Vice President/ Director, Head of Investment Risk, Australia

About this role

Business Overview

The Risk & Quantitative Analysis (RQA) group provides independent oversight of BlackRock’s fiduciary and enterprise risks.  RQA’s principal objectives are to advance the firm’s risk management practices and to deliver independent risk expertise and constructive challenge to drive better business and investment outcomes.  RQA’s risk managers play a meaningful role in BlackRock’s investment process, using quantitative analysis and a multi-disciplinary skillset to tackle real-world problems and provide tangible solutions in the investment management process.

RQA is committed to investing in our people to increase individual enablement and ultimately build a stronger team. Our goal is to create a culture of inclusion which encourages collaboration, innovation, diversity and the development our future leaders.  We actively engage in discussions on career growth and work with team members to understand how personal passions and strength connect with our purpose.

What the RQA group at BlackRock has:

• The opportunity to provide real world solutions that help preserve and protect the hopes and dreams of (truly) billions of people around the world

• A team of world-class risk managers and quants partnering with portfolio management teams to oversee our clients’ portfolios

• Global colleagues with subject matter expertise in investing, macroeconomics, financial modeling and strategy

Key Responsibilities:

We are looking for a candidate with solid quantitative and communication skills to join RQA’s Investment Risk Management team to manage Investment risk covering Equity, Fixed Income and Multi-Asset in Australia. Responsibilities include but are not limited to taking a lead role in facilitating discussions with portfolio managers on all aspects of the portfolio construction process, working with portfolio managers and others in RQA to understand different risks in the market and exposures to them, leading research projects and presenting analyses to the Australia portfolio management teams. RQA is also responsible for risk oversight and helping the firm manage risk by ensuring that senior management is apprised of risks across the Equity, Fixed Income and Multi-Asset book of business.

The purpose of this role is also to ensure that all locally managed Australia portfolios, both retail and institutional funds, are adequately managed, to assist portfolio managers in improving the portfolio construction process and to help them navigate the risks in the market environment.

The principal responsibilities of the Investment Risk Manager:

• Ensure risk taking is consistent with client objectives by understanding portfolio construction, risk attribution and designing appropriate stress/scenario analyses

• Communicate effectively and provide constructive challenge to decision makers to influence portfolio construction and drive better investment decisions

• Taking an active role and being accountable for identifying, measuring and communicating to senior management the market and non-market risks that BlackRock and our clients are exposed to

• Helping portfolio managers develop their ability to construct risk-aware portfolios

• Supporting the creation, production and delivery of analytics pertaining to risk management

• Partnering with BlackRock Solutions to deliver state-of-the-practice risk analytics and risk models to BlackRock through the Aladdin platform

• Performing quantitative analysis across fixed income and equity asset classes to help advance the investment process

• Provide investment risk management support for Australia governance committee and Board

• Partnering with internal stakeholders to ensure that relevant guidelines and regulations from ASIC & APRA are implemented in a timely and comprehensive manner

• Attending client meetings as the key Investment Risk representative in Australia

• Ensure ESG issues are fully reflected in both the investment and risk management process

Qualifications:

• Minimum 7 years’ experience working in Risk Management or Quantitative finance role

• Working knowledge of financial markets, with familiarity in equities, fixed income, FX and commodities

• Advanced degree in a quantitative discipline is strongly preferred

• Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), FRM, PRMIA, or GARP designation is a plus

• Programming (Matlab, S-Plus, SAS, Excel VBA, R) and database (SQL) skills are highly desirable

• Excellent verbal and written communication and presentation skills

• Excellent quantitative and analytical skills

• Highly organized and able to adhere to tight deadlines

• Comfortable working under pressure

• Ability to work effectively in a collaborative environment

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.

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 careers.blackrock.com | www.blackrock.com/corporate | Instagram: @blackrock | Twitter: @blackrock | LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/blackrock

BlackRock is proud to be an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer.  We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, protected veteran status, and other statuses protected by law.

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.