Overview of the Role:

This Associate role supports the ITM Fund Administration function within Morgan Stanley Investment Management Operations Japan (MSIM-J), reporting directly to the team manager in Tokyo. The ITM Fund Administration team is responsible for a wide range of operational and regulatory processes, including daily NAV calculations, fund launches and terminations, fund book closings, disclosures, and regulatory reporting. The team plays a critical role in ensuring the accuracy and integrity of fund operations and compliance with both domestic and international regulations. MSIM-J utilizes the T-Star fund accounting system, with most operational tasks outsourced to Master Trust Bank of Japan (MTBJ). The team also manages relationships with service providers such as MTBJ and Nomura Research Institute (NRI), ensuring smooth and accurate NAV processing.

Primary Responsibilities

• Oversight of Fund Accounting Operations:
  • Supervise daily NAV calculations and related operations outsourced to MTBJ.
  • Coordinate with trust banks to ensure timely and accurate processing.
• Fund Operations:
  • Support fund subscriptions/redemptions and cash management.
  • Post instructions to fund trustees and manage fund book closing activities.
  • Liaise with auditors for fund audit processes.
• Disclosure & Regulatory Reporting:
  • Manage fund disclosure processes.
  • Fulfill regulatory reporting requirements to JITA, FSA, and BOJ.
  • Handle U.S. tax-related reporting (e.g., QI and FATCA).
• Stakeholder Communication:
  • Provide NAV and fee-related information to distributors.
  • Collaborate and escalate issues with Legal, Compliance, Investment, Sales, Finance, Risk, and Technology teams.
• Governance & Compliance:
  • Ensure all processes comply with firm policies and local regulations.
  • Maintain strong internal controls and risk awareness.
• Cross-Functional Engagement:
  • Build and maintain effective relationships across internal teams, distributors, and outsourcing partners.
  • Contribute to both global and local initiatives and projects.

Skills Required/Preferred

• Minimum 3 years of experience in financial services or Japanese investment trust fund operations.
• Familiarity with Japanese investment laws and regulations is a plus.
• Experience with T-Star system is preferred.
• Strong understanding of investment products is advantageous.
• Proven ability to identify operational risks and maintain attention to detail.
• Problem-solving mindset with practical solution orientation.
• Business-level proficiency in Japanese and English (verbal and written).
• Strong organizational and interpersonal skills; able to work effectively across functions and geographies.
• Proactive, open-minded, and collaborative team player with a can-do attitude.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office tools.

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT FROM MORGAN STANLEY:

We are committed to maintaining the first-class service and high standard of excellence that have defined Morgan Stanley for over 89 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 opportunities employer. We work to provide a supportive and inclusive environment where all individuals can maximize 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.