Associate - GIMA Operational Due Diligence (Wealth Management)

Position Summary

Global Investment Manager Analysis (GIMA), a unit within Investment Solutions (IS), provides comprehensive investment manager due diligence on a wide range of investment strategies, including separately managed accounts, mutual funds, exchange-traded funds, and private vehicles in the equity, fixed income, and alternative investments spaces. The GIMA team engages with a broad array of 3rd party investment managers to identify high quality strategies for portfolios.

The operational due diligence associate will perform operational due diligence on alternative investment funds and managers as part of the ongoing monitoring process for existing relationships. Initial responsibility will be for liquid alternatives, but responsibility is expected to grow to include fund-of-funds, hedge funds, private equity, private credit, infrastructure, real estate, etc. Over time, the associate will gain skills to take on new manager/fund reviews.

Core Functions

- Operational assessments will consist of either a review of due diligence questionnaires (DDQs)/various manager documents for desk reviews or virtual meetings with senior professionals at the investment manager. Additionally, meetings/calls with key service providers such as administrators, valuation agents, auditors, etc. are conducted as necessary

- Areas of focus for the review process: Organizational Structure & Staffing, Fund Structure, Internal Operations & Controls, Valuation, Service Providers & External Oversight, Legal & Compliance, Information Technology & BCP

- Assess operational infrastructure, identify key risks, and document findings in a written report

- Assist members of the OpDD team in saving down manager/fund materials (DDQs, PPMs, LPAs, financials, operational docs, etc.) to shared drive and document retention system

Ongoing Activities Include

- Interact with internal teams as appropriate, including Investment Due Diligence, Product Management, Legal, Operations, Risk, Investor Relations, and Sales

- Support a team atmosphere including idea sharing, learning, and back-up

- Remain abreast of industry trends, regulatory matters, and market events affecting funds, managers, clients, and the industry

- Perform project work or other responsibilities as directed by the Head of Operational Due Diligence, including collection of financial statements, financial statement reviews, media monitoring, and oversight of vendor relationships

Skills Required

- Looking for a candidate that has the desire to learn operational due diligence or expand their basic skillset of operational due diligence within a growing team of experienced operational due diligence professionals

- Individuals with experience in audit and/or fund administration of alternative funds welcome

- Ideally would like someone with some exposure to the alternatives space (hedge fund, private equity, real estate, and/or alternative mutual funds, etc.)

- 3-5 years of total work experience, including 0-2 years of operational due diligence experience

- Undergraduate degree required; advanced degree not required but viewed favorably

- CFA (Level 1 or higher) and/or CAIA not required but viewed favorably

Morgan Stanley is an equal opportunities employer. We work to provide a supportive and inclusive environment where all individuals can maximise their full potential. Our skilled and creative workforce is comprised of individuals drawn from a broad cross section of the global communities in which we operate and who reflect a variety of backgrounds, talents, perspectives, and experiences. Our strong commitment to a culture of inclusion is evident through our constant focus on recruiting, developing, and advancing individuals based on their skills and talents.