Risk Officer

711 MS Smith Barney, LLC; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Morgan Stanley in California seeks a Risk Officer to oversee supervisory, compliance and risk functions in coordination with the Senior Risk Officer, ensuring a controlled environment aligned with laws and policies. The role emphasizes ethics, risk awareness, audit readiness, data security, and proactive client risk assessment.

This is a non-revenue sharing position reporting to the Senior Risk Officer, with duties including staff coaching, audits, investigations, and training to strengthen risk

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required or equivalent education or experience
• Previous industry experience
• Active Series 7, 8 (or 9 and 10), and 63, 65 (or 66)
• Other licenses as required for role or by management

Responsibilities

• Surveillance and supervision of risk, compliance, and supervisory functions
• Coordinate with Senior Risk Officer to maintain a compliant environment
• Manage data security, audits, and remediation of findings
• Coach staff on policies and procedures and promote risk awareness
• Liaise with Legal and Compliance on customer issues and investigations
• Assist in onboarding of new Financial Advisors and risk reviews

Skills

SEC/FINRA knowledge

Effective communication

Attention to detail

Problem solving

Leadership experience

Organizational skills

Client interaction

Judgment and discretion

Work ethic

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

Job description

The Risk Officer is responsible for a wide variety of supervisory, compliance, and risk functions. In conjunction with the Senior Risk Officer, the Risk Officer has accountability for maintaining a consistent controlled environment through adherence of business ethics and practices and adherence to all applicable Federal, State and Local laws, Morgan Stanley Wealth Management policies, and other regulations. Then the Risk Officer keeps the Senior Risk Officer informed of significant matters. The Risk Officer role is a non-revenue sharing position that reports to the Senior Risk Officer. DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES: Surveillance and Supervision Primary responsibility for all risk, supervisory, and compliance function for respective branch location(s) Facilitates any supervisory inquiry or process that requires escalation from the Senior Risk Officer and/or the Regional Risk Officer Focuses on business ethics and regulatory and compliance practices Provides coaching and guidance on policies and procedures in order to promote risk awareness and a compliant environment Ensure proper procedures are in place to ensure that approvals are handled appropriately and timely Risk Management/Compliance/Legal Monitors and implements procedures to manage all facets of risk, including data security Facilitates regular and consistent communication of Morgan Stanley Wealth Management policies and other regulations Liaises with the Legal and Compliance Division with customer complaints and litigation Together with the Market Manager and Senior Risk Officer, ensures appropriate supervisory coverage is maintained at all times Oversees responsibilities outlined in the Branch Supervisory Manual, as well as new policies to ensure the Market has procedures in place Supports in the preparation for and response to audits, and ensures that any audit findings are appropriately responded to and remediated Works with Market Manager and Senior Risk Officer to monitor people risk, and ensures appropriate action is taken Responsible for proactive client contact in determining suitability and managing risk Active involvement with the region regarding matters presented to the Credit Committee Primary source for intelligence on risk in regard to clients and FAs Administrative Works closely with Special Investigation Unit on any Human Resources issues as related to risk and compliance. Together with the Senior Risk Officer facilitates the training on Morgan Stanley Wealth Management compliance policies and procedures. Assists in the review and on boarding of FA recruits.

Qualifications

• External Education and/or Experience
• Bachelor’s degree required or equivalent education or experience
• Previous industry experience
• Active Series 7, 8 (or 9 and 10), and 63, 65 (or 66)
• Other licenses as required for role or by management

Knowledge/Skills

• Knowledge of SEC, FINRA and Firm Compliance Policies and Procedures
• Effective written and verbal communication skills
• Strong attention to detail
• Ability to prioritize and resolve complex problems and escape as necessary
• Ability to identify issues and trends in order to anticipate change and provide recommended comprehensive solutions and remedies
• Evidence of strong leadership capabilities or previous supervisory experience
• Ability to organize and prioritize workflow and assignments in a deadline oriented environment
• Ability to interact with Financial Advisors and clients
• Excellent judgment and the ability to be discreet in all matters
• Strong work ethic

Reports to: Senior Risk Officer.

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT FROM MORGAN STANLEY:

At Morgan Stanley, we raise, manage and allocate capital for our clients – helping them reach their goals. We do it in a way that’s differentiated – and we’ve done that for 90 years. Our values - putting clients first, doing the right thing, leading with exceptional ideas, committing to diversity and inclusion, and giving back - aren’t just beliefs, they guide the decisions we make every day to do what's best for our clients, communities and more than 80,000 employees in 1,200 offices across 42 countries. At Morgan Stanley, you’ll find an opportunity to work alongside the best and the brightest, in an environment where you are supported and empowered. Our teams are relentless collaborators and creative thinkers, fueled by their diverse backgrounds and experiences. We are proud to support our employees and their families at every point along their work-life journey, offering some of the most attractive and comprehensive employee benefits and perks in the industry. There’s also ample opportunity to move about the business for those who show passion and grit in their work. To learn more about our offices across the globe, please copy and paste https://www.morganstanley.com/about-us/global-offices into your browser.

Expected base pay rates for the role will be between $120,000 and $160,000 per year at the commencement of employment. However, base pay if hired will be determined on an individualized basis and is only part of the total compensation package, which, depending on the position, may also include commission earnings, incentive compensation, discretionary bonuses, other short and long-term incentive packages, and other Morgan Stanley sponsored benefit programs.

Morgan Stanley is an equal opportunity employer committed to building and maintaining a workforce that is diverse in experience and background. Our recruiting efforts reflect our strong commitment to a culture of inclusion, where individuals are hired, developed, and advanced based on their skills and talents. Our workforce reflects a broad cross-section of the global communities in which we operate, bringing a variety of backgrounds, talents, perspectives, and experiences. For more information, please visit: https://www.morganstanley.com/people-opportunities/eeo.

At Morgan Stanley, we advise, originate, trade, manage and distribute capital for people, governments and institutions, always with a standard of excellence and guided by our core values. Morgan Stanley is dedicated to providing first-class service to our clients, in a way that reflects our commitment to creating a more sustainable future and fostering stronger communities around the world. In each line of business, we strive to demonstrate our belief in the power of transformative thinking, innovative strategies and leading-edge solutions—and in the ability of capital to work for the benefit of all society.