EMEA Advisory

Description

About this role

Business Unit Overview:

BlackRock's Compliance Department protects BlackRock's reputation and provides client focussed advice. It understands challenges and advises on the impact of regulation in our business, with the objective of:

• Actively participating in business decisions in order to champion our clients' interests
• Collaborating with the business to position Compliance centrally into their daily work
• Ensuring that client interests are at the centre of everything we do
• Cultivating and enhancing the compliance culture within BlackRock
• Providing thought leadership, analysis and advice on the impact of the regulatory framework on the business and its clients
• Developing and fostering excellence within the Compliance team.

Role Description:

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Vice President to join our Compliance LoB team ('the team'). This role will support our market-leading and fast paced EMEA client and investment businesses. The role will report directly into the Head of the team to support them in their delivery of the compliance programme for these businesses.

The LoB compliance team is responsible for the oversight of the regulatory risks, and activities associated with the client businesses and portfolio management groups in EMEA. Key client businesses include the ETF and Index Investments ('EII'), Cash and iShares & Wealth ('iSW') teams Portfolio management teams include Equity (Active and systematic), Fixed Income and Multi-Asset. The role will include responsibility to lead some relationships within these businesses as well as delivery of the compliance support & oversight programmes for these areas.

Our ideal candidate will have at least 8 years of relevant experience working within a control function, ideally compliance or legal, in the asset management industry. The candidate will have gained a sound knowledge of UCITS rules (an advantage if with Index Funds and ETFs), investment management compliance, MiFID requirements, FCA rules, conduct of business requirements and requirements around the distribution of products and services in EMEA as well as providing timely and value-added regulatory advice to business stakeholders. Any experience on operational resilience, delegation and outsourcing would be a plus.

This role will interact with a broad range of stakeholders across the firm. A demonstrably successful record in collaborating with business stakeholders, legal and other compliance functions would be a distinct advantage. The successful candidate will exhibit strong partnership, technical regulatory and relationship management skills. The strength of character to offer healthy challenge will be essential, as will be the ability to engage successfully with stakeholders at all levels of the business.

A highly motivated self-starter, the successful candidate will demonstrate sound judgment, excellent technical and regulatory knowledge, a strong team ethic, combined with high energy, enthusiasm, intellectual curiosity, resilience, tenacity, diplomacy, and relationship management skills. In addition, it is expected that the successful candidate will work on regulatory implementation projects impacting all client businesses the team covers (e.g., SFDR) in partnership with the wider Legal & Compliance teams.

Key Responsibilities:

• Making a strong contribution to their team and the Compliance department's provision of qualitative compliance advice, advisory support, and oversight.
• Oversight of the regulatory risks, and activities associated with the client businesses and portfolio management groups in EMEA (products and services).
• Further cementing the relationship between the team and business stakeholders and promote a first-class compliance culture
• Liaising with portfolio managers, dealers and other investment staff including dealers in relation to the regulatory framework where required, including advising on UCITS eligibility, limits, and concentration, conduct of business requirements and the application of BlackRock compliance policies
• Providing advisory support in relation to the regulatory framework for our index tracking fund ranges.
• Liaising with BlackRock Global Capital Markets team on regulatory matters including advising on application of Information Barrier policy and managing restricted lists process
• Advising and overseeing new product initiatives including, regulatory structuring, review of fund documentation, preparation of internal investment guidelines and sign-off of sales and marketing collateral.
• Support the launch of new products and solutions for clients e.g., regulatory advice to the business on UCITS/AIFMD, pre- and post-trade monitoring, distribution matters, ESG matters, etc.
• Leading Compliance participation in Compliance or business-driven projects, including regulatory developments and strategic initiatives, by providing expert and timely value-added advice.
• Advising on and interpreting UCITS guidelines in relation to investment decisions, issues, and potential breaches.
• Contributing to the creation of management reporting and communication on Compliance matters to senior management, corporate and/or fund boards and BlackRock business stakeholders.
• Providing advice on the anticipation, impact assessment and response to regulatory development
• The strength of character to offer constructive challenge.
• Designing and delivering effective regulatory training initiatives to the business.
• Participating in client due diligence visits, prospective client sales meetings and direct conversations with clients where required.
• Advising on the interpretation of regulations, and application of BlackRock's compliance policies in relation to existing and new business initiatives, issue identification & management and breach resolution.
• As a senior member of the team, supporting the Head of the Team as well as assisting to develop less experienced members of the team and supporting colleagues with knowledge sharing and cross-training.

Knowledge / Experience:

• At least 8 years of relevant experience working within a control function, ideally within Compliance or Legal, in the asset management industry.
• Strong working knowledge of UCITS, AIFMD, MiFID requirements (including investment advice, product governance, costs & charges, client categorization, suitability, and research), FCA rules, conduct of business requirements and regulatory requirements in relation to the distribution of products and services in EMEA.
• High degree of familiarity with FCA handbook and regulatory regimes relating to investment management including (but not limited to) MIFID II, MAR, Securitisation Regulation, LIBOR transition, would be beneficial.
• Experience in Compliance information gatekeeping process, dealing with Wall crossing requests, market soundings and handling of MNPI would be an added advantage
• Knowledge of indices and benchmark regulation is preferred
• Demonstrable ability to influence a highly performing internal client base by delivering timely, credible, accurate and value-added advice.
• High levels of enthusiasm for supporting an innovative product development, marketing, and distribution strategy.
• Highly effective written and verbal communications skills. Able to articulate complex regulatory matters verbally and in writing and has well-developed relationship management skills
• Consistent ability to demonstrate high standards of professional accuracy and excellent attention to detail.
• Self-motivation, the ability to work autonomously with minimal supervision and with high energy levels.
• The technical ability and mindset to deliver a solutions-driven approach and the judgment to use this in appropriate circumstances.
• Excellent organisational skills with ability to prioritise workloads, progress multiple tasks and adhere to deadlines.
• Ability to collaborate effectively both within the team and across functions.
• The strength of character to offer healthy challenge. Technical ability and mindset to challenge the status-quo and deliver a solutions-driven approach and the judgment to use this in appropriate circumstances.
• Familiarity with regulatory environment ex-UK or a genuine desire to develop such knowledge would be an advantage.
• As part of the broader EMEA Compliance Department, broader advisory experience across the asset classes and covering a range of jurisdictions would be a distinct advantage.

Our benefits

To help you stay energized, engaged and inspired, we offer a wide range of benefits including a strong retirement plan, tuition reimbursement, comprehensive healthcare, support for working parents and Flexible Time Off (FTO) so you can relax, recharge and be there for the people you care about.

About BlackRock

At BlackRock, we are all connected by one mission: to help more and more people experience financial well-being. Our clients, and the people they serve, are saving for retirement, paying for their children's educations, buying homes and starting businesses. Their investments also help to strengthen the global economy: support businesses small and large; finance infrastructure projects that connect and power cities; and facilitate innovations that drive progress.

This mission would not be possible without our smartest investment - the one we make in our employees. It's why we're dedicated to creating an environment where our colleagues feel welcomed, valued and supported with networks, benefits and development opportunities to help them thrive.

For additional information on BlackRock, please visit careers.blackrock.com | www.blackrock.com/corporate | Instagram: @blackrock | Twitter: @blackrock | LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/blackrock

BlackRock is proud to be an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, protected veteran status, and other statuses protected by law.

BlackRock will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records in a manner consistent with the requirements of the law, including any applicable fair chance law.