Director (Quantitative Economics), Insurance Advisory

About this role

Team Overview

The Insurance Advisory & Investment Solutions (“IA&IS”) team is a group of insurance specialists with diverse backgrounds from asset management, investment banking, insurance, and consultancy.

A key focus of the team is engaging with insurance clients to help solve their most complex asset allocation, portfolio construction, risk, and capital management challenges. This work also requires the team to develop bespoke modelling and analytical capabilities, both independently and leveraging the broader BlackRock analytical platform.

We use our collective insurance, analytics, and investment expertise and experience to deliver effective investment propositions that address the needs of our insurance clients.

Responsibilities

• Lead research and development of the team’s global analytical platform, with a specific focus on the modelling of the risk and return of asset classes and individual securities, as required by the team’s asset allocation and portfolio construction frameworks.

• Motivate, design, and manage complex research projects through close collaboration across both the IA & IS team and the wider BlackRock platform, driving commercially relevant development of the team’s analytical capabilities.

• Own and champion the team’s insurance advisory frameworks, driving their adoption and commercial impact globally.

• Act as a subject matter expert in quantitative financial economics as applied to both the team’s and BlackRock’s broader analytical platforms.

• Maintain strong relationships with internal partners in the Financial & Strategic Investors Group, the BlackRock Investment Institute, Aladdin Financial Engineering and relevant investment teams to drive enhancements in analytical capabilities of relevance to insurers.

Qualifications

Knowledge/Experience:

• 10+ years experience building and deploying content focussed, research led products and services in a commercial setting.

• Deep knowledge and understanding of applied quantitative financial economics.

• Comprehensive understanding of modern financial mathematics (e.g. bond mathematics, option pricing, hedging, stochastic processes, Monte Carlo simulation in real world and risk neutral environments, interest-rate modelling) and portfolio construction analytics (e.g. mean-variance optimization with constraints) are essential.

• Proven ability to lead teams to deliver on technically complex projects under tight timescales, including the ability to interact with senior stakeholders and to tailor project deliverables to commercial, business and technical considerations.

• Familiarity with the regulatory, accounting, risk management and strategic frameworks under which insurers operate, including their implications for asset allocation and portfolio construction, is advantageous.

• Familiarity with the Moody’s Economic Scenario Generator, or other market-leading Economic Scenario Generator software, is desirable.

• Ability to lead analytical developments within the context of a large, global platform and to effectively engage diverse stakeholders by communicating technical concepts succinctly and with impact, ensuring robust and relevant outcomes are delivered to the highest standards.

• Advanced degree in economics, quantitative finance or other technical discipline.

• Professional designations such as CFA, FRM, FIA, FSA etc. would be viewed favorably but are not essential.

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.