Your Opportunity as an Associate in Firm Strategy & Execution

FSE offers a unique opportunity to work directly with senior management early in your career. Primary constituents are the CEO, Co-Presidents, CFO, and Business Unit heads of Morgan Stanley. As an Associate in FSE, you will participate in the thinking, decision-making, and execution process for critical business issues that directly drive change and influence Morgan Stanley’s strategic direction and profitability.  Additionally, you will be provided a significant degree of project management responsibility and leadership development opportunities.

The group is divided into two teams, reflecting its mandate and range of projects: a Strategy team and an Execution team. Associates are typically hired into one of these two teams, though they can expect significant exposure to both functions.

Associates on the Execution team within FSE play a lead role in the evaluation and execution of principal M&A opportunities for Morgan Stanley.  Key responsibilities typically include company valuation, principal M&A deal sourcing, structuring and execution, due diligence, negotiations, and business integration.

Associates on the Strategy team within FSE generally learn strategic thinking and problem-solving skills by managing projects and collaborating with other Morgan Stanley colleagues. Projects typically conclude with a situation analysis, business plan, and recommendation to Morgan Stanley senior management.

Associates in FSE typically focus their time on either strategy or principal M&A activities. As an Associate in FSE, you can expect to work on the full range of projects across the firm’s three main business units – Institutional Securities, Asset Management, and Global Wealth Management Group. Associates play an integral role in helping FSE develop and implement creative solutions to significant business initiatives and strategic opportunities facing the firm.

FSE projects are aligned with the key priorities of the firm and its business units. They are categorized as either:

• Strategy Projects Evaluating market trends, competitive forces and internal competencies to identify emerging and new opportunities for the firm; providing leadership and support for the strategic development and capital planning process
• M&A Execution Projects Providing valuation analysis and execution expertise for potential mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures and minority investments for Morgan Stanley

FSE Associates attend the Morgan Stanley Investment Banking (IBD) Training Program for the first month. Morgan Stanley’s IBD Training Program is one of the best on the street. New Associates typically receive financial, accounting and modeling training from accomplished instructors, bankers and university professors. Academic classroom training is complemented by sessions taught by firm finance practitioners, on topics such as Morgan Stanley valuation techniques, modeling methodologies and real-life case studies.

Following the firmwide training program, FSE Associates undergo additional training focused specifically on the financial services sector and industry-specific valuation and accounting methodology. In addition, FSE Associates receive ongoing training throughout their tenure at Morgan Stanley through online learning sessions, classroom modules, presentations to the group by functional experts, and industry conferences.

FSE believes in the importance of mentoring for the Associate’s career development. Associates serve as mentors to Analysts in the group and act as role models and coaches. They provide technical guidance and contribute to FSE’s culture. Associates also receive mentoring from senior officers in the group, who help them to think about their long-term professional aspirations and support the achievement of these goals.

FSE Associates have a variety of professional opportunities both within Morgan Stanley and outside the firm. Associates who have performed well may be promoted to Vice Presidents in FSE or similar positions in another Morgan Stanley business area. Recent examples of post-Associate placement within Morgan Stanley include Investment Banking, Sales & Trading, Global Wealth Management, and Global Capital Markets.

FSE strives to provide flexible career options that will attract and retain the best strategic and quantitative thinkers to the firm. We expect that graduates of the FSE Associate program will be well positioned for a long-term career at Morgan Stanley or beyond.

• You have excellent problem-solving, project management, analytical, and quantitative skills.
• You have outstanding communications and interpersonal skills.
• You are highly motivated to learn and master the fundamentals of corporate finance and strategic consulting.
• You are able to work across multiple business units on multiple projects and quickly grasp key concepts.
• You are a team player with a strong work ethic and keen attention to detail.
• You can manage expectations and handle high-pressure situations.

Requirements

You have an MBA and/or 3+ years of prior work experience at a top-tier investment bank or consulting firm.

Selection Process

Selection begins with a “resume drop” in the early fall followed by on-campus first-round interviews. A series of final-round interviews in New York City concludes the selection process. Selections for first-round interviews are based on academic performance and prior work experience. Selections for subsequent rounds are based on the candidates’ interviews.

How to Apply

Please visit our website at: http://www.morganstanley.com/about/careers/recruiting/apply.html

Deadlines

Please refer to your school’s career services website for the application submission deadline.