Head of Endowments & Foundations - Outsourced Chief Investment Office (OCIO) (New York)

Role Overview

Morgan Stanley is seeking an experienced investment leader to serve as Head of the Endowments & Foundations vertical within our Outsourced Chief Investment Office (OCIO). This individual will be a senior member of the OCIO leadership team, responsible for leading and growing a business dedicated to serving nonprofit institutions through discretionary and advisory investment solutions.

The role provides strategic leadership across investment management, client engagement, and business development. While primarily an oversight role, the successful candidate will bring the credibility and expertise to engage directly with clients and represent the firm in high-stakes situations. The position includes leadership of a team of approximately 15 investment professionals, with a mandate to scale the platform over time.

Key Responsibilities

Business & Team Leadership

• Lead, manage, and continue to build a team of ~15 investment officers and professionals focused on the endowments and foundations client segment
• Establish strategic priorities, drive execution, and support the continued growth of the business
• Foster a high-performance culture centered on investment excellence, collaboration, and client service
• Oversee talent development, recruitment, and succession planning as the platform expands
• In capacity as head of client segment, serve as a risk manager for the client segment book and carry out all related functions

Investment Strategy & Oversight

• Ensure and support team’s collaboration with subject matter experts on alternative assets and portfolio construction in order to create scale and strong investment performance
• Provide oversight of asset allocation, manager selection, and portfolio implementation to ensure consistency and quality
• Ensure and support team’s collaboration with subject matter experts on alternative assets and portfolio construction in order to create scale and strong investment performance Partner with centralized investment teams to incorporate firm-wide research, capital markets insights, and best practices
• Ensure robust risk management across portfolios, aligned with client objectives and long-term capital preservation

Client Leadership & Commercial Impact

• Serve as a senior representative of Morgan Stanley in client engagements, including finals presentations, investment committee meetings, and board interactions
• Support business development efforts by contributing to new mandate origination and competitive positioning
• Maintain the ability to step into key client relationships as needed, particularly in complex or high-visibility situations
• Strengthen the firm’s reputation and presence within the endowment and foundation community

Platform Development

• Drive the continued evolution and scalability of the endowments and foundations vertical within OCIO
• Collaborate across investment, distribution, and operational teams to enhance platform capabilities and client experience
• Monitor industry trends and competitive dynamics to inform strategy and positioning

Qualifications

• 15+ years of institutional investment experience, including significant experience advising endowments and foundations
• Broad expertise across asset classes, including public and private markets, with strong proficiency in asset allocation, portfolio construction, and manager selection
• Strong knowledge of global capital markets and portfolio management disciplines, including risk management and performance attribution
• Experience across a range of investment vehicles and platforms, including managed accounts, mutual funds, ETFs, separate accounts, and alternative investments
• Demonstrated leadership experience managing investment teams and overseeing complex client portfolios
• Proven ability to engage effectively with investment committees, boards, and senior stakeholders
• Track record of supporting business development efforts and participating in competitive client situations
• Ability to operate effectively as a senior leader within a large, matrixed organization
• Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver in a fast-paced environment
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with strong attention to detail and professional accountability
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Word) and ability to learn to incorporate AI to increase productivity
• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree and/or professional designations (e.g., CFA, CAIA) preferred
• FINRA Series 7 and 66 (or 63 and 65) required, or willingness to obtain within 180 days of hire (additional licensing may be required)

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT FROM MORGAN STANLEY:

At Morgan Stanley, we raise, manage and allocate capital for our clients – helping them reach their goals. We do it in a way that’s differentiated – and we’ve done that for 90 years. Our values - putting clients first, doing the right thing, leading with exceptional ideas, committing to diversity and inclusion, and giving back - aren’t just beliefs, they guide the decisions we make every day to do what's best for our clients, communities and more than 80,000 employees in 1,200 offices across 42 countries. At Morgan Stanley, you’ll find an opportunity to work alongside the best and the brightest, in an environment where you are supported and empowered. Our teams are relentless collaborators and creative thinkers, fueled by their diverse backgrounds and experiences. 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. There’s also ample opportunity to move about the business for those who show passion and grit in their work.

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Morgan Stanley is an equal opportunity employer committed to building and maintaining a workforce that is diverse in experience and background. Our recruiting efforts reflect our strong commitment to a culture of inclusion, where individuals are hired, developed, and advanced based on their skills and talents.

Our workforce reflects a broad cross-section of the global communities in which we operate, bringing a variety of backgrounds, talents, perspectives, and experiences.

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