Associate, Compliance Advisory

About this role

Business Unit Overview:

BlackRock's Compliance Department protects BlackRock’s reputation and provides client focused advice.  It understands challenges and advises on the impact of regulation in our business, with the objective of:

• Actively participating in business decisions in order to champion our clients’ interests;
• Collaborating with the business to position Compliance centrally into their daily work;
• Ensuring that client interests are at the centre of everything we do;
• Cultivating and enhancing the compliance culture within BlackRock;
• Providing thought leadership, analysis and advice on the impact of the regulatory framework on the business and its clients; and
• Developing and fostering excellence within the Compliance team.

Role Description:

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an Associate to join our Institutional Clients & Client Solutions team within the Compliance Line of Business team. This position will complement an existing team of expert compliance professionals based in London, Edinburgh and Budapest and will support the Head of L&C Budapest who provides senior coverage for the Institutional Clients & Solutions team.

The team is responsible for overseeing regulatory risks and activities associated with the marketing, distribution, and delivery of institutional, wealth, and Outsource Chief Investment Officer (OCIO) client solutions (products and services) in EMEA — an important area of growth for BlackRock, and partnerships. In this role, you will interact with a broad range of stakeholders across the firm and work closely with our institutional and wealth client businesses, the Multi-Asset Strategies & Solutions (MASS) team, the investment group at the heart of BlackRock's portfolio construction and asset allocation ecosystem, and other investment teams across the firm.

The team also provides compliance support and oversight for our Financial Markets Advisory (FMA) business, which offers a range of advisory services leveraging the firm’s capital markets, data and risk analytics, technology, and financial modelling capabilities, as well as our Aladdin business (including eFront).

Based in Budapest, the role will also include supporting the Head of L&C Budapest by providing compliance advice and oversight for activities undertaken by Sales, Investment, and Support teams based in Budapest, one of our hubs in Europe.

The ideal candidate will have at least 3 years of relevant experience working within a control function, ideally in a compliance or legal role within the asset management industry or a consultancy background. The candidate should possess a solid understanding of UCITS rules, MiFID requirements, FCA regulations, conduct of business standards, and the distribution of services in EMEA. Additionally, the ability to provide timely and valuable regulatory advice to business stakeholders is essential.

A proven track record of collaborating effectively with business stakeholders, legal teams, and other compliance functions will be highly advantageous. The successful candidate will demonstrate strong partnership, technical regulatory expertise, and relationship management skills. The ability to offer constructive challenges and engage successfully with stakeholders at all levels is crucial.

We are looking for a highly motivated self-starter who exhibits sound judgment, excellent technical and regulatory knowledge, and a strong team ethic. The ideal candidate will bring high energy, enthusiasm, intellectual curiosity, resilience, tenacity, diplomacy, and exceptional relationship management skills to the role.

Key Responsibilities:

• Making a strong contribution to the Compliance Team's provision of qualitative compliance advice, advisory support, and oversight.
• Overseeing regulatory risks and activities associated with the marketing, distribution, and delivery of institutional, wealth, and OCIO client solutions (products and services) in EMEA.
• Efficiently managing routine tasks and responsibilities for the Institutional Clients & Solutions team, ensuring seamless support of our business stakeholders.
• Providing regulatory advice, undertaking monitoring activities, and conducting training to the Budapest office teams as a member of the local Country Compliance Officer team.
• Strengthening the relationship between the Compliance Team and business stakeholders (e.g., Investment and Business Management Teams, institutional and wealth client channels, FMA, Aladdin, Legal, Client Contracting, Tech & Ops, etc.) and promoting a first-class compliance culture.
• Participating in client due diligence visits, prospective client sales meetings, and direct conversations with clients where required.
• Supporting the launch of new solutions for clients, including regulatory advice on UCITS/AIFMD, pre- and post-trade monitoring, distribution matters, ESG matters, MAR, etc.
• Advising on, interpreting regulations, and applying BlackRock's compliance policies in relation to existing and new business initiatives, issue identification and management, and breach resolution.
• Participating in Compliance-led or business-led projects, including regulatory developments and strategic initiatives, by providing expert and timely value-added advice.
• Contributing to the creation of management reporting and communication on Compliance matters to senior management, corporate and/or fund boards, and BlackRock business stakeholders.
• Providing advice on anticipating, assessing the impact of, and responding to regulatory developments.

Knowledge / Experience:

• Strong communication skills with the ability to articulate complex regulatory matters and well-developed relationship management skills.
• Technical ability and mindset to challenge the status quo, with the judgment to use this appropriately.
• A solution-oriented mindset and commercial acumen.
• Consistent ability to demonstrate high standards of professional accuracy and excellent attention to detail.
• Demonstrable ability to influence a high-performing internal client base by delivering timely, credible, accurate, and value-added advice.
• Highly effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to prioritize workloads, manage multiple tasks, and adhere to deadlines.
• Ability to collaborate effectively both within the team and across functions, and to work autonomously with minimal supervision.
• Relevant experience within a control function, ideally within the asset management industry and within Compliance or Legal or a consultancy background.
• At least 3 years of relevant experience working within a control function, ideally within Compliance or Legal, in the asset management industry.
• Working knowledge of UCITS, AIFMD, MiFID requirements (including investment advice, product governance, costs & charges, client categorization, suitability, and research), FCA Rules, MAR, and conduct of business requirements and regulatory requirements in relation to the distribution of services in EMEA.

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.