Vice President, Financial Planning Director - Western Region

Position Summary

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.

Key Responsibilities

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.

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 Areas Such As

• 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 lax, estate regulations, product and strategy solutions, and market trends to ensure up-to-date advice delivery

What Makes This Role Unique

• Impactful Client Work: Work on complex, multigenerational wealth strategies that go beyond basic planning models
• High Advisor Engagement: Collaborate with some of the 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
• Firmwide 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 role

Locations

• Tempe/Phoenix, AZ
• Seattle, WA
• Kirkland, WA
• Bellevue, WA
• San Francisco, CA
• Walnut Creek, CA

Compensation

Expected base pay rates for the role will be between $140,000 and $200,000 per year at the commencement of employment. Base pay will be determined on an individualized basis and is only part of the total compensation package, which may include commission earnings, incentive compensation, discretionary bonuses, and other short and long-term incentive packages.

Salary range for the position: $140,000 to $200,000 per year. The successful candidate may be eligible for an annual discretionary incentive compensation award and participation in the relevant business unit’s incentive compensation plan.

Benefits

Morgan Stanley offers a full spectrum of benefits, including medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, health savings account, dependent day care savings account, life insurance, disability and other insurance plans, paid time off (including sick leave, parental leave and 20 vacation days annually), 10 paid holidays, 401(k), and short/long term disability.

Equal Opportunity Employer

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.

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