Director, Private Markets Data Acquisition & Partnerships, EMEA

The Team: 

The Data & Research Management group is responsible for delivering accurate, timely and complete data to enhance the value of Preqin’s award-winning service. The trust in our underlying content enables our clients to make key investment decisions. 

Besides simply collecting content, Data & Research Management collaborates extensively with internal and external stakeholders to improve our data offering leveraging technology and subject matter expertise. The team understands the end-to-end lifecycle of data and establishes business intelligence reports seeking operational excellence 

Role Overview: 

The Director – Director, Private Markets Data Acquisition & Partnerships, EMEA role is an outstanding leadership opportunity based in our vibrant London office. This position is integral to Preqin, a part of BlackRock's data leadership team and is charged with steering the strategic direction of our data initiatives. By working closely with the Data, Product, and Technology teams, you will ensure our data exceeds client expectations in both scope and quality. 

You will apply your market knowledge, relationship building skills, and data expertise to drive our private market data expansion initiatives in the EMEA region. This involves market exploration, collaboration, and innovative process execution. Your deep understanding of the private markets ecosystem and market trends will significantly contribute to our organizational strategy, ensuring the continued growth and improvement of Preqin, a part of BlackRock's data offerings. 

Responsibilities: 

• Drive the strategic direction of Preqin, a part of BlackRock's data coverage, ensuring it is world-class and meets or exceeds client expectations. 

• Act as a Subject Matter Expert (SME), working with internal collaborators to improve and develop current and future data offerings. 

• Apply extensive network in the Private markets space to deepen relationships and inform our data expansion strategy.  

• Lead a team of VPs and Senior Associates, operating in a player‑coach capacity—setting strategy while remaining hands‑on in executing initiatives to expand our private markets data coverage. 

• Lead strategic data initiatives, including market mapping and white space analysis, to determine future coverage areas. 

• Explore strategic data opportunities through partnerships and projects. 

• Partner with Data Management and Data Platform teams to lead data sourcing, acquisition, extraction, and ingestion strategies. 

• Assist external collaborators with dataset expertise and domain knowledge, including troubleshooting and representing our data to customers. 

• Provide mentorship and training to internal data collection teams to improve the value and impact of data. 

• Act as a brand ambassador, upholding and promoting Preqin, a part of BlackRock’s values and policies. 

Key Requirements: 

• Minimum of 10 years of relevant experience in data/financial data services/alternative assets. 

• Proven ability to acquire domain knowledge relevant to data and financial markets. 

• Strong understanding of data lifecycle management from acquisition to publishing. 

• Demonstrated success in performance management and building high-performing teams. 

• Extensive people and project management experience, including remote team management. 

• Hands-on, motivational, and entrepreneurial leader with professional competence. 

• Strategic thinker capable of developing and improving data offerings. 

• Experience in introducing change management through technology and processes. 

• Strong time management and prioritization skills. 

• Excellent communication skills and experience working with senior executives. 

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experience required. 

• Proficiency in business intelligence systems such as Power BI or Metabase. 

Desired Experience: 

• Experience leading high performing teams. 

• Prior experience in the alternative assets industry or financial services data management. 

• Skills in organizational design and central initiatives with senior management. 

• Experience working with engineering teams to improve workflows. 

• Experience working across cultures and locations 

• Change management experience supporting global transitions. 

• Project Management Certification or technical knowledge (SQL/Python) is a plus. 

• Familiarity with workflow tools such as Alteryx, Salesforce, Outreach, Jira, Office 365.