📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Senior Manager, Marketing Operations
🔹 Company: Vanguard
🔹 Location: Malvern, PA
🔹 Job Type: Full-Time
🔹 Category: Marketing
🔹 Date Posted: July 28, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 10+ years
🔹 Remote Status: On-site (Hybrid)
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Leadership of Project Management and Vendor Management teams
- Driving operational excellence in marketing initiatives
- Strategic planning and execution of critical programs
- Relationship management with stakeholders and agencies
- Overseeing technology systems and ensuring marketing operations functionality
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strategic and dynamic leader with a strong background in marketing operations and team management to drive success in a complex, fast-paced environment.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Lead and develop Project Management and Vendor Management teams
✅ Influence and manage strategic operational initiatives
✅ Oversee and improve marketing content deployment strategies
✅ Consult with internal partners and maintain stakeholder relationships
✅ Oversee technology systems and ensure marketing operations functionality
✅ Participate in business planning and strategy, and evaluate marketing efforts
✅ Comply with IT policies, Enterprise Data Governance, and other relevant procedures
✅ Participate in special projects and perform other duties as assigned
ASSUMPTION: This role involves a mix of strategic planning, team leadership, and hands-on project management, requiring a versatile and adaptable candidate.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business, or a related field (or equivalent experience)
Experience: Minimum eight years of related work experience, including three years in marketing production and operations. Supervisory experience preferred.
Required Skills:
- Proven leadership and team management skills
- Strong project management and operational excellence background
- Excellent stakeholder communication and relationship-building skills
- Experience with marketing content deployment and technology systems
- Ability to analyze data and evaluate marketing efforts
- Familiarity with IT policies and procedures
Preferred Skills:
- Experience in the financial services industry
- Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) or Project Management Professional (PMP) certification
- Fluency in additional languages
ASSUMPTION: Candidates with a strong background in marketing operations, proven leadership skills, and experience managing teams will be most successful in this role.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $150,000 - $180,000 per year (Based on industry standards for a Senior Manager role in Marketing Operations with 10+ years of experience in the financial services industry.)
Benefits:
- Competitive health, dental, and vision insurance
- 401(k) plan with company match
- Generous paid time off and holidays
- Tuition assistance and professional development opportunities
- Employee discounts on Vanguard funds and services
Working Hours: Full-time, hybrid work arrangement with a mix of on-site and remote work. Typical hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with flexibility for the role's demands.
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards and may vary depending on the candidate's experience and qualifications.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Financial Services. Vanguard is a leading global investment management company with over $7 trillion in assets under management.
Company Size: 10,001+ employees. Vanguard is a large organization with a global presence, offering numerous opportunities for career growth and development.
Founded: 1975. Vanguard was founded by John C. Bogle and is headquartered in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania.
Company Description:
- Vanguard is committed to helping investors achieve their financial goals by offering low-cost index funds and other investment products.
- The company is known for its client-centric approach, focusing on long-term investing and education to empower investors.
- Vanguard has a strong culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous learning.
Company Specialties:
- Index investing
- Retirement planning
- Financial education
- Investment management
Company Website: http://www.vanguard.com
ASSUMPTION: Vanguard's large size and global presence offer numerous opportunities for career growth and development, while its client-centric approach fosters a culture of collaboration and innovation.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Senior Manager. This role is a senior-level position, reporting directly to the Head of Global Brand Marketing.
Reporting Structure: The Senior Manager, Marketing Operations will lead the Project Management and Vendor Management teams and report directly to the Head of Global Brand Marketing.
Work Arrangement: Hybrid. This role follows a hybrid work arrangement, with a mix of on-site and remote work. Employees can expect to work on-site in Malvern, PA, for a few days a week, with the remainder of the time working remotely.
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential to advance to a Director or Vice President role within Marketing Operations or related departments
- Opportunities to lead cross-functional projects and collaborate with other departments
- Access to professional development and training programs to enhance skills and advance career growth
ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant opportunities for career growth and development within Vanguard's Marketing Operations department and related areas.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Hybrid. The Malvern, PA office is a modern, collaborative workspace designed to facilitate teamwork and innovation.
Office Location(s): 100 Vanguard Blvd, Malvern, PA 19355
Geographic Context:
- Malvern is a suburban area located approximately 20 miles west of Philadelphia, PA.
- The region offers a mix of urban and suburban living, with access to cultural attractions, outdoor recreation, and high-quality schools.
- Malvern is conveniently located near major highways and public transportation, making it easily accessible from nearby cities and towns.
