Vice President, Financial Planning Director - (Western Region) at Morgan Stanley in Houston, TX

Job description

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, achieve and grow. A philosophy that balances personal lifestyles, perspectives and needs is an important part of our culture. 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 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-f