The Head of Change and Program Execution is a crucial leadership role responsible for enabling the successful implementation of strategic change initiatives and transformation programs driven by Vanguard’s HR organization. The ideal candidate combines strong strategic thinking skills with a deep understanding of change management and project execution best practices to ensure smooth transitions and achieve results. They will advise our CHRO and the HR Executive Team, play a direct role in developing strategies for managing complex change, and lead a team of program and change management specialists within HR’s Strategy and Operations department.

Core responsibilities

Hires, evaluates, and supervises Vanguard crew (employees). Provides guidance and training as necessary to develop crew. Sets performance standards, reviews performance, and makes informed compensation decisions in accordance with all applicable Human Resources policies and procedures.
Leads a team of change management consultants and program managers to deliver HR-led initiatives effectively. Maintains and develops HR’s change and program management methodologies and tools.
Defines and implements change management strategies for HR’s highest priority initiatives driving changes across the enterprise. This involves assessing the need for change, defining desired outcomes, creating detailed plans for implementation and stakeholder enablement, and anticipating and mitigating potential resistance.
Aligns program and project management expertise to lead and coordinate the end-to-end execution of strategic initiatives driving changes to HR processes, services and/or technologies. Drives all phases of the program lifecycle from inception through implementation while ensuring that business objectives are delivered with high quality and within targeted timeframes.
Cultivates a culture of agility, adaptability, and continuous improvement: Advocates for an organizational mindset that welcomes ambiguity and change, while supporting ongoing learning and development.
Manages communication and stakeholder engagement. Develops and delivers clear and consistent messaging about changes, fosters open communication channels, and actively engages with leaders, crew, and other stakeholder groups to mitigate change related risks.
Builds and maintains strategic relationships across various stakeholder groups and partners to support transformation and change initiatives. Develops strong relationships with program leadership, sponsors, and workstream leads.
Participates in special projects and performs other duties as assigned.

Critical skills

Strong leadership skills: Ability to lead, motivate, and guide teams through complex change processes and inspire confidence.
Excellent communication, stakeholder management and interpersonal skills. Adept at managing situations in which there are conflicting views and priorities across a complex network of stakeholders.
Strategic thinking and planning: Ability to articulate a clear vision for change, align HR initiatives with organizational goals, and create actionable plans for implementation. Ability to convert ideas into action through organization and targeted planning.
Knowledgeable in human behavior and change management principles: Capable of identifying potential resistance to change, creating strategies to address it, and assisting crew during transitions. Skilled at advising HR leaders and program teams on strategies to reduce change related risk and ensure success.
Program and project management expertise: Demonstrated ability to plan, organize, and execute strategic business initiatives and HR programs effectively, managing timelines, resources, and budgets.
Persuasion, Influence and Presence: Demonstrates cultural competence and authenticity to earn HR leaders’ trust and respect, effectively challenging the status quo even without formal authority.
Adaptability and flexibility: Exhibits a proactive approach to adjusting strategies in response to feedback, emerging data, and changing conditions, reflecting strong resilience within dynamic and challenging environments.

Qualifications

Minimum of eight years of related work experience. Five years of business transformation and/or change management experience. Supervisory experience preferred.
Experience with leading change management efforts for large-scale, complex enterprise-level initiatives with changes across people, process and technology
Professional certification in Change Management (Prosci or similar) preferred
Undergraduate degree or equivalent combination of training and experience required. Graduate 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.

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