Private Funds Lawyer

About this role

About BlackRock

BlackRock is a global leader in investment management, risk management and advisory services for institutional and retail clients. To date, the firm manages approximately $9.1 trillion in assets on behalf of investors worldwide. With 16,000+ employees across 35+ countries, BlackRock helps clients around the world meet their goals and overcome challenges with a range of products that include separate accounts, mutual funds, iShares® (exchange-traded funds), and other pooled investment vehicles. BlackRock also offers risk management, advisory and enterprise investment system services to a broad base of institutional investors through BlackRock Solutions®. For additional information, please visit the Company’s website at www.blackrock.com.

Legal and Compliance

BlackRock’s Legal and Compliance department works with business teams to develop investment management products and business solutions that comply with the numerous legal and regulatory requirements to which BlackRock and its products are subject.  Legal and Compliance is responsible for, among other things, negotiating agreements with investors, intermediaries and service providers; providing ongoing legal advice to business teams regarding new and existing products and strategies; overseeing regulatory matters; coordinating litigation and legal proceedings; establishing legal and compliance policies and procedures that meet applicable regulatory requirements and testing the operative effectiveness of those policies and procedures and conducting training. 

Role Description

We are searching for a seasoned lawyer specialising in private fund formation to support various BlackRock private markets businesses, which is expected to include private credit and may also include hedge funds, infrastructure, private equity, and funds of funds solutions.  Ideally, our candidate is a private funds lawyer who will be involved in providing legal advice and consultation, focusing on a variety of legal issues relating to alternative investment funds, including fund structuring, marketing, and corporate governance. 

Primary Responsibilities:

This position is part of the EMEA legal team responsible for coverage of BlackRock’s private funds, and will assist with tasks such as:

• Providing advice on matters related to open-end and closed-end fund structuring across multiple jurisdictions, including the UK, Ireland, Luxembourg, France and the Cayman Islands, preparing, reviewing, and negotiating fund documentation and offering materials.
• Managing outside counsel’s preparation and review of fund documentation and overseeing outside counsel with respect to private funds generally.
• Coordinating and working with business teams, compliance, tax, and operations teams regarding various aspects of private fund formation and operation.
• Providing advice and support to internal stakeholders to develop, establish and improve internal processes.
• Reporting to the boards of relevant AIFM, General Partner or fund companies from time to time on specific initiatives requiring board approval.
• Analysing and managing a variety of regulatory issues affecting the BlackRock private funds platform, including the Alternative Investment Fund Managers Directive (AIFMD), the Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR), the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, etc.

Skills & Requirements:

• Solicitor qualified in England and Wales or other jurisdiction, and eight or more years' post qualification experience in the asset management or fund formation group within a major law firm, the legal department of an investment management firm or the alternative investment division at an investment bank.
• Fund formation experience and familiarity with AIFMD, Investment Advisers Act of 1940, and the other U.S. and non-U.S. laws impacting privately offered funds is preferred.
• Demonstrated initiative and accountability.
• Excellent analytical, written and verbal communications skills.
• Comfort with working across different business functions while remaining responsive.
• Desire to work creatively in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong organisational skills and ability to balance multiple time-sensitive matters.
• Ability to coordinate complex projects involving different business and support groups and to assist the business in implementing solutions across the broad range of BlackRock products and services.
• Outstanding relationship-building skills and a consistent track record of working well as a member of a team. You should approach problems in a business-minded and practical manner and be able to communicate sophisticated concepts in an understandable way, to junior and senior colleagues across BlackRock's business teams. You should be able to operate autonomously whilst exercising strong judgment on what issues to escalate internally.
• Our team is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, so you will be encouraged to help us continue to build a culture of inclusivity, belonging and trust.

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.