Institutional Legal Lawyer – EMEA Legal & Compliance

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 maximising 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 and index mutual funds.

Job Purpose/Background:

The Institutional Legal Team provides advice and support to the Multi-Asset Strategies & Solutions (“MASS”) business (including Outsourced Chief Investment Officer, Retail Wealth solutions and model portfolio advisory and distribution), EMEA Institutional Client Businesses (“ICB”), Transition Management team and BlackRock’s captive life insurance vehicle for institutional clients, BlackRock Life Limited (“BLL”), and also advises the firm on certain areas of corporate and commercial legal risk and regulatory change.

This role will be within a team of 6 lawyers supporting the full breadth of the team’s coverage.  The successful candidate will work with multiple client channels across BlackRock, including the ETF and Index Investing Business, Retail Business and ICB, which collaborate with the MASS Business to deliver solutions to clients, as well as working closely with colleagues in the wider Products & Solutions Legal team (of which the Institutional Legal team forms a part).

The successful candidate will be expected to work autonomously and, once familiar with BlackRock documentation and processes, to work with minimum levels of supervision. The role requires a collaborative approach, working closely alongside business colleagues. The role has a steep learning curve, and the candidate will be expected to take on a full workload promptly after joining.

Key Responsibilities:

• Identify, address and manage legal and regulatory risk issues arising within the institutional client and MASS businesses across the EMEA region.
• Act as a strategic legal partner to the MASS, ICB and Transition Management business teams, proactively identifying solutions and driving outcomes rather than operating in a purely reactive advisory capacity.
• Participate directly in client-facing discussions and negotiations with clients and their counsel in relation to legally complex advisory, investment management and transition management agreements, as well as partnership agreements, in each case taking ownership of legal points and driving transactions to completion.
• Provide legal support and advice on certain commercial legal and regulatory areas, including MiFID analysis, outsourcing arrangements and fund distribution.
• Coordinate and manage external legal advice on areas of law that impact client business and BLL driven work, ensuring quality advice is delivered.
• Liaise directly with members of Legal & Compliance across the globe and stakeholders within the firm, as well as external lawyers and consultants acting on behalf of clients.

Governance & Policy Engagement:

• Support the BLL Board and advise on BLL documentation and governance.
• Provide feedback to industry consultations in relation to new legislation and policy-making process (including consultation with regulators).

Knowledge/Experience:

• Solicitor / lawyer qualified in England and Wales or other relevant jurisdiction(s).
• At least 4 years’ relevant experience in investment management, financial services, funds, corporate, M&A or other transactional practice (private practice or in-house).
• Candidates with strong transactional or commercial legal backgrounds who can demonstrate an aptitude for learning new regulatory frameworks are actively encouraged to apply.
• Whilst not essential, technical expertise and/or familiarity with regulatory issues including MiFID investment advice, UCITS and AIF distribution and retail and wealth intermediary platforms would be helpful.
• Strong academic record.

Competencies:

• Develops constructive professional relationships across the firm (particularly client businesses and other internal stakeholders) and builds relationships with external advisers.
• Ability to persuade and influence internal client base in the provision of advice and manage internal client base’s expectations.
• Confident in external client-facing settings, with the ability to represent the legal function in negotiations and commercial discussions.
• Demonstrates a commercial outlook, and is motivated and personable.
• Ability to identify and manage legal risk (even if little prior experience in the relevant area) and to develop a sound opinion on diverse legal and reputational matters.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to gather information and analyse data thoroughly.
• Clarifies tasks and requirements, organises time and manages workload to ensure deadlines are met.
• Communicates effectively in verbal and written form. 
• Develops solutions to problems and anticipates potential issues before they become problems. 

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.

Guidance on AI use for candidates

At BlackRock, AI has long been part of how we work – enhancing decision-making, improving operations, and helping us deliver better outcomes for clients. We encourage candidates to use AI thoughtfully to learn, prepare, and work more effectively; but during our interview process, we want to focus on getting to know you through your own experiences, thinking, and judgment. To support you, we’ve provided guidance on when and how to use AI during our hiring process so you can approach each step with confidence and showcase your best self.

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.

To learn more about BlackRock, please visit Careers.BlackRock.com. We also encourage you to get to know us on LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube, X, and TikTok.

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.