Vice President, Financial Planning Director - Mid America Region

Position Summary

The Financial Planning Director (FPD) partners with Financial Advisors to deliver a comprehensive and personalized planning experience for high-net-worth (HNW) and ultra-high-net-worth (UHNW) clients. This strategic role provides expertise across advanced planning topics – including tax mitigation strategies, charitable giving, trust and estate planning, and equity compensation – elevating client engagement and enhancing outcomes.

Partner with Financial Advisors to create personalized financial plans using both cash-flow and goals-based planning tools offered by third-party vendor, Money Guide Pro ®, and Morgan Stanley’s proprietary planning platform and modeling tools.

Deliver advanced technical guidance in areas such as:

• Tax-efficient portfolio strategies
• Retirement income distribution planning
• Executive compensation and equity planning
• Charitable and philanthropic strategies
• Risk management and insurance planning
• Wealth transfer, trust, and estate planning

• Lead client-facing planning conversations alongside Financial Advisors and Support Professionals, providing clarity on trade-offs, risks, and long-term implications
• Serve as a planning subject matter expert and coach for Financial Advisors, elevating planning integration into the wealth management process and connecting Financial Advisors to relevant Firm resources
• Contribute to meaningful planning outcomes including net acquired assets to the Firm, track planning engagement metrics, and monitor client follow-through
• Contribute to Financial Advisor development through workshops, CE-eligible sessions, and peer mentoring across the financial planning professional network
• Stay current on tax lax, estate regulations, product and strategy solutions, and market trends to ensure up-to-date advice delivery

• Impactful Client Work:
  Work on complex, multigenerational wealth strategies that go beyond basic planning models
• High Advisor Engagement:
  Collaborate with some of the top Financial Advisors in the industry, supporting their most sophisticated client relationships
• Tech-Enabled Planning:
  Leverage Artificial Intelligence (AI) to deliver positive outcomes for clients and employees while accessing an ecosystem that integrates seamlessly with client data
• Professional Development:
  Participate in a robust peer network, continuing education support, and career pathway opportunities within the planning and advisor management tracks
• Firmwide Visibility:
  Contribute to a firm-level strategic initiative to embed planning in the core of wealth management – driving long-term firm growth

• Bachelor’s degree required
• Certified Financial Planner CFP® designation required
• 5+ years of experience delivering financial plans or wealth strategies to high-net worth clients
• Strong knowledge in tax and estate strategies, and insurance planning
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate with client-facing professionals and communicate planning concepts clearly and credibly
• Proficiency with financial planning platforms (Morgan Stanley proprietary tools, Money Guide Pro ®, or equivalent.)
• Series 7 and 66 preferred or must be obtained as condition of employment

• Chicago, IL

Our hiring procedure is a multistep process that can take four to six weeks to complete. Successful candidates can expect multiple interviews and assessments. All offers of employment are contingent on a background check.

We are committed to maintaining the first-class service and high standard of excellence that have defined Morgan Stanley for over 89 years. Our values - putting clients first, doing the right thing, leading with exceptional ideas, committing to diversity and…