About this role
BlackRock is one of the world’s preeminent asset management firms and a premier provider of global investment management, risk management, and advisory services to institutional, intermediary and individual investors around the world. BlackRock offers a range of solutions — from rigorous fundamental and quantitative active management approaches aimed at maximizing outperformance to highly efficient indexing strategies designed to gain broad exposure to the world’s capital markets. Our clients can access our investment solutions through a variety of product structures, including individual and institutional separate accounts, mutual funds and other pooled investment vehicles, and the industry-leading iShares® ETFs.
BlackRock’s iShares is the #1 Exchange Traded Fund (ETF) provider globally. With more than 25 years of ETF innovation and expertise, iShares is a trusted leader in the ETF industry. We serve investors of all sizes, including advisors, individual investors, wealth managers, banks, asset managers, pensions, and insurers. The platform offers clients a comprehensive range of products that provide precise, transparent and cost-efficient access to a full range of asset classes and global markets.
Role and Team Overview
The Head of Portfolio Consulting & Strategy will be responsible for servicing and growing strategic partnerships in the Canadian financial advisory market. This role reports to the Americas Head of Portfolio Consulting.
The broader Americas Portfolio Consulting team is an investment team specializing in building custom investment solutions for the wealth advisory market and institutions using ETFs and other solutions. Consultants are client-facing specialists who work alongside distribution teams to (i) lead engagements that diagnose client investment challenges and shape solutions and (ii) deliver portfolio construction insights informed by research and macroeconomic views. In addition to the advisory market, the team also supports select institutional partnerships.
Primary Responsibilities
Partnering with the ETF specialists to integrate Portfolio Consulting as a key driver of sales through engagements that target discretionary advisory practices.
Responding to client consulting requests by crafting robust portfolio analyses. Types of requests include, but are not limited to, returns-based style analysis, holdings-based risk factor analysis, stress testing evaluations, and tracking error optimization.
Participating in client conference calls by delivering a high level of market knowledge and constructing efficient and thoughtful investment solutions to improve engagement and influence with advisors, while considering current economic conditions and our firm’s investment views.
Combining market insights with firm views to deliver impactful thought leadership addressing whole-portfolio implementation for Canadian clients.
Synthesizing portfolio research, client acumen, and macroeconomic insights into compelling client content, and establishing a local voice in the market through the delivery of presentations at in-market events, conferences, and small meetings.
Partnering with teams across the firm to leverage best practices, expertise, and tools to enhance local production capabilities, create additional capacity, and build scale.
Developing and implementing the channel business strategy, including the delivery of existing objectives, strategically applying technology to build scale, and embarking on new and innovative initiatives.
Supporting positive sales results within defined client territories and focus strategies.
Continually expanding and deepening the investment, portfolio construction, and product suite knowledge base, and seeking ways to improve relevance to clients.
Providing day-to-day leadership and mentorship to support local delivery and execution.
Skills & Qualifications
CFA designation is required for this position
Strong interpersonal and relationship-management skills
Understanding of ETFs, mutual funds and other investment vehicles
BA/BS in finance, economics, or another related field; MBA a plus
Comfortable with public speaking and delivering presentations
Strong analytical skills, with the ability to interpret and evaluate complex investment product information and determine appropriate responses to meet the needs of financial advisors
Ability to work flexibly and adapt to changing requirements and priorities
Strong written and verbal communications skills
Team-first mindset with high integrity
Strong Excel and PowerPoint skills required. Familiarity with industry software (Morningstar Direct, Bloomberg, MPI, etc.), as well as portfolio risk models/risk analytics tools (e.g., Barra, Aladdin, Axioma), is highly valued.
Our benefits
To help you stay energized, engaged and inspired, we offer a wide range of benefits including a strong retirement plan, tuition reimbursement, comprehensive healthcare, support for working parents 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 workplace. We are committed to equal employment opportunity to all applicants and existing employees, and we evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, creed, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity/expression), sexual orientation, age, ancestry, physical or mental disability, marital status, political affiliation, religion, citizenship status, genetic information, veteran status, or any other basis protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. View the EEOC’s Know Your Rights poster and its supplement and the pay transparency statement.
BlackRock is committed to full inclusion of all qualified individuals and to providing reasonable accommodations or job modifications for individuals with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation/adjustments are needed throughout the employment process, please email Disability.Assistance@blackrock.com. All requests are treated in line with our privacy policy.
BlackRock will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records in a manner consistent with the requirements of the law, including any applicable fair chance law.