Head of Business Development, Switzerland

JobsCloseBy Editorial Insights

Vanguard seeks a Head of Business Development in Zurich to lead a sales team focused on intermediary clients across Switzerland, driving profitable new business and client asset retention. The role demands strategic thinking, senior relationship management with prospect executives, and hands-on leadership of wholesale and intermediary sales, with deep knowledge of offerings and the competitive landscape. Success hinges on executive presence, compelling communication, and the ability to position Vanguard credibly. When applying, highlight 8 to 10 years in financial services with 5+ years in senior client or prospect roles, proven leadership, CFA or master’s preferred, English plus local language skills, and willingness to travel within a hybrid work model with Swiss market focus.

---

Leads a team of sales professionals and sales support specialists. Engages in sales activity focused on intermediary clients for a large territory or multiple territories. Provides strategic direction for all intermediary-focused sales activity.

To successfully build the intermediary asset base with profitable new business relationships. To assist in the ongoing retention of client assets.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Manages staff. Provides guidance, training and motivation as necessary to develop staff. Hires, evaluates and counsels crew. Follows corporate disciplinary procedures per established Vanguard standards as required. Sets performance standards, reviews performance, provides feedback, and recommends wage increases in accordance with all applicable Human Resources and country
• policies and procedures.
• Achieves established sales and retention goals through personal direction of all executive and staff level activities of the sales process.
• Effectively presents Vanguard's investments and services to prospects, clients and industry organizations through written, verbal and electronic media.
• Develops strong relationships with senior and executive management of prospect and client organizations.
• Raises awareness of Vanguard's investments and services through targeted prospecting activities.
• Implements long term relationship growth strategies for key territory prospects.
• Uses expertise of market and competitive environments to help position Vanguard's services appropriately.
• Provides support to other members of the Sales & RM team and guidance to the support staff to achieve highest levels of performance.
• Contributes as a member of the European Distribution management team.
• Supports corporate initiatives and actively participate in programs as appropriate.
• Participates in special projects and performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Eight to ten years financial services experience with at least five years in a senior level client or prospect relationship role. Five plus years of successful wholesale, institutional and intermediary sales experience preferred.
• Proven ability to think and perform strategically, bringing innovative solutions to complex client or prospect situations.
• Proven ability to successfully develop strong working relationships with executive management in the prospect organization and internally within Vanguard.
• Extensive knowledge of institutional & intermediary investment offerings.
• Strong knowledge of the competitive environment.
• Excellent executive presence, poise and presentation skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong leadership and personnel development skills.
• Undergraduate degree or equivalent combination of training and experience.
• Masters degree and/or Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), preferred.
• Excellent commands of English is a must and proficiency in the language of the target markets is highly recommended.

Special Factors

Frequent travel required.

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.