Vice President - Employee Relations

About this role

About Human Resources and Employee Relations (ER)

Our CEO and leadership team believe the long-term sustainability of our firm is heavily dependent on our people. At BlackRock, we make a deliberate effort to foster a unifying culture, to encourage innovation, to ensure that we are developing, retaining and recruiting the best talent, to align employee incentives and risk taking with those of the firm, and to incorporate inclusion and diversity into all levels of our business.

BlackRock’s purpose is to help more and more people experience financial well-being. The BlackRock Human Resources team strives to transform the human resources function in the same way we are transforming access to financial well-being. We are students of the market and technology that are passionate about finding, growing and retaining the best talent to help deliver on the firm’s purpose to help more people build a strong financial future.

The Employee Relations teams’ purpose is to ensure fair and consistent treatment of all BlackRock colleagues, through fostering a respectful and inclusive environment.   The team advises across BlackRock’s business areas on a number of employee related matters, including the handling of employee complaints.

About the ER Advisory Team

The ER advisory team provide advice and support on a broad range of employee issues, including but not limited to:

• Employee underperformance
• Non-voluntary employee exits
• Interpretation of employment policy and practice
• Advising on policy exceptions for unique employee circumstances
• Handling employee impacts arising from business restructuring activities, including M&A, disposals, joint ventures, new market set up

The advisory team works closely with HR business partners and co-ordinates activity with other HR centres of expertise e.g Reward, HR Ops, as well as engaging other internal partners such as legal, compliance, enterprise security in enabling the development of individual employee solutions.

Role Responsibilities:

Working in close partnership with HR Business Partners and reporting to the Regional Head of Employee Relations, you will:

• Proactively provide advice and support on a broad range of employee issues across the EMEA region, including (but not limited to) management of under-performance, involuntary exits (including redundancies) and interpretation of employment policy and practices.
• Be active in directly managing ER matters from initiation through to conclusion, working directly with employees, business managers and leaders in executing procedural steps in line with established procedures
• Partner with HR Business Partners, Legal & Compliance and the Regional Head of ER, to assess and mitigate legal, regulatory and reputational risk, whilst supporting Blackrock’s inclusive culture. 
• Advise on the employee relations impact of organizational change, including workforce reductions and acquisitions, consulting with employee representative bodies as required.
• Support the Regional Head of ER in defining and executing the ER strategy for EMEA and ensuring ER practices and processes support BlackRock’s organizational objectives and culture.
• Use the ER case management system to log matters and use the associated data to gather insights and develop proactive strategies to remediate risk. 
• Interpret, communicate and maintain ER policies, processes and training, ensuring their content is current and fit for purpose.
• Assist in the design and delivery of training to managers, employees and HR partners on relevant ER topics. 
• Partner with other Center of Excellence (COE) teams such as Talent Management, Total Rewards and Talent Acquisition on firm-wide HR projects. 
• Lead, and contribute to, ER-related projects as necessary

Required Knowledge/Experience:

• Solid Employee Relations case management and advisory experience and/or HR Business Partner with ER/Labor Relations experience.
• Strong awareness and curiosity of regional employment laws and regulations, and ability to pragmatically apply this knowledge in a commercial environment.    
• Experience working in a highly matrixed and results oriented environment. Proven ability to navigate through ambiguity.
• Sound understanding and application of relevant EMEA employment laws and regulations.
• Act as an effective thought partner when considering emerging issues and formulate considered and thoughtful responses.
• Excellent consultative, coaching and conflict resolution skills.
• Confidently influence and articulate complex issues to a diverse range of stakeholders, both verbally and in writing.  Experience building consensus on a cross-functional basis.
• Analytical and creative mind-set. Capable of challenging the status quo and flexing solutions to changing demands. Considers the local, regional and global impact of decisions.
• Highly motivated to seek higher levels of performance in self and in others.
• Commitment to the highest standards of excellence and personal integrity.
• Able to independently juggle multiple projects and stakeholders simultaneously.
• Candidates will ideally have experience within the Financial Services sector.
• Experience of working with Workers Councils and/or other organized labor groups 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.

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.