Associate/Vice President - Rates Trader

About this role

The Trading business executes trades on behalf of all portfolio management teams at the firm. The team is organized along regions and asset classes, providing the best service to our investment teams, and achieving optimal outcomes for our clients. We believe BlackRock’s size and scale serves as a distinct advantage, uniquely positioning us to access liquidity and deliver consistently strong execution.

Job Purpose/Background:

The Fixed Income Trading Team in London is seeking a trader to cover the execution of core rates market products. The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate the ability to interact effectively with portfolio managers, multiple internal groups, and the sell-side, in order to provide liquidity, best execution, and market flow information for investment activities in cash government bonds, financing and interest rate derivative markets.  An in-depth knowledge of the LDI market and familiarity with regulatory driven derivative market nuances are preferable.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide best execution in core rates cash and derivative markets for the LDI, fundamental and index fixed income teams

• Execute vanilla derivative instruments covering IRS and Futures

• Provide effective execution of cash markets with active experience in auctions and syndications alongside strong abilities in e-trading

• Assist with bespoke derivative transactions such as re-couponing, CSA change and novations

• Assist PM teams to effectively price derivative nuances across varying CSA limitations

• Provide insight into market activity and disseminate market intelligence and flow information

• Interact and develop close relationships with sell-side and provide input on counterparty relationships

• Management of orders, work flow, and prioritisation of trades

Qualifications:

• Must have significant fixed income trading experience across multiple products

• Familiarity with mechanics and nuances of the LDI market. Experience with non-linear rates products, including swaptions and volatility strategies, would be beneficial

• Fundamental competence with basic swap analysis and pricing, including CSA valuation

• Experience in trading on electronic platforms i.e. Tradeweb, MarketAxess, FLEX. Demonstrated use of data, automation or technology to improve trading workflows and execution outcomes would be advantageous

• Strong numeracy skills and attention to detail are vital

• Ability to work in entrepreneurial environment and to be a motivated self-starter

• Demonstrate the ability to prioritise demands in a high volume, pressurised business

• Collegiate demeanour, detail orientated, good communication skills and a team player

• Adaptability to take on ad hoc projects and tasks

• Advanced degree or CFA preferred

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.