Aladdin Business Manager, Aladdin Engineering, Associate

About this role

About BlackRock

BlackRock is a global leader in asset management, providing world-class investment, risk management, and advisory services. Aladdin, our central technology platform, integrates investment management functions to help organizations make informed decisions, manage risk, and trade efficiently, driving better outcomes for investors and institutions worldwide.

About the Aladdin COO Team

The Aladdin COO team supports thousands of professionals across engineering, data, product, client support, sales, and marketing. Within this group, the Business Management team manages strategic initiatives, delivers analytical insights, and drives operational excellence. The Business Management team engages senior leadership as subject matter experts in a variety of areas including budget and P&L expense management, headcount, recruiting, people topology, procurement, vendor strategy and more, to ensure smooth operations and continuous improvement. We actively guide and produce annual budgets, short and long-range forecasts, business metrics, cost savings opportunities, and economic insights that improve the financial success of the business.

Position Overview

We are seeking a proactive and analytical Associate Business Manager to join our Business Management team, reporting to the Head of Business Management. You will focus on managing external expenses (G&A), collaborating with internal partners to oversee major cost categories, drive process improvements, and support strategic decision-making. This role requires strong financial acumen and a proven track record in financial analysis and forecasting, leadership, and communication skills, and a passion for problem-solving and process optimization. Candidates should be able to multi-task, clearly communicate results orally and in writing, and have some experience in technology business management, expense financial planning and analysis, and strategic vendor sourcing activities. The successful candidate will play a crucial role in special projects, maintaining senior-level presentations, performing data analysis and visualization, and building models to support strategic decision-making.

Key Responsibilities

• Analyze expenses and ensure alignment with forecasts and annual budgets, focusing on major spend categories such as technology consulting, software, cloud hosting, travel & entertainment, and subscriptions.

• Maintain and optimize internal expense reporting processes (weekly, monthly, quarterly) for Aladdin technology spend, developing innovative approaches to assess business performance.

• Oversee business intelligence systems and approval processes (e.g., vendor purchase orders, procurement via Coupa, ServiceNow, Workday), ensuring accurate expense and accrual measurement.

• Provide transparency on technology consulting (contingent worker) expenses through stakeholder and vendor partnerships.

• Support efficiency initiatives by collaborating with cross-functional teams (Controllers, HR, Global Sourcing) to improve processes and reduce manual work.

• Create high-quality presentations on strategic growth, financial performance, and operational governance for internal leaders.

• Participate in meetings with senior leaders, summarizing key points and follow-ups.

• Ensure compliance with corporate policies, ethics, and legal requirements

Qualifications Required:

• Prior Experience: 3+ years of relevant experience in one or more of the following areas (or similar): business management, financial expense planning / analysis, vendor management, or procurement.

• Education: Bachelor's degree required in Computer Science, Engineering, Economics, Finance, Data Science, Operations Research, Supply Chain Management, or related field; MBA or advanced degree preferred.

• Financial Skillset: At minimum, must possess a basic understanding of the P&L lifecycle – including expense management, requisitions, POs, accruals, invoices / actuals – and their budget impact. Ability to build models on actual consumption and demand forecasting based on spend analytics and other sources.

• Data Management: Significant hands-on Excel and data management experience is a must. Ability to track and manipulate significant datasets using disparate data sources, and the ability to design dynamic tooling to solve problems.

• Advanced Excel and data management skills; ability to work with large datasets and design dynamic tools to create useable information

• Strong PowerPoint and written communication skills, with the ability to present data and analytics effectively.

• Excellent verbal communication and stakeholder management abilities.

• High level of self-motivation and ownership; seeking continuous improvement.

• Strong interpersonal skills for building relationships and fostering collaboration across departments.

Preferred:

• Experience with enterprise-grade ERP systems (e.g., TM1, SAP, IBM Cognos, EssBase, Coupa).

• Background in headcount planning, and HRIS tools (Workday a plus).

• Familiarity with category planning, competitive bidding (RFI, RFP, RFQ), business case creation, vendor selection, risk due diligence, and dispute management.

• Technical, product management, project management, or Agile experience.

Competencies:

• Strong oral and written English language skills.

• Strategic thinker with a proactive approach to challenges and opportunities, possessing the ability to translate analyses into clear communication of results.

• Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively in a team-oriented environment, building and delivering clear, well-structured feedback.

• Detail-oriented, committed to quality, accuracy, and continuous improvement.

• Adaptable and resilient in a fast-paced, dynamic environment; flexible to meet business needs and deadlines, understanding that most of the BlackRock team is based in the United States.

• Proven ability to navigate large organizations, multi-task, set expectations, and escalate when appropriate.

• Technical, product management, project management, or Agile experience.

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.

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.

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 @blackrock | Twitter: @blackrock | LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/blackrock

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