Managing Director - Singapore & Southeast Asia COO

About this role

The Singapore & SEA COO is a senior leadership role within BlackRock's Asia Pacific COO function, accountable for driving business strategy, operational excellence, and governance across Southeast Asia (Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines, and Vietnam). Reporting to the Deputy Head of APAC, with a matrix reporting line to the APAC COO; this individual serves as a trusted partner to Singapore and SEA business leaders and partners with APAC COO, translating strategic priorities into execution, managing the operating platform, and ensuring the firm operates with integrity and efficiency across the region.

This is a high-visibility role that requires a seasoned operator who is equally comfortable shaping strategy with senior leadership, ensuring rigorous day-to-day execution and managing risk. The successful candidate will be a credible, self-driven leader with deep knowledge of the SEA financial services landscape and a track record of delivering results in complex, matrixed organizations.

Key Responsibilities

1. Business Strategy & Growth

• Partner with the Singapore and SEA business leaders, and APAC senior management to define and execute regional strategic priorities including new growth initiatives, business prioritization, and strategic investments
• Identify and evaluate growth opportunities across SEA markets, translating insights into actionable plans with clear ownership and measurable outcomes
• Lead and manage large-scale, cross-functional strategic initiatives, ensuring alignment across business units and corporate functions
• Maintain a current and informed view of the evolving digital and FinTech/Wealth Tech landscape in SEA, advising on strategic partnerships and positioning BlackRock competitively within the ecosystem
• Communicate strategic priorities and execution plans clearly and persuasively across all levels of the organization

2. Stakeholder Engagement & Regional Connectivity

• Serve as a key connector across internal functions (Finance, HR, Risk, Technology, Compliance, Legal, Marketing, and Corporate Communications) and external stakeholders to advance regional priorities
• Manage local governance committees, ensuring agenda quality, materials are fit for purpose, and outcomes are actioned
• Partner with HR to ensure hiring, transfers, and exits are executed effectively; support workforce planning and headcount decisions aligned to business strategy
• Represent BlackRock at external forums and industry events where appropriate, supporting the firm's visibility and reputation in SEA markets
• Partner with Corporate Communications on all internal and external engagement, ensuring messaging is consistent and on brand

3. Business Management & Operating Platform

• Oversee financial performance management in partnership with Finance, monitoring revenues, expenses, and headcount against budget and forecast, and ensuring material variances are escalated and addressed
• Collaborate with Technology & Enterprise Services on facilities management and real estate planning across SEA locations
• Drive improvements in employee experience, including ownership of actions arising from the Employee Opinion Survey
• Ensure all mandatory training, licensing, and certification obligations are met across the SEA employee population, maintaining compliance with local regulatory requirements
• Support prompt and appropriate approval workflows across the business, escalating where required

4. Risk, Controls & Governance

• Partner with Risk & Quantitative Analysis (RQA), Compliance, and Legal to strengthen the local control environment and proactively mitigate operational and regulatory risk
• Oversee the integrity of Country Control Framework, Aladdin certification, access permission management, and planning chart completeness, ensuring processes are robust and audit-ready
• Support regulatory and control requests effectively (e.g., SOX, SOR), and act as a key point of coordination for Internal Audit engagements
• Promote a strong information security and data governance culture across the SEA organization
• Own Business Continuity Management (BCM) for the SEA region, ensuring plans are current, tested, and fit for purpose
• Remediate risk management findings in a timely manner, tracking progress and escalating blockers appropriately

5. People Leadership & Culture

• Build, develop, and retain a high-performing local Business Management team, providing clear direction, coaching, and growth opportunities
• Champion succession planning and talent development within the SEA BM function, in partnership with HR and regional COO leadership
• Foster a culture of accountability, inclusion, and continuous improvement, modelling BlackRock's values, and leadership principles across the SEA organization
• Act as a culture carrier during periods of organizational change, supporting effective communication and change management

Required Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent; advanced degree (MBA or relevant postgraduate qualification) preferred
• Minimum 15 years of relevant experience in financial services, management consulting, or strategy with demonstrated progression into senior leadership roles
• Proven track record of leading large, high-impact, cross-functional initiatives in complex, matrixed organizations
• Strong financial acumen with experience in P&L oversight, budgeting, and headcount management
• Strong commercial acumen with ability to develop and assess business cases as well as drive execution of strategy
• Excellent problem-solving skills, both conceptual and analytical, with exceptional attention to detail and follow-through
• Outstanding communication and influencing skills; ability to engage credibly with senior stakeholders across multiple markets and functions
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple complex priorities concurrently, working effectively under pressure and to tight deadlines
• Self-reliant, proactive, and ambitious; able to operate with a high degree of autonomy while remaining a collaborative team player

Preferred Qualifications

• Deep knowledge of the SEA asset management ecosystem including retail and institutional distribution, ETFs, wealth management, alternatives, marketing, technology, and capital markets
• Experience with or exposure to digital transformation, AI adoption, automation, or FinTech partnerships within financial services
• Familiarity with risk and control frameworks relevant to asset management (e.g., SOX, SOR, BCM, regulatory licensing requirements)
• Relevant Southeast Asian language skills (e.g., Mandarin, Bahasa, Thai) are advantageous but not required
• Prior experience in a COO, Chief of Staff, or Business Manager capacity within a global financial institution

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.