Japan Non-Financial Risk (NFR) Testing, Legal & Compliance - Vice President

Company Profile

• Morgan Stanley is a leading global financial services firm offering investment banking, securities, investment management, and wealth management services. With over 1,200 offices in 43 countries, our employees serve corporations, governments, and individuals worldwide. We value integrity, excellence, and teamwork, providing a strong foundation for professional growth and a culture that supports diverse perspectives and personal balance.

Department Profile

• Legal and Compliance professionals deliver a broad range of services to our business units, including structuring complex transactions, advising on new products, developing training, and resolving disputes. The department protects the Firm’s reputation and ensures compliance with regulatory requirements through robust policies and procedures, while maintaining strong relationships with regulators and policymakers.

Team Background

• Japan Non-Financial Risk (NFR) Testing operates within the Compliance department, collaborating closely with colleagues in Hong Kong, China, and India, and which forms part of the wider Asia NFR Testing team. Our team is responsible for designing and executing risk-based compliance reviews across all major business lines, including Sales and Trading, Investment Banking, Global Capital Markets, Research, Wealth Management, and Investment Management. We work in partnership with global teams to ensure consistent standards and share insights on emerging risks and regulatory developments. 

By leveraging local expertise and cross-regional coordination, the Japan NFR Testing team plays a critical role in maintaining the Firm’s high standards of compliance and operational integrity. Our work supports proactive risk management and helps safeguard the Firm’s reputation in a dynamic regulatory environment.
 

Overview Of Role

The Vice President will independently lead and execute risk-based compliance reviews across all major business lines in Japan, working in partnership with colleagues across the firm. This role is central to maintaining the firm’s high standards of compliance and operational integrity. Reporting to the Head of Japan Testing, the position requires sound judgment, strong analytical skills, and a deep understanding of the regulatory environment.

Non-Financial Risk (Nfr) Testing Responsibilities

• Execute risk-based compliance reviews to assess the effectiveness of Firm policies and procedures; recommend corrective actions for identified gaps.
• Analyze relevant regulations, internal rules, and policies to identify key risk areas for testing.
• Design detailed testing plans, including approaches to evaluate control design and operating effectiveness.
• Conduct reviews independently from initiation to completion, including walkthroughs with stakeholders and oversight of team deliverables.
• Prepare clear, concise written reports summarizing tests, results, and recommended actions. 
• Present identified findings to BU and functional management clearly and effectively, with appropriate risk justifications, and facilitate discussions to reach agreement.
• Ensure workpapers meet documentation standards.
• Coordinate with Testing teams in other regions (Americas, EMEA) for global reviews.
• Support regulatory inquiries and responses related to NFR Testing.

Prerequisites

• Native Japanese Speaker

• Fluent proficiency in English (written and verbal)

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree or above, preferably in accounting, business, or law
• 8–12 years of relevant experience
• Prior experience in compliance, risk management, or internal control functions; direct experience in Compliance Testing or audit is a strong plus 

Knowledge And Skills

• Understanding of regulations in Japan
• Broad knowledge of capital markets, sales and trading, and banking activities
• Attention to detail and effective time management
• Good interpersonal skills; ability to work independently and collaborate across regions and business units 

Additional Skills Desired

• Relevant professional qualifications (e.g., CIA, CFA, CPA, CA, FRM)

Why Morgan Stanley?

• A career with Morgan Stanley means being part of an inclusive culture that encourages diverse perspectives, innovation, and cross-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:

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.