Senior Manager, Communications Strategy - Employer Brand

hackajob is collaborating with Vanguard to connect them with exceptional professionals for this role.

We are seeking an accomplished senior communications people leader for Vanguard’s Communications Strategy Group (within Corporate Communications). Serves as a senior communications counselor and spokesperson for Employer Brand related coverage areas, leading the development and execution of integrated strategies that drive measurable impact for the enterprise.

Combines deep business acumen with strategic foresight to anticipate risks, influence decisions at the highest levels, and advance Vanguard’s brand and reputation. Manages a team of communications professionals, maintains a robust internal and external network, and consistently delivers innovative communications aligned with enterprise priorities.

We are seeking an accomplished senior communications people leader for Vanguard’s Communications Strategy Group (within Corporate Communications). Serves as a senior communications counselor and spokesperson for Employer Brand related coverage areas, leading the development and execution of integrated strategies that drive measurable impact for the enterprise.
Combines deep business acumen with strategic foresight to anticipate risks, influence decisions at the highest levels, and advance Vanguard’s brand and reputation. Manages a team of communications professionals, maintains a robust internal and external network, and consistently delivers innovative communications aligned with enterprise priorities.

Core Responsibilities

• Hires, evaluates, and supervises crew. Develops and retains top talent; provides coaching and career development to sustain a high-performing, future-ready team.

• Sets strategic direction and leads the development of integrated communications strategies to enable strategic business outcomes. Sets vision and guides multi-level teams, ensuring alignment with enterprise priorities and adapting plans as needed.

• Translates enterprise and business strategies into messaging and content, personally crafting narratives for complex topics and executive audiences. Oversees messaging consistency and alignment with Vanguard’s positioning and key themes.

• Protects and advances Vanguard's reputation through all communications across channels and platforms (e.g. earned media, social media, owned channels, etc.). Anticipates risks, balances risk/reward, and proactively sources and delivers strategic, business-critical communications.

• Drives the impact of collective communication strategies, ensuring execution of all phases—conception, implementation, and measurement. Partners closely with senior leaders (C-suite-level) to advise and influence decisions at the highest levels.

• Serves as Vanguard's authority on industry best practices and emerging trends, introducing innovative tactics and concepts to elevate communications. Balances external practice with internal brand and culture.

• Strengthens relationships with key influencers, executives, journalists across top-tier and trade outlets, and agency partners—leveraging a robust internal and external network to shape narratives and secure impactful coverage.

• Leads the development and oversight of practice area measurement framework tied to goals and KPIs, partnering closely with internal centers of excellence and analytics teams to enhance impact. Provides consistent transparency and accountability to managers and business partners.

• Participates in special projects and performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Minimum eight years related work experience, with at least five years in communications and PR preferred.

• Prior experience leading communication strategy teams/organizations dealing with employer brand-related issues and topics.

• Strong media relations experience is preferred.

• Proven track record of people leadership, influence, and enterprise impact preferred.

• Undergraduate degree or equivalent combination of training and experience. 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.