VP/Director, Client CIO, Saudi Arabia

About this role

VP-Director, Client CIO, Saudi Arabia – Multi-Asset Strategies and Solutions Wealth Team

Who is MASS?

You are joining the Multi-Asset Strategies & Solutions (MASS) team which is the investment group that sits at the heart of BlackRock's portfolio construction, asset allocation, and active management ecosystem. MASS draws on the full toolkit of the firm’s index, factor, and alpha-seeking investment capabilities to deliver investment outcomes and ground-breaking alpha insights.

We are one of the fastest growing businesses of BlackRock and see a further acceleration of whole portfolio conversations in the years ahead.

Why is your role important?

This Riyadh-based role will be a leading member of the EMEA Wealth Solutions team within MASS, the team is responsible for crafting and delivering multi-asset, model portfolio and multi-manger portfolio solutions to wealth managers, private banks, retail platforms and multi-family offices.

The successful candidate will be accountable for our Wealth Solutions efforts in Saudi Arabia which is one of our key growth markets for multi-asset solutions in the Middle East. As a Client CIO you are a credible professional that is the link between investors and clients, playing a central role in facilitating this connectivity. In this role you act as a commercial partner within the investment team to clients, and a specialized source of product, investments, and market knowledge.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead our investment strategy activities for Wealth Solutions in Saudi and become the face of our business in the country.
• Help craft the business strategy across the region by defining the product needs, client engagement roadmap and content. This includes new product design (including multi asset Shariah solutions), attractive content in different formats and intermediary connectivity.
• Define and position BlackRock’s competitive advantage in Models and Multi-Asset Solutions to internal and external stakeholders, understand industry dynamics, drivers of growth and undertake competitor analysis.
• Maintain a complete understanding of the team’s investment philosophy, current positioning and risk exposures, and product suite to be a credible team representative.
• Support Sales & Marketing activities including development and updating presentations, respond to RFPs, draft market commentaries, and generate thought leadership verbally and in written format. Complete a wide variety of ad hoc client requests and strive to deliver an outstanding level of client service.
• Connect with people to understand sales and client feedback around the reception of product messages and positioning.

What are we looking for?

• Minimum 8 years of financial markets and investment product experience, of which appropriate time in multi-asset.
• Fluency in written and spoken English is required; proficiency in Arabic is highly desirable.
• Strategic problem solver able to lead initiatives across functions (Investment, Marketing, Sales).
• Investment communication: Excellent communication skills and ability to explain complex investment topics to non-technical individuals in writing as well as verbally. Experience about the Wealth market in Saudi is a plus.
• Excellent commercial approach and track record. Client facing experience is crucial.
• Analytical skills: A genuine inclination for quantitative analysis and the skills to work through sophisticated problems and challenges to provide innovative insights.
• Collaborative approach: Outstanding collaborator who has a positive working approach.
• Intellectual curiosity: Interested in the industry, financial markets and asset management, willing to follow regulatory changes, investment vehicles developments, and how this can help build scale across BlackRock.
• Independent thinking: High level of self-motivation, able to own and drive multiple assignments at once and willing to respectfully debate the status quo.
• Willingness to travel within the Middle East.

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.