Blackstone is the world’s largest alternative asset manager. We seek to create positive economic impact and long-term value for our investors, the companies we invest in, and the communities in which we work. We do this by using extraordinary people and flexible capital to help companies solve problems. Our $1 trillion in assets under management include investment vehicles focused on private equity, real estate, public debt and equity, infrastructure, life sciences, growth equity, opportunistic, non-investment grade credit, real assets and secondary funds, all on a global basis. Further information is available at www.blackstone.com. Follow @blackstone on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram.

 

Blackstone Europe Fund Management S.à r.l. (BEFM) is a private limited liability company (société à responsibilité limitée) notably subject to the Law of 10 August 1915 on commercial companies, as amended from time to time and to the AIFM Law. BEFM is authorized by the Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier (CSSF) as (i) a management company under Article 101(2) (Chapter 15) of the Law of 17 December 2010 on undertakings for collective investment, as amended (the UCI Law) and (ii) an alternative investment fund manager in accordance with the Law of 12 July 2013 on alternative investment fund managers, as amended (the AIFM Law).

BEFM manages UCITS and alternative investment funds (AIFs) in a variety of asset classes including private equity, real estate, credit and hedge fund solutions. BEFM is also authorized to manage separately managed accounts (SMAs) with a combination of these asset classes.

Job Responsibilities

Seeking an Associate  for a newly established team, BEFM Fund Finance Oversight team (FFO). The FFO team is responsible for ensuring that the financial reporting requirements of the AIFs, UCITS and SMAs (the “Funds”) are met, including all corporate, statutory, regulatory and tax reporting matters. In addition, the FFO team is responsible for the oversight of the delegates or other finance service providers / counterparties. The role will be a key part of the International Finance team in Luxembourg and will report to the Luxembourg head of Fund Finance Oversight team. It is part of a small team and therefore is a hands-on role.  Working closely with the other Finance teams globally, he/she will be responsible for the following areas, with an expertise focused on some fund strategies.

Financial Reporting (34%)

• Responsibility for the timely delivery of high quality financial and management reporting for the Funds. 
• Playing an integral part in the smooth running of the year-end audits for the Funds, working with the various stakeholders, including external auditor, Group fund accounting teams and Fund administrators (e.g. reviewing the audit budget & audit scope, organize the audit planning meeting, reviewing the financial statements, audit report, audit representation letter, participation to the completion of the SAQ for regulated Funds and AIFM).
• Responsibility for all regulatory returns (e.g. AIFMD annual report, Annex IV reporting) and tax returns (incl. VAT, FATCA & CRS) for the Funds.
• Control budget and fees for our service providers.

Oversight of delegates and other counterparties (the “counterparties”) (33%)

• Supporting the oversight of fund administrators and depositaries, which includes the review and challenge of key performance indicators produced by the counterparties, but also the coordination within the Group in case of operational issues or new regulatory requirements to implement.
• Supporting Group operations teams and depositary banks on ownership verification of assets held by the Funds (e.g. participation to regular calls on investment activity, reconciliation of Fund’s portfolio).
• Supporting the onboarding of Fund administrator and depositary bank in case a new Fund is launched (e.g. reviewing constitutive Fund documents and legal agreements, performing a risk assessment on each new Fund launch, implementing or amending Fund administrator or depositary bank operating memorandum).
• Preparing the periodic due diligence on Fund administrators and depositary banks (e.g. review of the due diligence questionnaire, review of the answers received, on-site visit, preparation of the due diligence report).
• Coordination of the other due diligences needed (e.g. sub-custodian, due diligence the Depositary Banks should perform on AIFM or on Fund administrator and other Blackstone affiliates).

Governance and reporting to senior management (33%)

• Proposing improvements of the FFO processes, enhancement of procedures and processes as well as the use of offshore resources and technology.
• Ensuring a robust control environment for all financial reporting, to ensure compliance with all relevant obligations (e.g. reviewing and amending policies and procedures accordingly).
• Assisting the Investor Relations team with ad-hoc and recurring requests from current investors, as well as addressing requests in respect of prospective investors (e.g. preparing supporting documents in case of an operational due diligence made by an investor).
• Preparing management information for the Management Committee meetings and BEFM & Fund Board Meetings
• Other general administrative tasks.

Qualifications & Skills

Blackstone seeks to hire individuals who work well in a team, are highly motivated, with a sound judgment and have demonstrated excellence in prior endeavors.

• Master’s Degree in Finance, Economics, Accounting or similar discipline.
• +4 years of relevant financial services industry experience (including a prior experience in a Big 4 as a consultant or an auditor) with good understanding of alternative industry operations.
• Experience in due diligence of Fund administrator, depositary bank or AIFM is an asset.
• Knowledge of the local regulatory requirements in relation to AIFM (e.g., circ. CSSF 18/698, 18/697, 22/811). Knowledge of the local requirements in relation to UCITS, UCI Part II (FCP, SICAV), RAIF is a plus.
• Proficiency in MS Excel and MS PowerPoint required (ability to produce creative, compelling, detailed reporting materials). Strong appetite to use of technology.
• Collaborative team player with confidence to build relationships and be the primary contact point for a range of senior stakeholders.
• Fluent in English, both written and oral.
• Strong leadership skills with ability to effectively manage and coach offshore staff.
• Superior communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to communicate with stakeholders at all levels.
• Highly motivated individual with the ability to work on own initiative and manage competing priorities to tight reporting deadlines.   
• Highly organised, goal oriented, and solutions focused.
• Great attention to details and accountability for delivery.
• Proactive and able to suggest new efficient solutions.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, national origin or any other category protected by law.

The duties and responsibilities described here are not exhaustive and additional assignments, duties, or responsibilities may be required of this position.  Assignments, duties, and responsibilities may be changed at any time, with or without notice, by Blackstone in its sole discretion.

Blackstone is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, marital or partnership status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, genetic predisposition, veteran or military status, status as a victim of domestic violence, a sex offense or stalking, or any other class or status in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including but not limited to hiring, placement, promotion, termination, transfer, leave of absence, compensation, and training.  All Blackstone employees, including but not limited to recruiting personnel and hiring managers, are required to abide by this policy.

If you need a reasonable accommodation to complete your application, please contact Human Resources at 212-583-5000 (US), +44 (0)20 7451 4000 (EMEA) or +852 3656 8600 (APAC).

Depending on the position, you may be required to obtain certain securities licenses if you are in a client facing role and/or if you are engaged in the following:

• Attending client meetings where you are discussing Blackstone products and/or and client questions;

• Marketing Blackstone funds to new or existing clients;

• Supervising or training securities licensed employees;

• Structuring or creating Blackstone funds/products; and

• Advising on marketing plans prepared by a sales team or developing and/or contributing information for marketing materials.

Note: The above list is not the exhaustive list of activities requiring securities licenses and there may be roles that require review on a case-by-case basis.  Please speak with your Blackstone Recruiting contact with any questions.

To submit your application please complete the form below. Fields marked with a red asterisk * must be completed to be considered for employment (although some can be answered "prefer not to say"). Failure to provide this information may compromise the follow-up of your application. When you have finished click Submit at the bottom of this form.