Associate, EMEA Solutions Structuring

About this role

Job Purpose/Background:

EMEA Solutions Structuring (ESS) is responsible for developing BlackRock’s outsourcing and solutions proposition as well as structuring and implementing solution partnerships with retail and institutional DC clients across EMEA. Outsourcing and solutions is a strategic priority for BlackRock globally and the EMEA business is growing rapidly.  The team’s mandate is to lead “Deal Teams” throughout the sales process and implementation in close partnership with businesses across the firm to bring a consistent, robust and innovative approach to designing and implementing solutions that identify and address the needs of our clients leveraging the best of BlackRock’s capabilities. 

The role is for an associate level individual to join ESS focusing on the implementation component of the deal which includes:

• Leading reoccurring meetings and run specific workstreams of projects
• Showing initiative when addressing client inquiries and solving project challenges
• Navigating across various internal stakeholder teams to track project milestones and build meaningful cross-business relationships
• Identifying ongoing areas for improvement across client opportunities and contribute to process enhancements

The selected candidate will work on some of BlackRock’s most strategic, complex and high-valued client opportunities. Each outsourcing opportunity is unique. Therefore, if chosen, they can look forward to a multi-faceted role that allows them to develop a wide skillset and varied experience with different partner teams.  Associates on team will be expected to be able to support at least two opportunities at a time.

The role requires the candidate to develop deep levels of knowledge and appreciation for client challenges including their motivations, regulatory landscapes including potential project impacts, and technical details of solutions including BlackRock’s platform capabilities. They will be held accountable for building strong internal relationships fostering cooperation across all parts of the EMEA business (investments, product, technology, in-country sales teams, and operations). Through this experience, they will learn to lead long-term, strategic and complex projects with a creative, solution-oriented mindset focused on the best possible client and BlackRock outcomes.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Working in close partnership with the business development leads within ESS throughout the sales process especially with non-standard scope of the opportunities (collaborating with internal stakeholders to analyse/develop the proposition and contributing to client workshop and pitch materials)
• Articulating the implementation approach and overarching capabilities of the team (positioning value add of choosing BlackRock beyond our investment capabilities)
• Forming strong relationships with clients and their stakeholders and ensuring a sound understanding of their objectives, their people, processes, platform and technologies
• Maintaining a deep understanding of the BlackRock platform across all capabilities including investments, technology, operations and thought leadership (e.g. BSI)
• Acting as the entry point to BlackRock for clients representing the business with credibility and making the firm feel small and accessible
• Representing our clients needs to the business and displaying empathy towards both internal teams and our clients when navigating limitations and hurdles
• Developing a deep technical knowledge of the outsourcing market and applying an innovative mindset towards connecting the dots between client challenges, market trends and Blackrock priorities to solve challenges
• Building a strong internal network across the business to deliver commercial outcomes for both BlackRock and its clients
• Keeping the team and management up to date on the outsourcing pipeline status through contributing to the weekly team meetings and team communications (e.g. outsourcing email updates)
• Taking ownership across your opportunities for the internal outsourcing governance processes by contributing to materials and articulating risks and mitigations
• Managing key aspects of the projects including both the planning and execution via business analysis, identifying requirements, mapping deliverables, overseeing completion and navigating roadblocks

Qualified candidates should demonstrate the following qualities/skills:

• Project management experience including analysis, design, planning, and execution
• Key domain knowledge in asset management industry, business analysis and product
• Structured critical thinker with problem-solving abilities who can operate effectively under pressure
• Ability to pick up technical concepts quickly and may have a background in either product development, a technical sales role, law, consultancy or related business transformation functions
• Excellent written and oral communication
• Ability to adjust communication style depending on the audience
• Extremely high attention to detail and strong work ethic
• Ability to clearly articulate objectives, influence outcomes and deliver results
• Ambitious and proactive: able to show initiative, to demonstrate intellectual curiosity and to come up with ideas without prompting
• Ability to simplify complex topics and create innovative solutions for issues or new business concepts
• Ability to demonstrate versatility and resilience by thinking outside the box to solve technical and resource challenges
• Focused on collaboration and shared outcomes
• Committed to learning and knowledge sharing
• Technical aptitude, understanding technology in a business context

Our benefits

To help you stay energized, engaged and inspired, we offer a wide range of employee benefits including: retirement investment and tools designed to help you in building a sound financial future; access to education reimbursement; comprehensive resources to support your physical health and emotional well-being; family support programs; and Flexible Time Off (FTO) so you can relax, recharge and be there for the people you care about.

Our hybrid work model

BlackRock’s hybrid work model is designed to enable a culture of collaboration and apprenticeship that enriches the experience of our employees, while supporting flexibility for all. Employees are currently required to work at least 4 days in the office per week, with the flexibility to work from home 1 day a week. Some business groups may require more time in the office due to their roles and responsibilities. We remain focused on increasing the impactful moments that arise when we work together in person – aligned with our commitment to performance and innovation. As a new joiner, you can count on this hybrid model to accelerate your learning and onboarding experience here at BlackRock.

Guidance on AI use for candidates

At BlackRock, AI has long been part of how we work – enhancing decision-making, improving operations, and helping us deliver better outcomes for clients. We encourage candidates to use AI thoughtfully to learn, prepare, and work more effectively; but during our interview process, we want to focus on getting to know you through your own experiences, thinking, and judgment. To support you, we’ve provided guidance on when and how to use AI during our hiring process so you can approach each step with confidence and showcase your best self.

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.

To learn more about BlackRock, please visit Careers.BlackRock.com. We also encourage you to get to know us on LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube, X, and TikTok.

BlackRock is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.  We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to age, disability, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation and other protected characteristics at law.