Employment Lawyer – EMEA Legal & Compliance

About this role

BlackRock is one of the world’s pre-eminent 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.

Job Purpose/Background:

The role will involve the provision of legal support in the EMEA (Europe, Middle East & Africa) region on the full range of employment law issues which impact on BlackRock’s business in EMEA.  There are over 7,000 employees in the EMEA region.  While the main focus will be on the UK, there are staff across 22 different jurisdictions in the EMEA region including Germany, Netherlands, France, Italy, Spain, Switzerland and UAE.

The Employment Lawyer role involves working closely with Human Resources across a wide range of contentious and non-contentious work including employee relations items (grievances, performance management, disciplinaries, flexible working applications, redundancies, mutual separation agreements, TUPE transfers, Tribunal claims, ACAS early conciliation, etc.) and advice to the Recruitment, Mobility, Reward and HR Operations teams.

The successful candidate will join a Litigation & Employment team in London of 7 lawyers (within an EMEA Legal & Compliance department of 68 qualified lawyers, 125 compliance professionals and 7 staff in the Chief Operating Office and Administration teams) who are responsible for advising on employment law as well as litigation/dispute resolution, regulatory enforcement actions, regulatory investigations, operating events and other contentious items.  There are currently two other employment lawyers as well as three litigators/regulatory enforcement lawyers in the team, in addition to the team lead.

The individual will be expected to work with a high degree of autonomy and, once familiar with the BlackRock structure and operating model, to work with minimum levels of supervision / review of work produced.  Whilst the learning curve will be steep, the candidate will be expected to take on a complete workload promptly after joining and partner with the HR team and the other lawyers in the team.  The ability to start soon would also be advantageous.

Key Responsibilities:

• Assisting team leader and the two Director level employment lawyers with legal support to the HR team in the EMEA region.
• Coverage of all aspects of contentious and non-contentious employment law work in the EMEA region.
• Working with the HR Employee Relations team and HR Business Partners to provide legal support and advice on employee relations matters including grievances, performance management matters, disciplinaries, flexible working applications, redundancies, mutual separation agreements, TUPE transfers, Tribunal claims, ACAS early conciliations, Employee DSARs etc.
• Working with the HR team and business on key business or regulatory projects - previous examples include Corporate Acquisitions, Modern Slavery Act, SMCR and Gender Pay Gap reporting.
• Working with the business and HR on transfers of staff and on the impact on staff of outsourcing, insourcing, new office openings and acquisition activities.
• Advising and working with the Reward team in respect of any legal input required on compensation and benefits matters including remuneration regulations across EMEA.
• Working with the Recruitment Team on employment contracts and review of restrictive covenants for new hire candidates.
• Working with colleagues in the US on stock award agreements and matters with a global remit such as diversity and inclusion initiatives.
• Advising and inputting on both global and local HR Policies and initiatives.
• Working with the Core Compliance team on staff related regulatory matters such as personal trading, gifts and entertainment and approved/certified person regime.
• Proactively identifying, addressing and managing legal risk issues arising with employment law matters.
• Liaising as necessary with external counsel, particularly in jurisdictions outside the UK.

Other Responsibilities:

• Develop and actively manage relationships with key internal stakeholders and external advisers.
• Conduct training and education sessions where relevant for legal and non-legal members of BlackRock.

Knowledge/Experience:

• Solicitor / Lawyer qualified in England and Wales or other relevant jurisdiction(s).
• Strong academic record.
• Comprehensive relevant employment law experience (gained either in private practice or the in-house legal team of a financial services organisation).
• Previous experience of advising on compensation and benefits matters, in particular, on the application of remuneration regulations across EMEA, would be helpful (though not required).

Competencies:

• Develops constructive professional relationships across the firm and with external advisers.
• Persuasive and influential of internal client base in the provision of advice and manages internal client base’s expectations.
• Demonstrates a commercial outlook, is motivated and personable.
• The ability to identify legal risk (even if little prior experience in the relevant area).
• Strong attention to detail.
• Ability to gather information and analyse data.
• Clarifies tasks and requirements, organises time and manages workload to ensure deadlines are met.
• Manages multiple tasks concurrently and efficiently.
• Communicates effectively at all levels of the firm in verbal and written form.
• Seeks to understand BlackRock’s business, industry, products and processes.
• Develops solutions to problems.
• Takes ownership of problems / requirements and ensures they are resolved to meet objectives.

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.