Vice President, Financial Planning Director - Charlotte, NC

The Global Investment Office (GIO) is the investment and research hub within Morgan Stanley Wealth Management, comprising more than 250 analysts, strategists, and planners dedicated to supporting financial advisors and their clients. Led by the Wealth Management CIO, GIO develops the firm’s investment strategy by integrating financial planning, asset allocation, and portfolio construction insights. Serving as an extension of an advisor’s practice, GIO provides the tools, research, and intellectual capital to help advisors deepen client engagement, enhance investment performance, scale their businesses, and drive growth across all client segments.

Morgan Stanley Wealth Management provides holistic financial solutions to individuals, families and institutions. With a legacy of innovation and a commitment to excellence, our Financial Planning Directors empower Financial Advisors and clients to make confident decisions around life’s most complex financial questions.

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.

Key Responsibilities

• Partner with Financial Advisors to create personalized financial plans using both cash‑flow and goals‑based planning tools offered by third‑party vendor, MoneyGuidePro®, and Morgan Stanley’s proprietary planning platform and modeling tools.
• Deliver advanced technical guidance in: 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 law, estate regulations, product and strategy solutions, and market trends to ensure up‑to‑date advice delivery.

What Makes This Role Unique

• Impactful client work: complex, multigenerational wealth strategies beyond basic planning models.
• High advisor engagement: collaborate with 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.
• Firm‑wide visibility: contribute to a firm‑level strategic initiative to embed planning in the core of wealth management – driving long‑term firm growth.

Qualifications

• 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, MoneyGuidePro®, or equivalent).
• Current active Series 7 and 66 required for the role.
• Candidates will be considered for the following location: Charlotte, NC.

Equal‑Opportunity Employer

Morgan Stanley is an equal‑chance 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. For more information, please visit