Digital Virtual Engagement Associate (VEA) - Tempe, AZ

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.

The 2-year Virtual Engagement Associate (VEA) Program is the launching pad for a career at Morgan Stanley. The program was created to support experienced Financial Advisors (FAs) by executing aspects of their individual business development strategies. VEA is divided into two offerings: Digital and Planning.

• Digital VEAs leverage Morgan Stanley’s state-of-the-art tools to help FAs increase client engagement by managing their digital presence via social media and business websites, as well as by creating consistent client-specific communication based on Morgan Stanley’s unique Next Best Action tool.
• Financial Planning VEAs provide dedicated support to FAs by enhancing their financial planning process to produce authentic financial plans for clients and prospects by leveraging Morgan Stanley’s proprietary Goals-Based Planning System.

Position Overview:

The VEA Program is a 2-year program which provides an exciting opportunity for recent graduates of all undergraduate majors and backgrounds to:

1.      Gain their Securities Industry Essentials (SIE) Exam prior to joining the Firm, as well as the Series 7, and Series 63 licensing exams through firm sponsorship upon starting full-time

2.      Get firsthand experience consulting and working directly with FAs and their teams and learn about their business model and practice management

3.      Learn to navigate and master Morgan Stanley’s state-of-the-art digital Modern Wealth Management Tools with the goal of helping FAs develop their business and increase client engagement

4.      Network with FAs and employees and either move into a senior VEA role or pursue mobility throughout the firm upon graduation from the program

This is an in-person role.

How Digital VEAs Make an Impact:

• Be an effective communicator: Adapt communication styles to adhere to a diverse array of people and situations and drive opportunities 
• Be an innovative thinker: Develop and share new ideas to attract and retain clients and contribute to the future growth of the business
• Be a problem solver: Demonstrate empathy and help advisors with their inquiries, to create an exceptional client experience in a fast-paced environment
• Be eager to learn: Continuously improve understanding of investments and financial markets, through trainings and on the job learning
• Be your own advocate: Strive for excellence in your role and work with your manager to prepare for future career advancements that align with your goals as a professional

A Typical Workday as a Digital VEA:

• Use the Firm’s digital tools on behalf of FAs to modernize their practice, enhance client relationships, and generate increased business
• Manage FAs’ digital presence via channels such as social media and FA websites
• Tasks would include (but not limited to) initial set-up, monitoring metrics, and updating / posting new content
• Publish client newsletters, created from custom and pre-approved content, on behalf of FAs to create consistent communication catered to specific audiences
• Define and track measurable metrics to inform FAs of the success of published content
• Proactively analyze client relationships and make recommendations to FAs on how to supplement the client experience
• Establish, maintain and support strong working relationships with their FAs; demonstrate accountability and a strong work ethic to promote confidence and trust in their work
• Seek constructive feedback and coaching from both the VEA Desk Manager and FAs, actively using it to improve how they approach future tasks

Benefits of being a Digital VEA:

• Develop a robust understanding of the financial services industry and gain insight into one of the world’s leading financial institutions
• Invest in your career with a top tier learning and career development experience combining comprehensive financial product modules and learning courses, as well as on the job learning
• Obtain SIE, Series 7, and Series 63 licenses paid for by Morgan Stanley
• Benefit from a competitive base salary and a wide range of additional benefits including paid time off, savings programs, health care, insurance plans, student loan refinancing, fitness subsidy, and more
• Access to 401(k) offering with competitive firm matching, as well as access to the Morgan Stanley Employee Stock Purchase Program

Skills You Bring:

We seek candidates from a variety of academic backgrounds who have a heightened interest in financial services. Successful VEAs have a unique blend of interpersonal and analytic skills that they leverage to build relationships with FAs and serve as a consultant for their client engagement strategies. 

Specific Qualifications Include:

• Must hold a bachelor’s degree; 0-3 years professional experience in finance, business development, management, marketing, sales, legal, accounting, education, military, or other business-related field preferred, but open to all majors
• Securities Industry Essentials (SIE) exam required prior to start date, Series 7 and 63 preferred prior to start date, otherwise required within 90 days of joining the desk
• Study materials and exam costs are covered by Morgan Stanley for new VEA hires
• Exemplary communication, presentation, problem solving, and time-management skills
• Organized, focused, and highly disciplined
• Able to balance simultaneous competing needs of their assigned FAs and execute on all necessary actions in a timely manner
• Authorization to work in the U.S. without durational restrictions
• Successful completion of background check and pre-employment assessments

Morgan Stanley's goal is to build and maintain a workforce that is diverse in experience and background but uniform in reflecting our standards of integrity and excellence. Consequently, our recruiting efforts reflect our desire to attract and retain the best and brightest from all talent pools. We want to be the first choice for prospective employees.

It is the policy of the Firm to ensure equal employment opportunity without discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, age, sex, sex stereotype, gender, gender identity or expression, transgender, sexual orientation, national origin, citizenship, disability, marital and civil partnership/union status, pregnancy, veteran or military service status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Morgan Stanley is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversifying its workforce (M/F/Disability/Vet).