EMEA Investment & Portfolio Solutions – Associate

About this role

EMEA Investment & Portfolio Solutions – AssociateBackground

BlackRock is one of the world’s largest asset management firms and a premier provider of global investment management, risk management and advisory services to institutional, intermediary and individual investors around the world.

BlackRock offers a range of solutions — from rigorous fundamental and quantitative active management approaches aimed at maximizing outperformance to highly efficient indexing strategies designed to gain broad exposure to the world’s capital markets. The clients can access investment solutions through a variety of product structures, including individual and institutional separate accounts, mutual funds and other pooled investment vehicles, and the industry-leading iShares® ETFs.

BlackRock’s Global Product Group (GPG) business is responsible for the business strategy, innovation and commercialization of BlackRock's full investment product platform, aligning product strategies with client needs and market trends, and unlocking new growth opportunities across Index, Active, and Private Markets. This includes the iShares platform, the leading index investment engine in the world, helping investors build better portfolios with the industry’s leading suite of index investment tools.

The Position

The BlackRock EMEA Portfolio Consulting team is part of BlackRock’s global Investment Portfolio Solutions (IPS) group which partners with clients across geographies to help them achieve their portfolio outcomes using BlackRock alpha-seeking, factor and indexed products and solutions across public and private markets.

As investors shift from product to portfolio solutions, BlackRock is heavily investing in the EMEA region to ensure they can fulfil client needs while remaining in sync with their evolution – whatever the business model and approach they choose to implement.

IPS is BlackRock’s answer for clients choosing to retain control of their asset allocation and implementation choices (i.e., not willing to out-source), whilst needing a partner in selecting products to achieve a given portfolio outcome. As such, IPS interacts in the region with large portfolio builders across all segments: from CIO of pension funds and insurance companies – to head of discretionary propositions, head of advisory books, managers of unit linked products and fund of fund managers – and complements the offering of the Multi-Asset Strategies & Solutions (MASS) which services clients wishing to outsource.

Leveraging BlackRock’s unique Aladdin® risk platform and the BlackRock Investment Institute’s macro insights, the team help investors understand better their existing portfolio risk factor exposures and overall portfolio efficiency and help evolve client portfolios towards the desired outcome. Furthermore, the team helps clients design new investment propositions and solutions.

Key Responsibilities:

• As part of the EMEA Portfolio Consulting team, the Portfolio Consultant will play a pivotal role in supporting and driving whole portfolio engagement around portfolio construction and risk management to assist with asset allocation, portfolio structure, and implementation decisions with institutional clients across Europe, Middle East & Africa with a strong focus on the German speaking region.

This will entail:

• Interacting directly with clients to understand their needs and objectives in the context of the whole portfolio. He/ she must have an ability to interpret the client discussion, construct and shape impactful analysis and credibly deliver the findings. The successful candidate must have an interest and an ability to fluidly move through each one of these engagement stages.

• Understanding and implementing investment, macroeconomic and asset-class themes with a focus on private markets but also traditional asset classes within portfolio construction to drive investment into portfolio solutions.

• Fostering collaboration with various stakeholder across the organisation including the BPAS Technology team, product strategists, risk & quantitative analysis, and BlackRock Investment Institute (BII).

The Individual

BlackRock are keen to consider individuals, from a variety of backgrounds, who have:

• Excellent analytical skills – PhD, MSC or BS in a quantitative/analytical, finance or economics discipline a must.

• Strong understanding of portfolio construction and optimisation processes and models – including drivers of return, risk control and portfolio construction techniques a highly desirable plus.

• Proficient with Microsoft Office products, such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.

• Prior experience with risk management / portfolio construction systems (e.g., Bloomberg PORT, Barra, Aladdin, etc) a plus.

• Effective communication skills, both written and verbal. The successful candidate must have the confidence and credibility to persuasively interact with colleagues, management, and clients.

• Ability to work efficiently and multi-task effectively in a fast-paced and collaborative environment.

• Proven knowledge of any of the following: Python, SQL, VBA preferable.

• Fluent in English and German is a prerequisite. Other European languages (in particular, Spanish, Dutch, Danish, or Swedish) are a plus.

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.

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, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation and other protected characteristics at law.