Wealth Planning Researcher

Malvern, PA April 17, 2026 Full Time Workday

As a Wealth Planning Researcher within Vanguard’s Investment Strategy Group—Advised Wealth Planning Strategies team—you’ll play a pivotal role in shaping the future of wealth planning. In this intellectually rich environment, you’ll lead research initiatives that enhance our existing methodologies and pioneer innovative wealth planning strategies. Grounded in rigorous quantitative analysis, your work will ensure Vanguard’s advice remains industry-leading. Collaborating with subject matter experts and internal stakeholders, you’ll align our guidance with evolving client needs and business priorities. As a trusted authority on complex financial planning topics, you’ll also provide strategic insights to internal and external audiences and mentor investment analysts across the organization.

Responsibilities:

  • Leads the development of changes to Vanguard's wealth planning methodology. Partners with subject matter experts to design solutions to meet changing business needs, regulatory requirements, and to position Vanguard's advice ahead of external competitive developments.

  • Serves as an expert on the application of Vanguard's wealth planning methodology in the development of client investment strategies and construction of portfolios. Contributes to overall wealth planning methodology development.

  • Researches, conducts analyses, and provides recommended changes to investments, portfolio construction, and wealth planning guidance. Ensures compliance with Vanguard wealth planning methodology and investment guidelines while applying knowledge of the external business environment and its implications on Vanguard's strategic direction.

  • Serves as a subject matter expert for crew and leaders. Develops and conducts wealth planning methodology training activities for all crew delivering advice to clients.

  • Develops an expert-level understanding of overall financial markets and the related legal, tax, and regulatory issues that impact Vanguard's wealth planning methodology. Supports investments-related projects to analyze and research opportunities to enhance client investment strategies.

  • Participates in special projects and perform other duties, as assigned.

 

Qualifications:

  • Undergraduate degree or equivalent combination of training and experience

  • Graduate degree in Financial Planning, Economics, Finance, or related fields strongly preferred.

  • Strong knowledge of financial planning and investments

  • Demonstrated experience with utility-based lifecycle financial planning models strongly preferred.

  • Proficiency in Python for model development strongly preferred.

Special Factors

Sponsorship

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. 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.

Apply on company site

How to Get Hired at Vanguard

  • The Vanguard Group is the world's second-largest asset manager with ~$10T AUM and ~21,000 employees, headquartered on a 100-acre wooded campus at 100 Vanguard Boulevard in Malvern PA, with major U.S. offices in Charlotte NC, Phoenix AZ, and Scottsdale AZ, plus international offices in London, Melbourne, Mexico City, and Shanghai.
  • Vanguard is mutually owned by its own funds (and through them by the funds' investors) — there is no IPO, no parent company, no founding family equity stake, and no external shareholder. This structure is the source of the firm's roughly 0.07 percent average expense ratio and is referenced in nearly every internal cultural conversation. Engaging with this structure understandingly is the single biggest cultural-fit signal you can send.
Read the full guide

How well do you match this role?

Check My Resume