Global Investment Operations,Trading Operations, Associate

About this role

Elevate your career by joining the world's largest asset manager! Would you thrive in an environment that fosters positive relationships and recognizes outstanding performance? We know how meaningful it is to feel valued every single day and be recognized for your contribution. At BlackRock, we strive to empower our employees and effectively engage your involvement in our success. With over $10 trillion of assets, we have a significant responsibility: our technology and services empower millions of investors to save for retirement, pay for college, buy a home, and improve their financial well-being.

Blackrock is recruiting for an associate in our Tokyo office in the Transaction Management team. Our Global Transaction Management team has primary operating centers in Edinburgh (UK), Delaware (US), Gurgaon (India) and Singapore. The team is responsible for the post execution process across products including Equities, Fixed Income, FX, Derivatives and Money Markets. As an integral part of the broader Global Investment Operations group, Transaction Management works closely with partners in Securities Lending, Corporate Actions and Cash & Asset Reconciliations. Our vision is to become a data driven, volume agnostic, commercially agile middle office platform.

The Transaction Management role involves working closely with a cross section of internal partners including, Trading Desk, Portfolio Managers and other key partners to accurately and effectively manage transactions. You will be act as a liaison with BlackRock’s Global Custodian and Broker network with the target of seamless trade settlement.

Role Responsibility

This is a GIO cross functional role that carries Transaction Management, Collateral Management, and Derivative Documentation responsibilities.

Transaction Management (TM)

• Follow established procedures and perform appropriate controls (such as cash, security and collateral reconciliations), while exercising good judgment in managing risk and addressing blocking issues

• Confirmations, Settlements of trades and affirmation of Derivatives trades in Aladdin and in 3rd party system such as MarkitWire

• Work with Brokers/Clearers to identify all unconfirmed trades and work towards resolution of trade disputes

• Work with Custodians (including Japanese Trust Banks), Brokers to facilitate settlement pre-matching and follow-up on failing trades

• Develop expertise in local market practices through experience, training, classes and outside research, to ensure best of class service

• Develop a deep understanding of GIO functional processes, BLK operating platform, and market infrastructure with focus on counterparty and provider touch points

• Be able to connect the dots of what different teams in BLK are doing

• Drive market change to deliver scale and enable us to deliver a reliable and responsive service experience to our functional partners and clients

• Support the continued evolution of the Aladdin platform and global process model. Participate in projects as they relate to broader business product and system development, as well as process re-design and improvement. E.g., processes unique to the Japanese market

• Assist on-boarding team to launch new funds by working with both internal and external partners

Collateral Management/Derivative Operations (CM)

• Gain a comprehensive understanding of BlackRock’s operational processes and systems relating to Derivative Operations

• Responsible for monitoring and responding to daily queries from external service providers including custodians, accounting agents, trust banks and vendors

• Collaborate with key constituents, internally and externally, to ensure a globally consistent and tightly controlled environment

• Scope of responsibilities includes oversight of derivative servicing activity; i.e. Clearing (Exchange Traded Derivatives & Cleared OTC), OTC Collateral Management

• Participate & help drive the design and implementation of the BlackRock’s derivative operations model on the Aladdin platform

• Support and implement platform changes resulting from regulatory rule changes in the APAC region

Derivative Documentation (DD)

• Play a role in maintaining and handling relationships with our APAC derivative documentation and on-boarding teams to facilitate Japan trust bank account specific derivative documentation requirements (ex. ISDA, MSFTA, Clearing Broker Agreements, etc)

• Run internal and external service provider relationships to ensure successful delivery of contracted services, proactively address and resolve issues – include answering day to day queries

• Centrally responsible for updating agreement amendments as part of the on-boarding of accounts to ISDA master agreements

• Partner with our Trust Banks and clearing brokers to open new Clearing agreements

• When required, be the Derivative Documentation representative for external parties including clients, auditors and consultants

Skills and Preferred Qualifications:

• Minimum of 2-3 years of experience in the financial industry, such as Investment Banking, Investment Management, or Trust Bank.

• Japanese and English language proficiency a must 

• Understanding on Japan market and preferred to have experience looking after Japan domestic clients and trust banks 

• Familiarity with financial markets and related instruments, such as Equities, Fixed Income, FX Derivatives, Exchange Traded Futures, swaps, and collateral.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and an interest in acquiring new skills 

• Problem solving abilities, and analytical skills to identify the issue and propose solutions 

• A strong emphasis on time management to meet critical deadlines in addition to attention to detail, being diligent, and capable of multitasking and being flexible 

• Strong control / risk mitigation attitude; ability to apply judgement as to when to raise issues 

• Ability to work well in a team, helping out each other as needed in a dynamic and rapid changing environment 

• Develop critical internal relationships with the Trading teams, Portfolio Managers, Relationship Managers, Compliance and Legal, and Operations teams 

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.