American Century Investments has hired John Thomas from Morgan Stanley to fill its top administrative post. The opening is being created by the retirement of Robert T. Jackson, American Century's chief financial and administrative officer at the end of the year.

Thomas, 42, takes the title of executive vice president as well as Jackson's duties overseeing the Kansas City-based asset manager's financial and administrative functions. He starts on November 7 and reports to William M. Lyons, CEO and president.

American Century's gain is Morgan Stanley's loss. Thomas had served as a managing director and chief operating officer in the broker-dealer's investment management division. His responsibilities at Morgan Stanley included operations, client services, product strategy and development, performance attribution and research, business continuity and planning, and training.

Earlier in his career, he held senior leadership roles for Bank of America, Boston Financial Services and Fidelity Investments.

Meanwhile, Jackson, 59, will stay on at American Century through the end of the of 2005 and stay on as a part-time worker through the first quarter of 2006. Over that time, he will transition his responsibilities to Thomas. Those duties will include oversight for all financial matters including portfolio and operations accounting, regulatory financial reporting, budgeting and internal audit. He also will be responsible for key administrative areas including purchasing, information technology, human resources, facilities and real estate. Thomas will join the firm's operating committee -- a senior leadership group comprised of the company's functional business heads -- and oversee the retail sales and service areas.

Jackson joined American Century in 1995 after more than two decades with Kemper Corporation, where he held various senior leadership positions in the investment management, life insurance and securities brokerage areas.  

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