Compliance Monitoring and Testing Team, Associate

About this role

Compliance Monitoring and Testing Team – Edinburgh Associate Job

EMEA Compliance Monitoring and Testing, Associate

The Compliance Monitoring & Testing (CMT) team within BlackRock’s Legal & Compliance (L&C) department is a dynamic, high-profile, high-performing global team which identifies and assesses regulatory and conduct risk across BlackRock and delivers an annual program of Compliance Monitoring reviews and risk assessments. The team has members across the global organization who work closely together on a day-to-day basis. The team’s key activity is delivering its annual Compliance Monitoring program by undertaking in-depth reviews focused on different business units, country offices and regulatory themes as well as delivering an ongoing program of targeted testing.

This role involves responsibility for supporting CMT team members in delivering reviews through collaboration and engagement with key business and L&C stakeholders to develop a detailed understanding of how each business operates and to challenge and influence their management of regulatory risk as well as conducting reviews.

The successful candidate will have strong written and verbal communication skills and confidence engaging with and managing relationships with a broad range of stakeholders across business areas and leadership roles. We are looking for a candidate who is enthusiastic, collaborative, creative, diplomatic, decisive, self-motivated, and thrives in a fast-paced, deadline-oriented environment.

Key Responsibilities

The successful candidate will:

• Assist in the planning, preparation, and socialization of the annual compliance monitoring and testing plan (CMTP), including performing compliance risk assessments in collaboration with regional and global L&C stakeholders.
• Execute key components of the CMT Team’s monitoring and testing programme, e.g., delivering the scoping, execution and reporting of CMT tests and reviews. This includes:
  (i) undertaking extensive scoping and planning activities to develop comprehensive test plans/testing matrices;
  (ii) drafting cohesive reports/working papers for CMT reviews;
  (iii) presenting findings and recommendations to senior management within L&C and senior business stakeholders.
• Support the execution of four types of reviews: Regular Testing, Targeted Testing, Focused Reviews, and Deep Dive Reviews, depending on the nature and severity of compliance risks.
• Assist in the tracking of identified issues and action plans to validate remediation efforts, as well as escalate to relevant stakeholders where required.
• Prepare and deliver management information used for senior management, boards and committee postings.
• Develop strong partnerships and collaborate with key stakeholders within business as well as L&C department both regionally and globally.
• Contribute to the delivery of strategic projects and initiatives as part of ongoing programme enhancements.
• Build an understanding and awareness of BlackRock’s business, product platform and its operational and regulatory control environment.
• Develop strong subject matter expertise on specific regulations, particularly relevant to BlackRock’s business activities regionally and globally, including maintaining up-to-date knowledge of changes in key regulatory requirements, regulatory focus and risk themes impacting BlackRock.
• Proactively identify, analyze and escalate key regulatory risks identified as part of risk assessment and/or compliance monitoring activities.
• Support ad hoc testing and exposure assessments as directed by the Global Head of Compliance or Global CMT Head, applying proportionate documentation standards.

Knowledge/Experience and Education

The knowledge and experience required includes:

• Prior experience in compliance monitoring, internal audit, other testing experience or with a financial regulator.
• Understanding of the asset management sector.
• Strong knowledge of regulatory requirements and focus areas on the UK and European Union.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with a track record of drafting high-impact and high-quality reports.
• Project management skills and experience delivering projects in a complex organization.
• Proven track record in producing high-quality deliverables under competing priorities and adherence to deadlines.
• Knowledge of other key compliance and risk management topics would be beneficial, for example risk assessment methodologies and developing management information.
• Motivated, action-oriented and adaptable.
• Strong analytical, critical thinking and problem-solving skills with the ability to exercise sound and balanced judgment.
• Proactive identification of risks and ability to propose solutions.
• Ability to work independently as well as with a range of senior managers and peers.

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.