Blackrock Active Investment Stewardship: Associate / Vice President

About this role

About our team:

BlackRock Active Investment Stewardship (BAIS) is a specialist team within the active investing business which manages BlackRock’s stewardship engagement and voting on behalf of clients invested in active strategies globally. This is an exciting opportunity to join a new function, and we are looking to build a team of high performing associates and VPs located between LON and NY. The team sits within BLK’s Portfolio Management Group (PMG) which encompasses BLK’s Fixed Income, Fundamental Equities, Private Credit, Systematic Investments, Multi-Asset Strategies and Solutions and Private Investors Businesses. Our activities are informed by our Global Engagement and Voting Guidelines and insights from active investment analysts and portfolio managers, with whom we work closely in engaging companies.

Engagement with public companies is the foundation of our approach to stewardship within fundamental active investing. Through direct dialogue with company leadership, we seek to understand their businesses and how they manage risks and opportunities to deliver superior financial returns to our clients. Generally, portfolio managers and stewardship specialists engage jointly on substantive matters. Our discussions 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.

About the position:

The BAIS Analyst will be responsible for voting and engagement in relation to a universe of companies, in collaboration with active investors. They will provide support on portfolio company analysis, engagement preparation and follow up, and reviewing and assessing corporate governance in advance of voting. The intention is for the person in this role to specialize in a subset of the companies in BAIS’ engagement universe, along with various aspects of relevant policy, to support the delivery of our annual and long-term objectives. They will report to the Head of BAIS/Deputy Head of BAIS.

Key responsibilities at the Associate/Vice President level include:

• Demonstrating expertise in analysis of company performance, corporate governance and material sustainability-related practices.

• Preparing for, participating in, and documenting engagement meetings with portfolio companies, often alongside active investors.

• Learning and applying BAIS engagement priorities, proxy voting policies, and key industry initiatives that have impact on BAIS policies and practices.

• Supporting data gathering, benchmarking and reporting to support voting decisions and policy positions.

• Assisting in the preparation of position papers to facilitate issue discussion with broader BlackRock audiences.

• Collaborating across the team to identify ways to improve policy and business processes.

• Building strong relationships and collaborating with relevant counterparts within the active investment business and selectively contributing to cross-platform initiatives

The tasks involved in fulfilling these responsibilities include:

• Preparing for engagement with senior representatives of portfolio companies, including crafting memos in preparation for meetings highlighting key data that will be useful in our engagement and stewardship efforts.

• Coordinating with active investors in fundamental equity and fixed income on engagement meeting agendas, questions and objectives.

• Participating in industry research groups and thematic initiatives with the active investment teams as appropriate.

• Attending, documenting and leading (as needed) engagement efforts, including recording research notes to be stored and shared with select audiences within BlackRock’s active investment business.

• Monitoring policy developments to improve the relevance of BAIS’ guidelines.

• Participating in peer benchmarking analysis and modeling to contribute to leading engagement and voting practices.

• Monitoring proxy voting workflow to ensure all accounts are voted as intended and are in accordance with the appropriate guidelines.

• Supporting the development of BAIS position papers and reporting.

• Analyzing companies’ shareholder meeting agendas and related materials in order to vote in the manner most consistent with BAIS’ corporate governance policies and fiduciary responsibilities.

• 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.

• Reviewing the BAIS team’s output and working practices to ensure risks are minimized and performance optimized.

Desired qualifications include:

• An undergraduate degree in finance, economics, accounting, political science, history, sustainability or other relevant field.

• A minimum of 4-6 years of experience in a financial services focused role, ideally with a demonstrated strong understanding of financial statements and corporate finance.

• Strong verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to synthesize complex information and convey it in a clear and concise manner to senior-level audiences.

• A diligent, focused, and persistent work ethic to implement while leading multiple tasks and changing priorities.

• The ability to prioritize, analyze, and resolve complex issues under time pressure while maintaining consistent attention to detail.

• An organized, self-reliant, and self-motivated approach to responsibilities.

• 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.