Associate - AI-enabled Business Manager

About this role

Business Overview
 

The International COO operates across a complex, multi-region platform, connecting strategy, execution, governance, risk management and transformation across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia Pacific and Japan.
 

As the business scales, the COO platform needs to evolve with it. This role is an opportunity to rethink how core business management activities are run: reducing manual effort, improving information flow, strengthening visibility of risks and priorities, and using AI where it can make work more efficient, scalable and insight-ledWe are seeking a highly organised, analytical and AI-enabled Business Manager to support the
 

International COO directly and help the COO office operate more effectively. The role requires strong business management discipline, curiosity for technology, and the ability to turn complex, manual or fragmented processes into repeatable ways of working.

Role Purpose
The successful candidate will support the International COO in the day-to-day running, governance, business management and strategic priorities of the region.
This is not a like-for-like business management role. The individual will take on core responsibilities from the existing role, while actively identifying where work can be stopped, simplified, moved, standardised, redesigned, automated or AI-augmented. They will be expected to challenge the underlying process, not simply use AI to make existing ways of working faster.
Over time, the role will help identify practices, workflows and AI-enabled tools that can be shared across other COO teams, and may partner with regional AI and transformation leads to support broader adoption.
Key Responsibilities
1. Business Management and International COO Support
Support the International COO in running the core management, governance and executive preparation processes that keep the International platform connected and focused.

Responsibilities will include:

• Manage key COO forums, including agendas, materials, presenter readiness, actions and follow-up.
• Prepare concise briefing materials, talking points, presentations and summaries for senior meetings, boards, committees, business reviews and regional engagements.
• Maintain visibility of key priorities, risks, issues, decisions and open actions across EMEA and the wider International platform.
• Coordinate across regional COOs, client channels and functional partners to connect priorities, resolve issues and move work forward.
• Support ad hoc escalations, business updates and strategic requests requiring judgement, structure and senior stakeholder coordination.

2. Process Redesign and AI-enabled Ways of Working

Redesign core business management processes so they are clearer, lighter and more scalable, using AI and automation where they improve outcomes rather than simply digitising existing manual steps.

Responsibilities will include:

• Identify manual, fragmented or repetitive processes and determine whether they should be stopped, simplified, standardised, moved, redesigned, automated or AI-augmented.
• Assess the purpose, ownership, inputs, outputs, controls and decision points of recurring COO processes before proposing changes.
• Develop improved workflows for board, committee and executive preparation, including input gathering, gap identification, first-draft materials, action tracking and follow-up.
• Explore AI-enabled approaches to coordinate recurring processes, prompt stakeholders for updates, monitor actions, surface risks and prepare structured summaries for review.
• Build reusable templates, playbooks and reporting routines for briefings, forums, decision logs, travel packs, project updates and leadership materials.
• Improve how updates are collected, synthesised and shared across COOs, business managers and functional partners.
• Develop knowledge repositories, dashboards or information hubs that improve visibility of risks, priorities, dependencies, decisions and recurring management themes.
• Partner with technology, data, AI and business teams to test practical solutions, ensure appropriate controls and align with BlackRock standards.

3. Strategic Projects and Transformation Support

Support selected strategic projects and transformation initiatives for the International COO, bringing structure to ambiguous or cross-functional priorities.

Responsibilities will include:

• Scope problems, define workstreams, agree owners, track milestones and drive follow-through.
• Prepare SteerCo materials, leadership updates and decision papers.
• Track actions, risks, dependencies and outcomes across initiatives.
• Identify where process redesign, AI, automation or better workflow management can improve project execution and reporting.
• Ensure transformation work is connected to the broader operating model and priorities of the International COO office.

Skills and Experience

The successful candidate should be able to demonstrate:

• Experience in business management, Chief of Staff, COO, consulting or transformation roles within a complex, matrixed organisation.
• Practical experience redesigning processes, improving operations or changing ways of working.
• Practical experience using AI, automation or technology to improve workflows, reduce manual effort or generate better insight.
• Strong judgement on where processes should be redesigned, simplified, automated or kept human-led.
• Excellent organisation, attention to detail and ability to manage multiple priorities at pace.
• Strong analytical and communication skills, with the ability to turn fragmented information into clear insights, executive summaries and decision materials.
• Strong project management skills, including scoping problems, structuring plans, tracking actions and driving follow-through.
• Confidence working with senior stakeholders and building trust across regions, functions and business areas.
• Curiosity, sound judgement, a change mindset and comfort operating in ambiguity, including taking ownership of work that may not have a natural home.
• Strong proficiency in PowerPoint, Excel and collaboration tools, with experience using AI tools (CoPilot, ChatGPT, Claude or similar) to improve productivity and ways of working. Power BI and workflow automation experience would be advantageous.
• Understanding of client businesses, COO, risk, governance or regulatory environments would be helpful but is not essential.

Measures of Success

Success in the role will be measured by:

• The International COO agenda operating with greater clarity, structure and follow-through.
• Core business management processes becoming simpler, clearer and less person-dependent.
• Manual processes becoming materially lighter through redesign, AI, automation or better workflow management.
• Improved visibility of risks, issues and priorities across EMEA and the wider International platform.
• Higher-quality executive preparation with less bespoke effort.
• Stronger connectivity between stakeholders and the International Executive team.
• Repeatable practices, templates and AI-enabled workflows that can be shared across other COO teams.
• Tangible contribution to the broader AI and transformation agenda within the International business.

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.

Guidance on AI use for candidates

At BlackRock, AI has long been part of how we work – enhancing decision-making, improving operations, and helping us deliver better outcomes for clients. We encourage candidates to use AI thoughtfully to learn, prepare, and work more effectively; but during our interview process, we want to focus on getting to know you through your own experiences, thinking, and judgment. To support you, we’ve provided guidance on when and how to use AI during our hiring process so you can approach each step with confidence and showcase your best self.

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.

To learn more about BlackRock, please visit Careers.BlackRock.com. We also encourage you to get to know us on LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube, X, and TikTok.

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.