Physical Security Investigator

Other Jobs To Apply

Global Risk and Security (GR&S) at Vanguard enables business strategy, protects client and Vanguard interests (e.g., assets and data), and stewards a strong risk culture. Our teams leverage enterprise-wide insights, deep expertise, and trusted advice so that across Vanguard leaders and crew drive faster, stronger, risk-informed decisions.

Within GR&S, the Enterprise Security and Fraud (ES&F) sub-division is responsible for the global protection of Vanguard crew, property, data, and client assets. We are the trusted advisors that protect the pride of Vanguard with state-of-the-art security and fraud capabilities. We are a world-class destination of highly engaged, passionate, and diverse talent expected to continuously learn and develop in an ever-changing security landscape.

Our crew are our greatest resource – by joining our team you will build collaborative long-term relationships and enjoy a suite of benefits that includes comprehensive health and wellness care, work-life balance, and an investment in your future at its core.

Key Responsibilities

OSINT Investigations

  • Conduct OSINT investigations into individuals, groups, and activities relevant to physical security concerns, suspicious activity, or in response to site security requests.

  • Apply established OSINT methodologies to assess credibility, relevance, and potential risk, incorporating behavioral indicators such as fixation, grievance, escalation, or targeted hostility where present.

  • Research and analyze publicly available information, including social media, online forums, and digital footprints, in accordance with legal, ethical, and policy requirements.

  • Demonstrate familiarity with escalation concepts and common behavioral warning signs to help contextualize open‑source findings.

  • Document investigative findings clearly and accurately, producing investigative summaries that support security assessments and decision making.

  • Support monitoring, follow up research, or case updates as directed based on evolving risk indicators.

  • Maintain organized, well-documented investigative records to support auditability and quality control.

Prescreening Workflow Support & Security Review

  • Support employee prescreening workflows by assisting with intake coordination, tracking status, and ensuring timely progression through established processes.

  • Review adverse or concerning information surfaced through prescreening processes to identify potential physical security relevance.

  • Assist in drafting security recommendations related to adverse findings, clearly documenting observations, considerations, and rationale.

  • Coordinate with physical security, crew relations, legal, and other internal stakeholders to support prescreening-related information flow and follow up actions.

  • Maintain accurate documentation related to prescreening workflows, assessments, and recommendations.

Process Discipline, Improvement & Metrics

  • Follow established investigative and prescreening procedures, templates, and documentation standards.

  • Identify process issues, recurring challenges, or quality gaps and raise observations to senior team members.

  • Support data collection and tracking related to investigative and prescreening volume, timeliness, and outcomes.

  • Contribute to continuous improvement efforts through thoughtful feedback and adherence to best practices.

Collaboration & Communication

  • Communicate investigative findings, observations, and recommendations clearly, objectively, and professionally.

  • Build effective working relationships with internal and external partners by demonstrating reliability, discretion, and attention to detail.

  • Escalate issues, uncertainties, or potential risks appropriately and in a timely manner.

Required Qualifications

  • Experience conducting OSINT research, investigations, or security assessments in a corporate, government, military, or law enforcement environment.

  • Demonstrated understanding of open‑source research techniques and investigative documentation.

  • Familiarity with behavioral threat indicators and escalation concepts, as applied to workplace or person‑based risk.

  • Strong attention to detail and ability to follow structured investigative processes.

  • Ability to synthesize information from multiple sources into clear written summaries.

  • Professional judgment, discretion, and commitment to ethical investigative practices.

  • Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Experience supporting security investigations, physical security teams, or risk-related functions.

  • Familiarity with employee prescreening, due diligence, or internal review workflows.

  • Exposure to investigative case management or tracking tools.

  • Interest in OSINT tradecraft development, investigative quality, and process improvement.

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.

Back to blog

Common Interview Questions And Answers

1. HOW DO YOU PLAN YOUR DAY?

This is what this question poses: When do you focus and start working seriously? What are the hours you work optimally? Are you a night owl? A morning bird? Remote teams can be made up of people working on different shifts and around the world, so you won't necessarily be stuck in the 9-5 schedule if it's not for you...

2. HOW DO YOU USE THE DIFFERENT COMMUNICATION TOOLS IN DIFFERENT SITUATIONS?

When you're working on a remote team, there's no way to chat in the hallway between meetings or catch up on the latest project during an office carpool. Therefore, virtual communication will be absolutely essential to get your work done...

3. WHAT IS "WORKING REMOTE" REALLY FOR YOU?

Many people want to work remotely because of the flexibility it allows. You can work anywhere and at any time of the day...

4. WHAT DO YOU NEED IN YOUR PHYSICAL WORKSPACE TO SUCCEED IN YOUR WORK?

With this question, companies are looking to see what equipment they may need to provide you with and to verify how aware you are of what remote working could mean for you physically and logistically...

5. HOW DO YOU PROCESS INFORMATION?

Several years ago, I was working in a team to plan a big event. My supervisor made us all work as a team before the big day. One of our activities has been to find out how each of us processes information...

6. HOW DO YOU MANAGE THE CALENDAR AND THE PROGRAM? WHICH APPLICATIONS / SYSTEM DO YOU USE?

Or you may receive even more specific questions, such as: What's on your calendar? Do you plan blocks of time to do certain types of work? Do you have an open calendar that everyone can see?...

7. HOW DO YOU ORGANIZE FILES, LINKS, AND TABS ON YOUR COMPUTER?

Just like your schedule, how you track files and other information is very important. After all, everything is digital!...

8. HOW TO PRIORITIZE WORK?

The day I watched Marie Forleo's film separating the important from the urgent, my life changed. Not all remote jobs start fast, but most of them are...

9. HOW DO YOU PREPARE FOR A MEETING AND PREPARE A MEETING? WHAT DO YOU SEE HAPPENING DURING THE MEETING?

Just as communication is essential when working remotely, so is organization. Because you won't have those opportunities in the elevator or a casual conversation in the lunchroom, you should take advantage of the little time you have in a video or phone conference...

10. HOW DO YOU USE TECHNOLOGY ON A DAILY BASIS, IN YOUR WORK AND FOR YOUR PLEASURE?

This is a great question because it shows your comfort level with technology, which is very important for a remote worker because you will be working with technology over time...