Ultra-High-Net-Worth Planning Specialist, VP

Morgan Stanley • New York, NY

6d

About The Position

The Vice President, Ultra High Net Worth Planning Specialist is an experienced financial planning professional and member of Morgan Stanley’s Ultra High Net Worth Financial Planning Team. The Specialist works directly with Financial Advisors and ultra-high-net-worth clients throughout the financial planning process, from discovery and holistic plan development through interpretation of results and presentation of recommendations. The role develops comprehensive plans addressing cash flow, retirement, investments, income tax, insurance, wealth transfer, charitable giving, asset protection, and estate planning, with a particularly strong focus on sophisticated estate planning strategies and clearly explaining complex concepts.

The Specialist is also an escalation resource for Financial Planning Directors and Financial Advisors on Wealth Studios software, planning methodologies, and complex client scenarios, and supports Financial Advisor training on financial planning software and related capabilities. The position covers the Southeast region, involves limited travel, and requires working in the office at least four days per week.

Morgan Stanley describes an environment that supports and empowers employees, encourages collaboration and creative thinking, and offers employee benefits and perks. The company states that it is committed to diversity, inclusion, and equal opportunity.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree.
• CFP certification.
• Five to ten years of progressively responsible experience in financial planning, wealth management, or a related professional field.
• Experience developing and presenting comprehensive financial plans for high-net-worth or ultra-high-net-worth individuals, families, and business owners.
• Strong knowledge of general financial planning principles, insurance planning, investment planning, retirement planning, income tax planning, and estate planning.
• Advanced knowledge of estate planning concepts and the ability to analyze and explain lifetime gifting, generation-skipping transfer tax planning, intentionally defective grantor trusts, charitable remainder trusts, testamentary charitable lead trusts, grantor retained annuity trusts, qualified personal residence trusts, marital trusts, bypass or credit shelter trusts, qualified terminable interest property trusts, and irrevocable life insurance trusts.
• Ability to explain the structure, purpose, funding, and flow of assets among trust arrangements and within an overall estate plan.
• Excellent executive presence and the ability to communicate credibly and professionally with Financial Advisors, clients, family members, attorneys, accountants, and other professional advisors.
• Strong presentation, facilitation, listening, and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to translate technical planning concepts into clear, client-friendly language.
• Strong analytical skills and attention to detail, with the ability to accurately interpret complex financial planning results.
• Demonstrated judgment, discretion, and sensitivity when working with confidential client information and complex family circumstances.
• Strong coaching, consultative, and persuasive skills.
• Commitment to collaboration, partnership, and teamwork.
• Ability to take initiative and proactively address Financial Advisor and client needs.
• Ability to manage multiple complex planning engagements and competing priorities in a timely manner.
• Series 7 and any other required licenses must be obtained within the first six months of employment.
• Ability to travel on a limited basis.
• Ability to work in the office a minimum of four days per week.

Nice To Haves

• Advanced professional degree or designation, such as a CPA, MBA, or JD.
• Experience working in a wirehouse, private bank, family office, registered investment adviser, trust company, or similar wealth management environment.
• Experience supporting Financial Advisors and presenting directly to ultra-high-net-worth clients.
• Experience training or coaching Financial Advisors on financial planning processes and technology.
• Experience reading estate documents, such as wills and trusts.
• Knowledge of or experience with Wealth Studios.
• Familiarity with NumberCruncher, Planned Giving Manager, and QuickView.

Responsibilities

• Partner with Financial Advisors and ultra-high-net-worth clients to conduct discovery and identify goals, priorities, family dynamics, financial circumstances, and planning needs.
• Create holistic financial plans using Wealth Studios and other financial planning applications.
• Analyze and interpret plan results, identify planning opportunities, and develop clear, actionable observations for Financial Advisors and clients.
• Present financial plans and complex planning concepts professionally and effectively in client meetings.
• Tailor technical information to each client’s level of financial sophistication and support productive discussions with clients and their professional advisors.
• Collaborate with Financial Planning Directors and Wealth and Estate Planning Strategists on complex financial and estate planning matters.
• Serve as an escalation resource for Financial Planning Directors and Financial Advisors regarding Wealth Studios functionality, financial planning analysis, and complex client scenarios.
• Provide Financial Advisors with training and ongoing support on Wealth Studios and the firm’s financial planning process.
• Help Financial Advisors incorporate holistic financial planning into broader wealth management relationships.
• Maintain current knowledge of financial planning concepts, relevant tax and estate planning considerations, planning software, and industry practices.
• Track and report planning activity, client engagement, training, and other relevant metrics as requested by team leadership.
• Travel within the Southeast region on a limited basis for client meetings, Financial Advisor engagement, training, and other business needs.

Benefits

• Employee benefits and perks described as among the most attractive and comprehensive in the industry.
• Benefits and perks supporting employees and their families throughout their work-life journey.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior