Real Assets Sustainability US - Investment Management - Senior Associate

Sustainability Strategy Senior Associate

Morgan Stanley Real Assets ("MSRA") is the global real assets investment management arm of Morgan Stanley. MSRA is comprised of 4 investment teams focused on private real estate equity, private infrastructure equity and private real assets credit strategies. With 20 offices in 13 countries throughout the U.S., Europe and Asia, regional teams of dedicated real assets professionals combine a unique global perspective with local presence and significant transaction execution expertise. As of June 30, 2025, MSRA manages $76 billion of investable capital.

Morgan Stanley Real Estate Investing ("MSREI") is the global private real estate investment management business of Morgan Stanley. One of the most active property investors in the world for over three decades, MSREI employs a patient, disciplined approach through global value-add / opportunistic and regional core / core-plus real estate investment strategies. With 17 offices throughout the U.S., Europe and Asia, regional teams of dedicated real estate professionals combine a unique global perspective with local presence and significant transaction execution expertise. MSREI currently manages $54 billion of gross real estate assets worldwide on behalf of its clients.

This position will report to the Head of Sustainability for Global Real Assets who oversees sustainability strategy and execution for Private Real Estate, Infrastructure and Real Estate Credit strategies across the U.S., Europe and Asia.

This Senior Associate role will manage the development and implementation of Sustainability strategies across the global real estate portfolio for MSREI's flagship Global Value-Add / Opportunistic Fund series. This role involves collaborating with internal teams and external partners to enhance sustainability performance, regulatory compliance including SFDR requirements, and drive value creation through sustainable initiatives.

ESG Strategy & Integration :

Develop and implement the ESG strategy for the Global Real Estate Fund, ensuring alignment with Article 8 EU SFDR requirements.

Lead the integration of sustainability practices across all stages of the investment process, from acquisition and due diligence to asset management and exit.

ESG Data Management and Reporting :

Establish key performance indicators to monitor and report on the sustainability performance of assets, ensuring continuous improvement.

Collaborate with internal and external teams to ensure maximized accuracy, consistency, and coverage of ESG data.

Assist in assessing the viability of Article 8 / Article 9 (aligned with EU's Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation) compliant strategies for select REI funds with support from in-house legal and compliance team.

Lead external ESG reporting aligned with third-party guidelines (e.g., INREV Sustainability Reporting Guidelines, SFDR disclosures, UN PRI, GRESB, UK Stewardship Code).

Responsible for responding to ongoing investor ESG DDQs / requests.

Implementation :

Collaborate with internal teams to support development and implementation of fund / asset operational efficiency strategies such as energy efficiency, solar, shadow meters, electrification, pursuing green building certifications, etc.

Manage ESG consultants (develop the scope of work and contracts, oversee appointments and performance and maintain preferred supplier list).

Climate-Related Risks Assessments :

Conduct asset-level climate-related risk assessment and complete portfolio-wide analysis leveraging climate risk tools and the Carbon Risk Real Estate Monitor (CRREM) across REI funds.

Create asset-level resilience plans in collaboration with external consultants, asset managers and insurance team.

Stakeholder Engagement :

Prepare and lead quarterly regional sustainability council meetings.

Provide regular updates and presentations to senior management, ensuring alignment on ESG strategy and fund performance.

Training & Capacity Building :

Source or develop, and deliver content to educate investment teams (e.g., monthly webinars, newsletters), ensuring they have the knowledge and tools to effectively integrate sustainability considerations into their daily work.

Regulatory Compliance : Stay abreast of global sustainability regulations and standards, ensuring the portfolio's compliance and advising on potential impacts to the portfolio.

Required Qualifications :

Graduate or undergraduate degree holder

5+ years of experience working in a real estate / real assets business and specifically within an ESG / sustainability capacity

Experience with ESG reporting frameworks including PRI, GRESB, TCFD, SFDR, EU Taxonomy

Strong interest and understanding of key ESG real assets topics, such as renewable energy, energy management climate risk and carbon offset market

A strong foundation in business, finance, and / or related fields, evidenced by a relevant degree, appropriate industry qualification and / or relevant work experience

Excellent communication skills : ability to influence people and engage with internal / external stakeholders.

Excellent research and analytical skills and the ability to present the conclusions of your analysis in a clear and well-structured manner

Marketing and communication expertise

Good project management skills and ability to translate policy into implementation

A track record of cross-functional collaboration and consensus building, with superior ability to demonstrate leadership skills and collaborate across teams

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.

Expected base pay rates for the role will be between $135,000 and $155,000 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's goal is to build and maintain a workforce that is diverse in experience and background but uniform in reflecting our standards of integrity and excellence. Consequently, our recruiting efforts reflect our desire to attract and retain the best and brightest from all talent pools. We want to be the first choice for prospective employees.

It is the policy of the Firm to ensure equal employment opportunity without discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, age, sex, sex stereotype, gender, gender identity or expression, transgender, sexual orientation, national origin, citizenship, disability, marital and civil partnership / union status, pregnancy, veteran or military service status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Morgan Stanley is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversifying its workforce.