At Vanguard, we’re committed to putting investors first by empowering our people to do their best work. The SDD Leader develops and leads a high‑performing Sales Development Desk (SDD) team that supports sales processes, systems, and execution against a clearly defined path. This role prioritizes a human‑first, highly engaged SDD culture, champions intentional coaching and mentoring, and builds trust through authenticity. The SDD Leader partners closely with sales leadership and stakeholders to deliver timely market insights, optimize talent, and ensure the team’s work aligns to broader sales strategies and business priorities.

Core Responsibilities People Leadership & Culture

• Hire, evaluate, coach, and develop crew members through intentional leadership that recognizes individual motivation and growth needs.

• Establish clear performance standards, conduct regular performance reviews, and make informed compensation decisions in accordance with Vanguard Human Resources policies and procedures.

• Champion team engagement, morale, and a strong SDD culture grounded in trust, accountability, and collaboration.

• Foster an inclusive, high‑performing environment that supports professional development and sustained results.

Coaching, Development & Performance Enablement

• Lead onboarding and ongoing professional development through structured performance assessments, huddles, coaching conversations, product-of-the-week presentations, and metrics review.

• Provide hands-on coaching, knowing when to offer clear direction versus guided problem solving based on individual and situational needs.

• Facilitate L100 mock calls and support L200 mock calls and Knowledge of Product (KOP) assessments for fast‑tracked crew.

• Guide new hires through licensing decisions, partnering with Vanguard Learning Support Specialists to support self-study or tutor‑led licensing paths.

Recruiting & Talent Management

• Lead internal and external recruiting efforts, including college recruiting initiatives.

• Open and manage job requisitions and oversee Workday transfers and internal mobility.

• Identify individual strengths and development opportunities, aligning responsibilities and growth opportunities to maximize talent effectiveness.

Operational Excellence & Sales Support

• Ensure the team maintains accurate, high‑quality information within client and prospect databases.

• Communicate performance metrics clearly and effectively to drive accountability and continuous improvement.

• Lead sales administration activities, process optimization efforts, and continuous improvement initiatives.

• Ensure new hires and existing crew have appropriate access to required tools and systems, including Seismic, Genesys, AIRM, Advisor Inbox, team calendars, and related platforms.

Collaboration, Strategy & Market Insights

• Deliver timely market insights to keep the SDD informed through huddles, staff meetings, coaching sessions, and ongoing communications.

• Partner with sales leaders and business stakeholders to enable sales crews to maximize time spent on proactive meetings and calls.

• Author and oversee staff meeting agendas, presentations, and communications shared across the sales organization.

• Support the broader sales organization in the development, implementation, and communication of business strategy and annual plans.

• Provide expertise across connected sales technologies and process management, including Envestnet territory management, Morningstar (M) license management, Connect/offsite coverage, and Sail Point access oversight.

• Participate in special projects and perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Five years related work experience. Prior supervisory experience preferred.

• Prior wholesaling experience strongly preferred.

• Undergraduate degree or equivalent combination of training and experience.

• This job requires a regulatory license and/or registration (e.g. FINRA, state, SFC). These will be determined by Compliance based on role-specific duties.

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.