Associate, Private Market Secondaries – Investment Team

About this role

BlackRock Private Markets

BlackRock’s private markets platform serves investors seeking outperformance in infrastructure, private debt, private equity, real estate and multi-alternatives solutions. We strive to bring our investors the highest quality opportunities by drawing upon our global footprint, superior execution capabilities, proprietary technology and position as a preferred partner. As of June 30, 2023, BlackRock manages US$320 billion in liquid and illiquid alternative investments and commitments on behalf of clients worldwide.

As part of a key growth engine for the firm, you’ll be invited to continue building the platform that is shaping the future of private market investing by creating and evolving innovative investment ideas and tech solutions on a team that continuously outperforms – setting new standards.

BlackRock Secondaries & Liquidity Solutions

BlackRock’s Secondaries & Liquidity Solutions (“SLS”) is the business unit within BlackRock Private Markets that focuses on secondary investments across a variety of private market strategies, including Private Equity, Growth Equity and Venture Capital, among others. The team focuses on both the LP-led and GP-led segments of the secondaries market, investing in large diversified portfolios as well as concentrated portfolios of select high quality assets. SLS leverages and benefits from the broader BlackRock platform, which enables (i) strong sourcing, (ii) meaningful industry and company insights, (iii) broad coverage of the private equity universe, and (iv) sophisticated investment capabilities.

The Role

SLS is seeking an Associate to join the investment team. Associates lead and participate in all aspects of the investment lifecycle, from sourcing, initial screening and due diligence, closing, post-investment monitoring, and reporting. The candidate will be an active participant in the business and, in addition to investment transactional work, should be interested in the entrepreneurial dimensions of helping in the evolution of all aspects of the SLS business including strategy, client / marketing engagement, data/technology initiatives, and investment processes and analyses. The ideal candidate has a Bachelor’s degree and some relevant corporate finance or investment experience (familiarity with private equity secondaries preferred).

This position demands excellent communications skills, strong analytical insight and financial modeling skills, perseverance and creativity in accessing information, the ability to balance multiple tasks, but most importantly, the ability to work effectively in a cross-functional, team-oriented environment with a passion for private market investing and business development.

Responsibilities

• Participate in due diligence of investment opportunities (principally secondaries but occasionally direct investments and primary funds as well), including conducting market and company research, formulating valuation analyses, creating, running and managing financial models, and preparing investment memoranda, and presenting recommendations to the senior investment team and Investment Committee
• Coordinate with service providers and internal BlackRock groups (Legal, Operations, and Risk) to manage the closings of new investments
• Develop and maintain relationships with intermediaries and general partners
• Work with and help guide the development of junior investment professionals
• Assist in the preparation of summary review materials in support of internal quarterly reviews, external investor reports, advisory board meetings, and fundraising
• General assistance and support of the senior SLS team in non-investment areas such as business planning and marketing strategy

Candidate Requirements 

• 2-4 years of relevant work experience
• Communication skills – Strong written and oral presentation skills, with the ability to effectively formulate and articulate opinions persuasively
• Technical skills – Ability to understand and develop financial models for companies and private equity funds (e.g., LBO models, valuation models, fund cash flow models, etc.)
• Analytical and critical thinking – Ability to identify and articulate key investment considerations and risks. Ability to constructively review and challenge other team members’ work, and willingness to receive and respect alternate points of view
• Strong interpersonal & team skills – Comfortable with consensus decision-making and working in a cross-functional, strong team-based environment
• High level of intellectual curiosity; Attention to detail
• Self-starter with strong initiative
• Organizational and time-management skills
• Outstanding academic achievement, demonstrated leadership and extracurricular involvement
• Passion for and understanding of the private markets and the evolution of secondaries across the private markets platform

For New York City only: The salary range for this position is $115,000 – $180,000. Additionally, employees are eligible for an annual discretionary bonus, and benefits including heath care, leave benefits, and retirement benefits. BlackRock operates a pay-for-performance compensation philosophy and your total compensation may vary based on role, location, and firm, department and individual performance.

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 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.