Research Division - Vice President/Executive Director, Chief Operating Officer (Tokyo)

Location: Tokyo, Japan

Role Summary

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Japan Research will partner closely with the Director of Japan Research to drive the strategic direction, commercial performance, and effective management of the Japan Research franchise. The role encompasses business and client strategy, Research product and marketing, talent development, technology and AI adoption, financial management, and organizational effectiveness. The COO will translate strategic priorities into execution, drive accountability and measurable outcomes, and strengthen Japan's connectivity with the broader Global Research platform.

Key Responsibilities

• Business Strategy & Performance Management

• Partner with the Director of Japan Research to define strategic priorities, drive execution, and monitor business performance.
• Develop management reporting and performance analytics to inform decision-making and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Strengthen management processes, organizational effectiveness, and accountability across Research teams.
• Align Japan's priorities with regional and Global Research initiatives, leveraging relevant global capabilities and best practices.

• Client, Product & Marketing Strategy

• Partner with Research leadership and Sales to develop and execute client strategies that strengthen commercial performance and market position.
• Work with Research leadership and Product teams to enhance the differentiation, relevance, and commercial impact of Japan Research.
• Develop and coordinate domestic and cross-border marketing strategies to maximize client engagement and Research visibility.
• Leverage client feedback and performance analytics to identify opportunities, inform priorities, and drive targeted actions.

• Talent & Organizational Development

• Partner with Research leadership and HR on workforce planning, recruiting, succession planning, and organizational structure.
• Strengthen analyst and associate development through training, mentorship, and career development initiatives.
• Identify talent and capability gaps and support the development of future Research leaders.

• Technology, AI & Transformation

• Drive adoption of technology, AI, and data capabilities to enhance Research productivity, quality, and commercial effectiveness.
• Identify opportunities to streamline workflows, improve efficiency, and redirect resources toward higher-value activities.
• Partner with regional and global Technology, Data, and Product teams to implement new capabilities and share best practices.

• Financial & Resource Management

• Oversee Japan Research budgeting, forecasting, expense management, and resource planning.
• Align financial and human resources with strategic priorities and business needs.
• Partner with Finance and relevant stakeholders to support financial discipline and effective resource allocation.

• Governance & Stakeholder Management

• Partner with Compliance, Risk, HR, and other control functions to support effective governance and regulatory compliance.
• Coordinate across Japan Research, Sales, regional and global leadership, and infrastructure functions to drive alignment and execution.
• Support operating-model improvements that strengthen accountability, simplify processes, and enhance organizational effectiveness.

Qualifications & Experience

• Strong understanding of institutional Research, financial services, strategy, or business management.
• Demonstrated ability to translate strategic priorities into execution and measurable business outcomes.
• Strong analytical, commercial, and financial acumen, with the ability to synthesize complex information into actionable insights.
• Experience leading cross-functional initiatives and influencing senior stakeholders across a global organization.
• Sound judgment, ownership, and strong communication and stakeholder-management skills.
• Interest in technology, AI, and business transformation.
• Ability to operate effectively across Japanese and global business environments.
• Bilingual proficiency in English and Japanese.
• Why Morgan Stanley?

• A career with Morgan Stanley means being part of an inclusive culture that encourages diverse perspectives, innovation, and cross[1]collaboration to bring value to our clients. You'll find passionate people from all walks of life working together to make the world a little better every day.
• We invest in the growth and success of our people through mentorship and development programs, as well as abundant opportunities to connect with peers and senior leaders through employee-driven networks and volunteer activities.
• Your wellness and priorities outside of work are important to us. Our competitive compensation and benefits package is designed to support the diverse needs of our employees and take care of you and your family.
• Morgan Stanley is an equal opportunity employer. Our goal is to build and support a workforce that is diverse in experience and background but uniform in reflecting our standards of integrity and excellence. We are committed to support special needs or reasonable accommodations necessary to enable you to work comfortably and effectively.
• Discover our Japan Offerings: https://www.morganstanley.co.jp/ja/people/working-at-morgan-stanley
• Discover our Global Offerings: https://www.morganstanley.com/people/experienced-professionals

Our Commitment to Japan

Everything we do at Morgan Stanley is guided by our five core values: do the right thing, put clients first, lead with exceptional ideas, commit to diversity and inclusion, and give back. Since opening a representative office in Tokyo in 1970, we have been one of the largest and most active foreign financial firms in Japan providing investment banking, sales & trading, real estate and investment management services.

Our People (English): https://www.morganstanley.com/articles/who-we-are

Our People (Japanese): https://www.morganstanley.co.jp/ja/people

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.

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.