Associate Product Manager/AVP - 529 Plans

Morgan Stanley; Purchase (NY); On-site; USD 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is seeking a professional to manage and grow the 529 Plans platform. You will collaborate with Legal, Risk, Compliance, Operations, Technology, and Plan/Asset Managers to deliver client-focused solutions.

The role blends product expertise, project management, and field support to improve processing, communications, and governance while ensuring adherence to firm policies and controls.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; relevant professional credential is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Support and help manage continued growth of a platform of 27 529 Plans with $20B in AUM.

Skills

Wealth management

Product management

Project management

Client service

Regulatory knowledge

Excel

PowerPoint

Outlook

Word

Teams

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft PowerPoint

Microsoft Outlook

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Teams

Job description

Morgan Stanley Wealth Management provides a range of wealth management products and services for affluent individuals, businesses, and institutions. Within Investment Solutions, the Traditional Investment Products team supports a broad suite of products and platforms. This role is dedicated primarily to 529 Plans and combines field coverage, client experience, product expertise, business management, plan and asset manager engagement, strategic projects, platform support, and risk and control responsibilities.

Key Responsibilities

• Support and help manage continued growth of a platform of 27 529 Plans with $20B in AUM.
• Develop and deliver scalable training and communications for field audiences on Morgan Stanley 529 Plans, systems, available tools, and end-to-end 529 processing.
• Coordinate across Legal, Risk, Compliance, Operations, Technology, Platform, and other internal control functions to identify and mitigate business, operational, regulatory, product, and client risks.
• Engage Plan/Asset Managers, Transfer Agents (Recordkeepers), and other external parties to resolve inquiries, improve the client and field experiences, implement system enhancements, and maintain platform quality.
• Support contract amendments and implementation activities associated with plan/asset manager conversions and plan changes, ensuring timely execution and minimizing client disruption.
• Provide timely, high-quality service on specialized product, account, transfer, operational, and platform matters that require direct human engagement and informed judgment.
• Maintain and enhance the 529 Plan control environment, policies, procedures, governance documentation, and escalation protocols.
• Ensure plan conversions, fee changes, product changes, and related client and field communications are governed and implemented in accordance with Firm policies, approvals, and control standards.
• Ability to provide consistent client guidance and manage critical matters, field inquiries, and product support.

Experience and Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; relevant professional credential is a plus.
• 3-5 or more years of relevant experience in Wealth Management, Investment Management, product development, product management, project management, operations, consulting, or a related field.
• Series 7 & 63 (or willingness to obtain within 180 days)
• Working knowledge of 529 Plans and ability to develop deep expertise in product structures, state tax considerations, legislative developments, estate planning applications, plan administration, transfers, processing, and regulatory requirements.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Word, and Teams.
• Comfort using artificial intelligence and automation to improve efficiency while recognizing when human judgment, relationship management, and live interaction are essential.
• Strong client service and field support orientation, with the confidence to interact directly with Financial Advisors, Support Professionals, field management, plan/asset managers, transfer agents, vendors, and control partners.
• Highly organized and detail oriented, with ability to manage concurrent obligations and multiple strategic initiatives while meeting deadlines in a complex, highly regulated environment.
• Excellent verbal, written, interpersonal, presentation, facilitation, and training skills.
• Ability to think creatively and strategically with strong analytical, problem solving, project management, and execution capabilities.
• Sound reasoning and the ability to resolve complex, specialized questions, identify risks, and elevate matters appropriately.