BlackRock Investment Stewardship (BIS), Corporate Governance Operations, Associate, Japan

About this role

The Associate– BlackRock Investment Stewardship (BIS) will work for the Global Operations team, and be based in Japan. The role reports to the Head of Operations with a dotted reporting line to the Head of BIS Japan. BIS is looking for a professional to provide day to day operational, business management and project support to the Japan and global BIS community and other stakeholders across the firm for any activities related to proxy voting, company engagements and client reporting. Day to day support entails understanding the proxy voting business process and associated platform and plumbing, mutual fund and ETF administration and custody operations, as well as understanding the Aladdin ecosystem around portfolio structure and positions. Business management activities range from vendor management, recertifications, audits and maintaining comprehensive documentation of core business processes and protocols. Projects can range from smaller, short term tasks to larger more complex assignments and will require working closely with the BIS analysts globally, as well as with key business partners across the firm.

Responsibilities:

• Work in team setting performing core duties related to proxy voting and company engagement operations support as well as business management activities and longer term projects

• Maintain comprehensive documentation on key processes and procedures related to proxy voting and engagements

• Liaise with primary vendors including maintaining enhancement lists, contract renewals and annual due diligence activities

• Daily support of proxy voting operations, including; , liaising with custodians and trust banks, addressing internal reporting requests, monitoring voting activity etc.

• Support the production of client reporting for Japanese clients and the broader APAC region

• Partner with the BIS Analytics team to create internal reporting of voting, engagement and client inquiry statistics, leveraging SQL databases and Aladdin data models

• Provide data and reporting support to support BIS communications function for both ad-hoc requests as well as cyclical reporting done on a quarterly and annual basis

• Run reconciliations between Aladdin and 3rd party vote execution platform to ensure data integrity across multiple systems

• Provide high quality client service to BIS analysts globally to address inquiries, perform controls, and resolve problems quickly particularly during proxy voting season

• Learn and be able to teach colleagues about the intricacies and interconnectivities of the Aladdin® end to end investment platform, including front-end tools that can be leveraged to access data as well as the vast underlying database structure that stores critical information such as portfolio holdings, security details, client attributes including proxy voting flags and portfolio exposures/AUM

• Develop expertise in third party ISS ProxyExchange platform and how it interfaces with Aladdin and other external parties

• Initiate and drive platform and process innovations to better support internal operational workflows, management reports and client requests, working closely with Business Operations functions including fund administration and client reporting and technology teams including BlackRock Solutions and the Aladdin Product Group to spec and build solutions

The person in this role will be/will have:

• An undergraduate with a degree in finance, economics, accounting, business, communications, technology or technical disciplines such as Computer Science, Information Systems, or Engineering

• Strong SQL and/or Python proficiency

• Knowledge of proxy voting operations, associated regulations and corporate governance a strong plus

• Excellent analytical skills with very strong attention to detail

• The ability to build and maintain successful relationships with colleagues across the firm and with external parties

• The ability to analyse and resolve complex problems under time pressure

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills combined with agile critical thinking and a problem solving mindset, with the ability to collaborate with both technical and non-technical personnel

• Details focused and persistent to see things through to completion whilst managing multiple tasks and changing priorities

• Extensive knowledge of Excel and strong knowledge of the entire MS Office suite

• Experience in data analysis, consolidation and creating detailed reports, charts and tables a strong plus

• Fluency in Japanese and English

Our benefits

To help you stay energized, engaged and inspired, we offer a wide range of benefits including a strong retirement plan, tuition reimbursement, comprehensive healthcare, support for working parents 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, family status, gender identity, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation and other protected attributes at law.