Executive Director & Team Lead, IMA Specialists EMEA

Morgan Stanley is a leading global financial services firm providing a wide range of investment banking, securities, investment management and wealth management services. The Firm's employees serve clients worldwide including corporations, governments and individuals from more than 1,200 offices in 43 countries. As a market leader, the talent and passion of our people is critical to our success. Together, we share a common set of values rooted in integrity, excellence and strong team ethic.  Morgan Stanley can provide a superior foundation for building a professional career - a place for people to learn, to achieve and grow. A philosophy that balances personal lifestyles, perspectives and needs is an important part of our culture.

Morgan Stanley Investment Management is one of the largest global asset management organizations of any full-service securities firm, with more than 40 years of history, a presence in 24 countries, and a total of $1.5 trillion in assets under management as of March 31, 2024. MSIM strives to provide outstanding long-term investment performance, service, and a comprehensive suite of investment management solutions to a diverse client base, which includes governments, institutions, corporations, and individuals worldwide.

This unique role sits within the Office of the Chief Operating Officer for Morgan Stanley’s Investment Management Business (MSIM). The responsibilities of the team includes business management and documentation of investment management agreements (IMAs), derivatives business management and documentation and governance and conflicts management. Team-members will be responsible for documentation, negotiation and project-management matters, and will be the personnel in the first-line responsible for designing and implementing solutions to manage legal and other risks for supported business areas.

What you’ll do in the role

The Executive Director will have a primary focus on providing general business support of the Separately Managed Account (SMA) business within the EMEA region, and negotiation of IMAs for the separately managed account client base. The individual will be the lead in relation to these activities in EMEA, responsible for project managing the workload within the region and maintaining/developing relationships with key stakeholders (e.g. Client Relationship Management and Take-on teams, Legal & Compliance, Portfolio Management teams). As this position sits within the Office of the COO, another key function of the role is to provide support for various projects impacting the global investment management business, including strategic and governance-related projects.

Whilst the primary focus of this individual will be on the EMEA region, given the global nature of the IM business and of this team, team members will also be expected to support other geographical regions (including US and Asia-Pacific) as required. There will also be opportunities for this individual to work on wider initiatives and documentation aspects relating to other aspects of the MSIM business. The role will manage the IMA Specialist team based in EMEA and will report to the Global Head of the IMA Specialist team based on the U.S.

What you’ll bring to the role

This is a dynamic position with broad responsibilities, ideal for a motivated, self-starting professional willing to help define the shape of this new role, whilst diving straight into a busy workload. Given the drafting and negotiation aspects of the role, the ideal candidate would be a qualified lawyer. Areas of expertise in a combination (but not necessarily all) of the following areas are desirable:

• Sound understanding of the asset management industry and knowledge of the client base of an institutional asset manager.
• Knowledge of investment management agreements and ancillary agreements and other commercial contracts with clients, distributors, intermediaries, or other agents within the asset management sector.
• Working knowledge of investment funds in general.
• Working knowledge or prior experience of derivative trading documentation (e.g. ISDA/ CSA, clearing agreements, futures documentation), repo and stocklending arrangements) is beneficial but not essential.
• Affinity with financial services regulation, including understanding of current regulatory framework relating to asset management.
• Minimum of 10 years Post-Qualification Experience (PQE) in a major law firm and/or in-house at a sell-side or buy-side financial institution.

Candidates should possess the skills and qualities normally present in lawyers with at least 10 years PQE with the above background. As this role sits within a business function, it is particularly suited for lawyers who are looking for a move into an exciting and evolving business role. The following qualities will be expected:

• Professional maturity, confidence, presence and initiative
• Good judgment and practical outlook; commercially-minded
• Solid drafting and negotiation skills
• Strong organizational skills
• Good written and oral communication skills
• Aptitude for risk and controls
• Strong ability to influence outcomes and stakeholders

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT FROM MORGAN STANLEY:

We are committed to maintaining the first-class service and high standard of excellence that have defined Morgan Stanley for over 85 years. At our foundation are five core values — putting clients first, doing the right thing, leading with exceptional ideas, committing to diversity and inclusion, and giving back — that guide our more than 80,000 employees in 1,200 offices across 42 countries. At Morgan Stanley, you’ll find trusted colleagues, committed mentors and a culture that values diverse perspectives, individual intellect and cross-collaboration. We Firm is differentiated by the caliber of our diverse team. While our company culture and commitment to inclusion define our legacy and shape our future, helping to strengthen our business and bring value to clients around the world. Learn more about how we put this commitment to action: morganstanley.com/diversity. We are proud to support our employees and their families at every point along their work-life journey, offering some of the most attractive and comprehensive employee benefits and perks in the industry.

We're committed to bringing passion and customer focus to the business.

Certified Persons Regulatory Requirements:
If this role is deemed a Certified role and may require the role holder to hold mandatory regulatory qualifications or the minimum qualifications to meet internal company benchmarks.

Flexible work statement
Interested in flexible working opportunities? Morgan Stanley empowers employees to have greater freedom of choice through flexible working arrangements. Speak to our recruitment team to find out more.

Morgan Stanley is an equal opportunities employer. We work to provide a supportive and inclusive environment where all individuals can maximize their full potential. Our skilled and creative workforce is comprised of individuals drawn from a broad cross section of the global communities in which we operate and who reflect a variety of backgrounds, talents, perspectives, and experiences. Our strong commitment to a culture of inclusion is evident through our constant focus on recruiting, developing, and advancing individuals based on their skills and talents.