About this role
Team Overview
The Insurance Solutions team is a specialist, product agnostic investment strategy and structuring team which focuses on insurance clients and serves the entire BlackRock platform. The team is comprised of Insurance, Investment and Analytics Specialists, with diverse backgrounds from across asset management, analytics, actuarial, insurance and consultancy.
A key component of the team’s purpose is the development of the modelling and analytical capabilities required to serve our clients. We combine this with our insurance and investment capabilities to engage client businesses and portfolio managers across the whole firm to build new and innovative market leading investment solutions and position existing BlackRock products and solutions with insurance clients.
Responsibilities
Develop a thorough knowledge of BlackRock’s existing systems, tools and other capabilities which are of relevance to modelling the assets and liabilities of insurers.
Become the team’s owner of, and expert on, all asset class and security-level IP, such as expected return, risk, yield and other economic assumptions, as required by the team’s portfolio construction and asset allocation frameworks.
Build detailed understanding of the forecasting models, risk models and asset modelling capabilities available from the broader BlackRock platform to identify relevant IP that can be leveraged by the Insurance Solutions team for its applications.
Identify gaps in the existing IP versus requirements. Seek to address these gaps by driving proprietary research on team, partnering with the BlackRock platform where appropriate.
Maintain strong relationships with internal partners in the BlackRock Investment Institute, Aladdin Financial Engineering, Financial Institutions Group, and relevant investment teams to drive enhancements in analytical capabilities of relevance to insurers.
Take part in complex advisory engagements across BlackRock’s global insurance client base to help drive commercial outcomes for BlackRock by deepening relationships with clients, help position BlackRock’s existing capabilities and identify areas for new capability development.
Qualifications
Knowledge/Experience:
5+ years of quantitative modelling experience gained within an insurance company, asset manager, investment bank, consultancy or similar institution.
Comprehensive understanding of modern financial economics and mathematics (e.g. bond mathematics, option pricing, hedging, stochastic processes, Monte Carlo simulation in real world and risk neutral environment, interest-rate modelling) and portfolio construction analytics (e.g. mean-variance optimization with constraints) are essential
An understanding of insurers’ portfolio construction considerations, ALM and asset allocation frameworks and the use of derivatives with an insurance focus is a strong plus.
An understanding of the accounting, regulatory, risk management and strategic frameworks under which insurers operate.
Excellent problem-solving abilities, intellectual curiosity, and experience understanding and solving complex issues.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
Practical experience of development in Python is a strong plus.
Undergraduate and / or advanced degrees in economics, mathematics, engineering, computer science, and / or actuarial science would be preferred.
Professional designations such as CFA, FRM, FIA, FSA etc. would be viewed favourably.
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.