Managing Director / Director - Head of Employment Legal – Europe, Middle East & Africa

About this role

BlackRock is seeking an accomplished leader to head its Employment Legal function across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA), where we have a diverse, innovative and growing business with an expanding footprint and workforce. This role oversees a team of four experienced attorneys and acts as a principal legal adviser to Human Resources (HR), regional leadership, and all business groups, shaping and executing people-related strategies across 23 jurisdictions and more than 7,500 employees.

The Head of EMEA Employment Legal will set and drive the strategic direction for Employment Legal across the region, ensuring alignment with global priorities while navigating local regulatory environments. This role requires a blend of technical excellence, keen commercial judgement, and stakeholder management skills to deliver practical, business-focused solutions that both protect and advance the firm’s interests.

Key Responsibilities:
 

• Set and execute the regional Employment Legal strategy, ensuring integration with global objectives and business priorities.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing team, fostering collaboration, professional growth, and technical excellence while maintaining a hands-on approach to day-to-day legal matters.
• Provide clear, pragmatic counsel to senior executives and HR leaders on the full spectrum of employment-related and adjacent matters, including executive compensation, employee relations, performance management, restructurings, and dispute resolution.
• Partner with HR to design and implement processes that enhance operational efficiency and employee experience across multiple jurisdictions, including using rapidly evolving technology solutions like AI.
• Oversee employee-related investigations, litigation, and regulatory interactions with a focus on appropriate risk mitigation and reputational protection.
• Advise on employment aspects of M&A and strategic transactions, including due diligence, negotiations, and post‑close integrations.
• Support HR in continuously improving policies, programs, and trainings that meet, for example, health and safety, pay transparency, privacy and data protection, and other evolving laws and industry standards, positioning BlackRock as an employer of choice.
• Represent BlackRock in interactions with industry bodies, maintaining a strong external network.

Key Skills/Experience:
 

• UK‑qualified lawyer with 15+ years of employment law experience and deep familiarity across EMEA jurisdictions; financial services or technology industry background preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to operate at a senior level, building trusted relationships, influencing decisions, and shaping strategy in a complex, global organisation.
• Outstanding communication skills—able to translate complex legal concepts into clear, actionable advice for different audiences.
• Strong track record of advising senior executives and managing high-profile matters.
• Exceptional people management skills, with proven experience building and motivating high‑performing teams.
• Skilled at scaling legal and/or HR-related processes and driving operational improvements.
• Strong judgement combined with technical excellence, attention to detail, and an ability to balance legal risk, regulatory expectations, and commercial objectives in a fast-paced, regulated environment.

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.