Head of Distribution, US Investment Management

The Group

Morningstar’s Investment Management group is a global team guided by Morningstar’s mission, values, and principles to deliver high‑quality investment solutions that empower investor success. The group brings together deep expertise in asset allocation, manager research, portfolio construction, and investment oversight, built on Morningstar’s differentiated data, analytics, and independent research, to support financial advisors in delivering better outcomes for their clients. 

In the U.S., Investment Management is primarily focused on partnering with financial advisors, helping them run more profitable advice practices while at the same time delivering exceptional client outcomes through model portfolios and solutions designed to integrate into advisor practices and wealth management workflows. 

The Opportunity

We are seeking an accomplished commercial executive to serve as Head of Distribution, U.S. Investment Management, responsible for setting and executing the distribution strategy and accelerating sustainable revenue and net flow growth across the region.

This leader will have overall responsibility for the Americas distribution organization, spanning advisor distribution, sales, national and strategic accounts, portfolio specialists, and advisor practice consulting. The role will focus on expanding Morningstar Investment Management’s market presence, growing relationships with high-potential advisors and firms, increasing wallet share with existing clients, strengthening strategic partnerships, and successfully bringing new investment capabilities to market.

The Head of Distribution will build the commercial infrastructure, processes, and culture required to execute an ambitious, differentiated, and measurable go-to-market strategy. Importantly, this is not a traditional fund-distribution role: we are seeking a leader who knows the realities of running an advice practice and who will position Morningstar as a trusted partner, helping advisors build more profitable, scalable businesses while delivering excellent client outcomes through our investment strategies and broader capabilities.

Working closely with Investments, Product, Marketing, Behavioral Science, Finance, and other leaders, this executive will ensure that client and market insights inform our product strategy and that Morningstar’s investment capabilities, research, data, and insights are brought together to create a differentiated advisor and client experience.

Location: This role is based at our global headquarters in Chicago, Illinois. Regardless of office, there is an expectation of four days per week in the office. Morningstar operates a flexible in-office model in which employees select their preferred remote workday.

Key Responsibilities

Distribution Strategy & Growth

• Develop and execute the U.S. distribution and go-to-market strategy to drive sustainable revenue and net asset flow growth across advisor, intermediary, and strategic-account channels.
• Lead and scale the distribution organization, identifying priority markets, client segments, channels, and partnerships while deepening relationships and wallet share with existing clients.
• Partner with Investments, Product, and Marketing to successfully bring new investment capabilities to market and continuously evolve the distribution model based on client needs and market opportunities.

Commercial Excellence & Strategic Partnerships

• Build a disciplined, data-driven commercial organization with clear segmentation, coverage models, pipeline management, forecasting, goals, incentives, KPIs, and accountability.
• Lead relationships with key national and strategic accounts, including broker-dealers, platforms, custodians, large RIAs, and other intermediary partners, personally engaging in the most important commercial opportunities.
• Build a consultative, partnership-led sales culture focused on advisor success, client outcomes, and long-term growth rather than product sales alone.

Advisor Partnership & Market Leadership

• Position Morningstar Investment Management as a strategic partner to advisors, helping practices improve profitability, efficiency, scalability, and client outcomes through investment solutions, practice-management expertise, research, and other Morningstar capabilities.
• Develop and scale advisor partnership and practice-management programs and lead the sales and portfolio specialist capabilities needed to win and expand priority relationships.
• Serve as a strong voice of the client, bringing advisor, competitive, and market insights into product, investment, marketing, and broader business decisions.

Business & People Leadership

• Own revenue and net flow projections and contribute to P&L management, budgeting, forecasting, resource allocation, and strategic planning.
• Build, develop, and retain a high-performing distribution organization and leadership team with clear expectations, accountability, succession, and operating rhythms.
• Foster a client-centric, collaborative, high-performance culture aligned with Morningstar’s mission and values.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of experience in asset management, investment management, and/ or wealth management, including significant sales and distribution leadership experience.
• Proven record of leading and scaling distribution organizations and delivering sustained revenue, net asset flow, and market-share growth.
• Deep knowledge of the U.S. intermediary and wealth management landscape, including financial advisors, RIAs, broker-dealers, platforms, custodians, and strategic accounts.
• Understanding of small and mid-sized advice practices, including their economics, operating models, growth challenges, and evolving needs, with demonstrated success helping advisors build more profitable, efficient, and scalable businesses.
• Experience developing multi-channel go-to-market strategies, strategic partnerships, and successful launches of investment products or capabilities.
• Strong commercial and financial acumen, including sales management, forecasting, budgeting, resource allocation, performance management, and P&L exposure.
• Demonstrated ability to translate client and market insights into product and commercial strategy and partner effectively across Investments, Product, Marketing, Finance, and other functions.
• Exceptional people leadership, business judgment, executive presence, communication, influence, and relationship-management skills.
• Bachelor’s degree required, with an MBA or advanced degree preferred.

Compensation and Benefits

At Morningstar we believe people are at their best when they are at their healthiest. That’s why we champion your wellness through a wide range of programs that support all stages of your personal and professional life. Here are some examples of the offerings we provide:

• Financial Health

  • 100% 401k match up to 6% of salary

  • Stock Ownership Potential

  • Company provided life insurance - 1x salary + commission

• Physical Health 

  • Comprehensive health benefits (medical/dental/vision) including potential premium discounts and company-provided HSA contributions (up to $500-$2,000 annually) for specific plans and coverages

  • Additional medical Wellness Incentives - up to $300-$600 annual

  • Company-provided long- and short-term disability insurance

• Emotional Health 

  • Trust-Based Time Off

  • 6-week Paid Sabbatical Program

  • 6-Week Paid Family Caregiving Leave

  • Competitive 8-24 Week Paid Parental Leave

  • Adoption Assistance

  • Leadership Coaching & Formal Mentorship Opportunities

  • Annual Flex Stipend - $1000 annually to cover personal education & well-being expenses

  • Tuition Reimbursement

• Social Health 

  • Charitable Matching Gifts program

  • Dollars for Doers volunteer program

  • Paid volunteering days

  • 15+ Employee Resource & Affinity Groups

Total Cash Compensation Range

$371,425.00-569,525.00

Inclusive of annual base salary and target incentive

Morningstar's hybrid work environment gives you the opportunity to collaborate in-person each week as we've found that we're at our best when we're purposely together on a regular basis. In most of our locations, our hybrid work model is four days in-office each week. A range of other benefits are also available to enhance flexibility as needs change. No matter where you are, you'll have tools and resources to engage meaningfully with your global colleagues.

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