Global Financial Crimes - PWM Client Risk - Associate

We're seeking someone to join our team as an Associate, Global Financial Crimes - PWM Client Risk Unit in Legal & Compliance to provide independent oversight and risk assessment of high financial crime risk client relationships, ensuring robust AML/CFT standards across the PWM Asia business.

Since 1935, Morgan Stanley is known as a global leader in financial services, always evolving and innovating to better serve our clients and our communities in more than 40 countries around the world.

Morgan Stanley Global Financial Crimes ("GFC") coordinates day-to-day implementation of the Firm's enterprise-wide Anti-Money Laundering Program and the required regulatory reporting. GFC includes several Legal and Compliance disciplines and has responsibility for governance, oversight and execution of the Firm's Anti-Money Laundering ("AML"), Sanctions, Anti-Corruption, Anti-Tax Evasion, and Government and Political Activities Compliance programs. GFC also develops and/or assists in the development of appropriate policies and procedures, including those designed to assist the business units to know their clients and conduct appropriate due diligence and to prevent, detect and report potentially suspicious activity. GFC has dedicated coverage managers and teams of analysts who advise and counsel each business unit regarding its AML, economic sanctions, anti-corruption, anti-tax evasion, and political activity obligations and its particular clients and transactions.

• Review and assess EDD for new and existing higher risk clients at on-boarding, during trigger events and upon escalation to a higher risk ranking, ensuring compliance with applicable AML/CFT laws, regulations and internal policies.
• Review and challenge first line's decision and rationale to ensure that all material financial crime risks have been appropriately identified and the proposed mitigants for the identified risks are adequate.
• Oversee the execution of the EDD standard requirements.
• Provide timely and practical AML advice and guidance to PWM Asia business units and relevant stakeholders on day-to-day matters.
• Liaise with other teams including Front office, Operations, Legal and Compliance on day-to-day AML/CFT issues.
• Assist in the development, review and implementation of AML-related policies, procedures and controls in PWM Asia.
• Contribute to ad-hoc AML-related projects, thematic reviews and risk assessments as assigned.
• Support regulatory inspections and internal audits and take responsibility for agreed remedial actions.
• Produce regular management information reports and dashboards for senior management and regional/global stakeholders.
• Prepare training materials and deliver AML training to internal stakeholders across functions.

• Bachelor degree or above in Law / Accounting / Business / Economics / Finance / Risk Management or related disciplines, preferably with relevant qualifications. (e.g. CAMS, AAMLP/CAMLP, CPA, etc.)
• At least 3 years of relevant AML/KYC roles, preferably within private wealth management or private banking sector.
• Strong knowledge of AML/CFT regulations and expectations across Asia-Pacific countries, particularly in Hong Kong, Singapore, as well as familiarity with international AML standards.
• Excellent written and verbal communications skills in Chinese and English.
• Strong attention to detail, with sound judgment and the ability to prioritize effectively in a fast-paced and dynamic environment.
• Proven ability to interact professionally and credibly with senior stakeholders and cross-functional teams.
• Outstanding analytical and critical thinking skills with a problem-solving orientation.
• Highly motivated with the ability to multi-task and remain organized in a fast-paced environment.