Work Schedule: The typical work schedule for this role is Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with flexibility for the role's demands. Employees may be required to work additional hours or be on-call as needed to support marketing initiatives and projects.
ASSUMPTION: The hybrid work arrangement and flexible work schedule offered by Vanguard provide employees with a healthy work-life balance while still meeting the demands of the role.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application and resume submission
- Phone or video screen with the Talent Acquisition team
- Behavioral and situational interview with the hiring manager
- Final interview with key stakeholders or panel discussion
- Background check and offer extension
Key Assessment Areas:
- Leadership and team management skills
- Project management and operational excellence background
- Strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities
- Stakeholder communication and relationship-building skills
- Familiarity with marketing content deployment and technology systems
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
- Be prepared to discuss your leadership style, team management approach, and examples of successful project management initiatives
- Demonstrate your understanding of Vanguard's mission and values, and how your skills and experience align with the company's goals
ATS Keywords: Marketing Operations, Project Management, Vendor Management, Team Leadership, Operational Excellence, Marketing Strategy, Data Analysis, Quality Control, Technology Solutions, Stakeholder Communication, Training, Performance Management, Business Planning, Root Cause Analysis
ASSUMPTION: The interview process for this role will focus on assessing the candidate's leadership, team management, and project management skills, as well as their cultural fit with Vanguard's mission and values.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Project management software (e.g., Asana, Trello, Jira)
- Marketing automation and content management platforms (e.g., Marketo, Contentful, Adobe Experience Manager)
- Data analysis and visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI)
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should have experience with relevant project management, marketing automation, and data analysis tools to be successful in this role.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Put clients first
- Do the right thing
- Act with integrity
- Collaborate and innovate
- Strive for excellence
Work Style:
- Collaborative and team-oriented
- Adaptable and flexible
- Data-driven and analytical
- Strategic and forward-thinking
- Results-focused and accountable
Self-Assessment Questions:
- Do you align with Vanguard's mission to help investors achieve their financial goals?
- Are you comfortable working in a hybrid environment, balancing on-site and remote work?
- Do you thrive in a collaborative, innovative, and results-driven work culture?
ASSUMPTION: Candidates who demonstrate a strong alignment with Vanguard's mission, values, and work style will be most successful in this role.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing multiple projects and priorities simultaneously
- Balancing the demands of on-site and remote work in a hybrid environment
- Collaborating with diverse stakeholders and agencies to drive operational excellence
- Adapting to changes in marketing strategies and priorities
- Ensuring compliance with IT policies, Enterprise Data Governance, and other relevant procedures
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should be prepared to manage competing priorities, adapt to change, and maintain a strong focus on operational excellence in this dynamic role.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- This role is similar to a Senior Marketing Operations Manager or Senior Project Manager within a marketing department, but with a focus on leading teams and driving operational excellence across multiple marketing initiatives.
- Compared to other senior-level marketing roles, this position places a greater emphasis on project management, vendor management, and operational excellence.
- Career paths for this role may include advancement to Director or Vice President roles within Marketing Operations or related departments, as well as opportunities to lead cross-functional projects and collaborate with other departments.
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should consider the unique aspects of this role and how their skills and experience align with the specific demands of the position when comparing it to other senior-level marketing roles.
📝 Sample Projects
- Leading a team to implement a new marketing automation platform, resulting in improved campaign efficiency and increased ROI
- Managing a cross-functional project to develop and launch a new marketing campaign, involving collaboration with creative, content, and media teams
- Conducting a root cause analysis to identify and address issues with marketing content deployment, leading to improved operational efficiency
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should be prepared to discuss their experience with relevant project management, team leadership, and operational excellence initiatives, as well as their ability to drive results and improve marketing efforts.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- Can you describe the team structure and dynamics within the Global Brand Marketing department?
- How does this role collaborate with other departments and stakeholders within Vanguard?
- What are the most pressing challenges facing the marketing operations team, and how can this role address them?
- What opportunities exist for professional development and career growth within this role and the broader organization?
- How does Vanguard support work-life balance for employees in hybrid roles?
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should use the interview process to assess the fit of the role and the organization with their personal and professional goals, as well as to demonstrate their understanding of the position's requirements and the company's mission.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
- Prepare for behavioral and situational interview questions, focusing on your leadership, team management, and project management skills
- Research Vanguard's mission, values, and culture to demonstrate your alignment with the organization
- Follow up with the hiring manager or Talent Acquisition team within one week of your interview to express your continued interest in the position
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
