Head of Distribution, US Investment Management

Morningstar•Chicago, IL

5d•$371,425 - $569,525•Hybrid

About The Position

Morningstar’s Investment Management group delivers investment solutions using expertise in asset allocation, manager research, portfolio construction, investment oversight, data, analytics, and independent research. In the U.S., the group partners with financial advisors through model portfolios and solutions designed to integrate into advisor practices and wealth-management workflows. The Head of Distribution, U.S. Investment Management, sets and executes distribution strategy to accelerate sustainable revenue and net flow growth across the region. The role leads the Americas distribution organization, including advisor distribution, sales, national and strategic accounts, portfolio specialists, and advisor practice consulting. It is responsible for expanding market presence, growing relationships with advisors and firms, increasing existing-client wallet share, strengthening partnerships, and bringing new investment capabilities to market. The executive builds the commercial infrastructure, processes, and culture for a differentiated, measurable go-to-market strategy. The role emphasizes understanding advice practices and positioning Morningstar as a trusted partner that helps advisors build profitable, scalable businesses and deliver strong client outcomes. Working with Investments, Product, Marketing, Behavioral Science, Finance, and other leaders, the Head of Distribution brings client and market insights into product strategy and combines Morningstar’s investment capabilities, research, data, and insights to improve the advisor and client experience. The position is based at Morningstar’s global headquarters in Chicago, Illinois, with an expectation of four days per week in the office. Employees select their preferred remote workday within the flexible in-office model.

Requirements

15+ years of experience in asset management, investment management, and/or wealth management, including significant sales and distribution leadership experience.
Proven record of leading and scaling distribution organizations and delivering sustained revenue, net asset flow, and market-share growth.
Deep knowledge of the U.S. intermediary and wealth-management landscape, including financial advisors, RIAs, broker-dealers, platforms, custodians, and strategic accounts.
Understanding of small and mid-sized advice practices, including their economics, operating models, growth challenges, and evolving needs, with demonstrated success helping advisors build more profitable, efficient, and scalable businesses.
Experience developing multichannel go-to-market strategies and strategic partnerships, and successfully launching investment products or capabilities.
Strong commercial and financial acumen, including sales management, forecasting, budgeting, resource allocation, performance management, and P&L exposure.
Ability to translate client and market insights into product and commercial strategy and partner effectively across Investments, Product, Marketing, Finance, and other functions.
Exceptional people leadership, business judgment, executive presence, communication, influence, and relationship-management skills.
Bachelor’s degree required.

Nice To Haves

MBA or advanced degree.

Responsibilities

Develop and execute the U.S. distribution and go-to-market strategy to drive sustainable revenue and net asset flow growth across advisor, intermediary, and strategic-account channels.
Lead and scale the distribution organization, identifying priority markets, client segments, channels, and partnerships, while deepening relationships and increasing wallet share with existing clients.
Partner with Investments, Product, and Marketing to bring new investment capabilities to market and evolve the distribution model based on client needs and market opportunities.
Build a disciplined, data-driven commercial organization with segmentation, coverage models, pipeline management, forecasting, goals, incentives, KPIs, and accountability.
Lead relationships with key national and strategic accounts, including broker-dealers, platforms, custodians, large RIAs, and other intermediary partners, and personally engage in important commercial opportunities.
Build a consultative, partnership-led sales culture focused on advisor success, client outcomes, and long-term growth.
Position Morningstar Investment Management as a strategic partner to advisors, helping practices improve profitability, efficiency, scalability, and client outcomes through investment solutions, practice-management expertise, research, and other Morningstar capabilities.
Develop and scale advisor partnership and practice-management programs, and lead the sales and portfolio specialist capabilities needed to win and expand priority relationships.
Bring advisor, competitive, and market insights into product, investment, marketing, and broader business decisions.
Own revenue and net flow projections and contribute to P&L management, budgeting, forecasting, resource allocation, and strategic planning.
Build, develop, and retain a high-performing distribution organization and leadership team, with clear expectations, accountability, succession, and operating rhythms.
Foster a client-centric, collaborative, high-performance culture aligned with Morningstar’s mission and values.

Benefits

100% 401(k) match up to 6% of salary.
Stock ownership potential.
Company-provided life insurance equal to 1x salary plus commission.
Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits, including potential premium discounts and company-provided HSA contributions of up to $500–$2,000 annually for specific plans and coverages.
Additional medical wellness incentives of up to $300–$600 annually.
Company-provided long- and short-term disability insurance.
Trust-based time off.
Six-week paid sabbatical program.
Six-week paid family caregiving leave.
Paid parental leave of 8–24 weeks.
Adoption assistance.
Leadership coaching and formal mentorship opportunities.
Annual flex stipend of $1,000 for personal education and well-being expenses.
Tuition reimbursement.
Charitable matching gifts program.
Dollars for Doers volunteer program.
Paid volunteering days.
15+ Employee Resource and Affinity Groups.