EMEA Wealth & Distribution Compliance

About this role

Business Unit Overview:

BlackRock’s Compliance Department protects BlackRock’s reputation and provides client focused advice.  It understands challenges and advises on the impact of regulation in our business, with the objective of:

• Actively participating in business decisions to champion our clients’ interests.
• Collaborating with the business to position Compliance centrally into their daily work.
• Have client interests at the center of everything we do.
• Cultivate and enhance the compliance culture within BlackRock.
• Provide thought leadership, analysis and advice on the impact and implementation of regulations on the businesses and their clients; and,
• Developing and fostering excellence within the Compliance team.

Role Description:

An exciting opportunity has arisen within the Line of Business Compliance team for an Associate to join our Wealth & Distribution Compliance team in London. The role will complement a team of expert compliance professionals also based in London and will report to the head of the team.

The role sits within the Wealth & Distribution Line of Business Compliance team, which primarily provides advice and oversight to BlackRock’s Wealth and Cash & Cachematrix businesses in EMEA, as well as supporting BlackRock’s sole dual regulated FCA/PRA regulated UK Life insurance firm. The role involves providing compliance advice on various elements of compliance to these businesses and this regulated entity.

The successful candidate will have the opportunity to engage with the business to advise on various conduct of business rules, the application of BlackRock compliance policies to these rules, contribute to the creation of management reporting and communication on Compliance matters to senior management, corporate and/or fund boards and BlackRock business stakeholders. The candidate will also be expected to advise on UCITS eligibility, limits and concentration rules and the interpretation of investment guidelines in relation to investment decisions, issues and potential breaches. In addition, it is expected that the successful candidate will work on regulatory implementation projects impacting on the Wealth and Cash & Cachematrix businesses and the UK Life insurance firm, in partnership with the wider Legal & Compliance teams.

Key Responsibilities:

• Making a strong contribution to the team’s provision of Compliance support and oversight of the Wealth and Cash & Cachematrix businesses and the UK Life insurance firm.
• Liaising with portfolio managers and other investment staff in relation to the regulatory framework, including advising on UCITS eligibility, limits and concentration, conduct of business requirements and the application of BlackRock compliance policies.
• Assisting in Compliance or business-driven projects, including regulatory implementation and development.
• Advising on and interpreting UCITS and fund guidelines in relation to investment decisions, issues and potential breaches for client mandates in the Wealth and Cash & Cachematrix businesses.
• Acting as compliance advisor to the regulatory frameworks owned by the Wealth & Distribution Line of Business Compliance team – including Complaints Handling, Cross border distribution, Client Categorisation and Inducements.  Assisting in the annual update of key policies relating to these frameworks.
• Contributing to the creation of management reporting and communication on Compliance matters to senior management, corporate and/or fund boards and BlackRock business stakeholders, including leveraging MI data to draw insights and identify trends
• Analyze rules and regulations, including regulatory developments, to assess the commercial impact on the Wealth and Cash & Cachematrix businesses and the UK Life insurance firm.
• Supporting and assisting the team in the development of educational materials and delivering training for business partners.
• Participate in working groups and projects with internal stakeholders in L&C.
• Ensuring BAU tasks are covered and delivered for the Wealth & Distribution Line of Business Compliance team.

Knowledge / Experience:

Ideally a successful candidate will ideally have at least three years’ compliance experience within a leading investment/ fund manager Compliance function and will have gained expertise in UCITS funds, as well as providing timely and value-added regulatory advice to senior business leaders.  A demonstrably successful record in collaborating with legal, investment and sales professionals would be a distinct advantage. 

• At least three years’ experience within a control function within the asset management industry, ideally within Compliance.
• Broader advisory experience across investment asset classes and covering a range of jurisdictions would be a distinct advantage – including a working knowledge of UCITS rules.
• Experience in MIFID, MAR, UK Solvency, Cross border distribution and UK Consumer Duty rules would be highly advantageous.
• Ability to influence a highly performing internal client base by delivering timely, credible, accurate and value-added advice.
• Ability to review and interpret regulations and apply this to complex situations.
• High levels of enthusiasm for supporting an innovative sales and distribution strategy across multiple jurisdictions.
• Strong and highly effective written and verbal communications skills with the ability to communicate with business stakeholders.
• Self-motivation, the ability to work autonomously and high energy levels.
• The technical ability and mindset to deliver a solutions-driven approach and the judgment to use this in appropriate circumstances.
• Excellent organisational skills with ability to prioritise workloads, progress multiple tasks and adhere to deadlines.
• Ability to collaborate effectively both within the team and across functions and work on team projects.
• Proven track record in producing high-quality deliverables under competing priorities and adherence to deadlines with the ability to be able to reprioritise quickly, manage ambiguity, regulatory change and evolving business needs with resilience
• Strong analytical, critical thinking and problem-solving skills with the ability to exercise sound, offer healthy challenge and balanced judgment with the ability to calibrate risk thoughtfully, deliver practical commercial sound solutions but without compromising compliance risk.
• High standard of professional accuracy and excellent attention to detail.
• Ability to spot and communicate enhancements on processes and procedures, particularly with the use of AI.

Qualifications:

• 3 years’ financial services experience with a focus on regulation and asset management.
• Educated to degree level, possibly with a professional qualification

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.