Associate, European Investment Grade Credit Research - Financials

About this role

Associate, European IG Credit Research Analyst – Financials

Corporate Title: Associate

Business / Division: Portfolio Management Group (PMG) - Fundamental Fixed Income (FFI)

Location: London

Business Unit Overview:

BlackRock's Fundamental Fixed Income team offers an array of fixed income products designed to meet specific client risk and return profiles. Incorporating the expertise of BlackRock's sector specialists, each client portfolio is tailored to reflect specific investment guidelines and objectives with respect to interest rate exposure, sector allocation and credit quality.

Job Purpose/Background:

We are seeking a highly motivated senior Associate to join our European Investment Grade Credit Research team in London. The primary focus will be on the insurance sector, but there may be opportunities to expand into other financial sub-sectors (e.g., banks and real estate) across both investment grade and high yield to support growing platform investment needs. The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in supporting our investment decision-making process by providing high-quality, fundamental credit research and insightful analysis. This role offers a unique opportunity to be part of a high-performing team within one of the world’s leading asset management firms.

Key Responsibilities will include:

• Taking on full responsibility, with minimal oversight, for conducting in-depth fundamental credit analysis on primarily European investment-grade companies, with a primary focus on the Insurance sector. There will also likely be opportunities related to other financial-related sub-sectors (e.g., banks, real estate) across both IG and HY.
• Preparing detailed research reports and investment recommendations for portfolio managers and other internal stakeholders.
• Engaging with management teams, industry experts, and rating agencies to gather insights and validate assumptions.
• Presenting credit opinions and trade ideas to the investment team, supporting portfolio construction and risk management decisions.
• Tracking and analyzing bond market trends, new issuance and secondary market activity in the related sector(s).
• Collaborating with other credit analysts and team members across difference sectors to share knowledge and market intelligence.

Experience and knowledge required:

• Extensive primary analyst experience (5+ years) covering the insurance sector, ideally within an asset management, investment banking, or credit rating agency environment. Experience covering other financial-related sub-sectors (e.g., banks and real estate) and HY is advantageous.
• Strong knowledge of the European insurance sector, including regulatory frameworks, capital structures, and key credit drivers. Knowledge in other financial-related sub-sectors (e.g., banks and real estate) and HY is advantageous.
• Comprehensive knowledge of credit rating agency methodologies.
• Extensive experience engaging as a primary analyst with company management, industry experts, and external parties such as rating agencies and sell-side analysts.
• Demonstrated ability to prepare and present detailed research reports and investment recommendations to senior stakeholders.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with a capacity to present complex ideas clearly and persuasively.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to work under tight deadlines while managing multiple priorities.
• Familiarity with European bond markets, including new issuance and secondary market activity, is advantageous.
• Proficiency with financial data platforms and research tools such as Bloomberg, FactSet, or similar.

• Proficiency in English is mandatory. Proficiency in an additional language is advantageous.

Competencies required:

• Strong interest in a career credit research analyst pathway.
• Analytical thinking: Ability to process large amounts of complex financial data and market information to form well-reasoned credit and investment opinions.
• Attention to detail: Meticulous approach to analyzing financial statements, market trends and credit risks.
• Problem-solving: Strong capacity to identify key issues, challenge assumptions, and find creative solutions to analytical challenges.
• Decision-making: Confidence in making sound investment recommendations, even in the face of uncertainty or incomplete information.
• Communication skills: Clear and concise writing and verbal presentation skills, with the ability to convey complex credit analyses to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Collaboration: Effective team player who works with colleagues across research, portfolio management, and risk management teams.
• Initiative: Proactive in seeking out relevant information, staying updated on market developments, and anticipating potential risks or opportunities.
• Time management: Ability to prioritize tasks and meet tight deadlines while maintaining the quality of research and analysis.
• Adaptability: Comfortable working in a fast-paced and evolving market environment, with the ability to adjust to new information quickly.
• Integrity: High ethical standards and commitment to ensuring compliance with all regulatory requirements and internal guidelines.

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.