Blackrock Investment Stewardship Associate

About this role

About this role

The BlackRock Investment Stewardship team (BIS) operates across three regions – the Americas (New York and San Francisco); Europe, Middle East and Africa (London); and Asia-Pacific (Tokyo, Hong Kong, Singapore and Sydney) – and undertakes engagement with and proxy voting at portfolio companies on behalf of index clients globally.

Our discussions with portfolio companies focus on topics relevant to a company’s success over time, including governance and leadership, corporate strategy, capital structure and financial performance, operations and material sustainability-related risks, as well as macro-economic, geopolitical and sector dynamics.  We are constructive and patient investors, and generally support management as they adapt and develop their businesses to perform over time. We aim to build and maintain strong relationships with company leadership based on open dialogue and mutual respect.

The role is based in London and the successful candidate will specialize in corporate governance, environmental, and social issues that impact company financial performance. The candidate will work with senior analysts covering several sectors across the EMEA markets for voting and engagement purposes and facilitate the overall development of team capabilities.

Key Responsibilities:

• Demonstrating expertise in analysis of company financial performance, corporate governance and material sustainability-related practices.
• Preparing for, participating in, and documenting engagement meetings with portfolio companies alongside BIS EMEA sector analysts
• Analysing companies’ shareholder meeting agendas and related materials in order to vote in the manner most consistent with BIS’s guidelines.
• Monitoring policy and market developments impacting corporate governance standards and best practices and presenting these to the team and other relevant stakeholders.
• Conducting research and analysis on governance, environmental, and social topics from an investment perspective.
• Contributing to updates of publicly available documents, including voting guidelines and engagement priorities, and thought leadership pieces and thematic viewpoints.
• Collaborating with client-facing and communications colleagues to ensure client reporting and client presentations meet expectations, and that client queries on corporate governance are responded to promptly and to the client’s satisfaction.

Key Requirements:

• Undergraduate degree in finance, economics, accounting, or a related discipline.
• 4-6 years of experience in a financial services focused role, ideally with a demonstrated strong understanding of financial statements and corporate finance and/or sustainability.
• An understanding of and interest in corporate governance, sustainability-related risks, and opportunities as long-term investment considerations.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and oral, including the ability to communicate clearly and persuasively with senior colleagues, investee company representatives, and the public.
• A diligent, focused, and persistent work ethic to implement while leading multiple tasks and changing priorities.
• The ability to prioritize, analyse, and resolve complex issues under time pressure while maintaining consistent attention to detail.
• A keen interest in corporate governance and material sustainable business practices.
• Collaborative working style and strong interpersonal skills demonstrating the ability to build and maintain successful relationships with colleagues across the firm and with external parties.
• Proficiency using Excel, PowerPoint and other Microsoft products.

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.