation and forward‑looking regulatory readiness.
- Design and implement a tailored board training and industry insights programme to strengthen director oversight across all European entities.
- Stay at the forefront of governance trends across the UK, European, and global regulatory landscapes - ensuring Vanguard remains resilient, compliant, and strategically positioned.
- Contribute to enterprise‑wide initiatives and special projects as a senior leader within the European Legal organisation.
Qualifications & Experience
- Qualified lawyer with deep experience in corporate governance within regulated financial services, ideally with significant in‑house exposure.
- Proven ability to steer complex legal and governance matters with professionalism, judgement, and discretion.
- Demonstrated leadership capability - able to inspire teams, influence senior stakeholders, and maintain calm authority in high‑stakes environments.
- Expertise in company law, entity management, regulatory compliance, and governance frameworks across UK/EU regulatory regimes.
- Strong executive presence with exceptional communication skills, enabling effective engagement with directors, C‑suite leaders, and cross-functional teams.
- A forward‑thinking mindset with the ability to identify emerging governance risks, societal expectations, and industry trends.
Inclusion at Vanguard
Vanguard’s culture is rooted in doing the right thing - for clients, for communities, and for crew. Diversity, equity, and inclusion form the backbone of how the organisation builds high‑performing teams and fosters innovation. We welcome applicants who bring unique perspectives and experiences, and who want to contribute to an environment where everyone is valued and able to thrive.
Special Factors
Vanguard is not offering visa sponsorship for this role.
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.
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