Associate, BlackRock Investment Stewardship: Communications

About this role

About BlackRock Investment Stewardship

At BlackRock, investment stewardship is core to our role as an asset manager and a fiduciary to our clients. As stewards of our clients' assets, we engage with companies and vote at shareholder meetings to promote sound corporate governance and business practices that support companies in delivering durable, risk-adjusted financial returns over time. We are committed to building strong relationships through constructive, ongoing dialogue with the boards and executive management of the companies in which our clients are invested.

BlackRock’s stewardship policies are developed and implemented by two independent, specialist teams, BlackRock Investment Stewardship (BIS) and BlackRock Active Investment Stewardship (BAIS). While the two teams operate independently, their general approach is grounded in widely recognized norms of corporate governance and shareholder rights and responsibilities.

BIS is responsible for engagement and voting in relation to clients’ assets managed by certain index equity portfolio managers. BAIS partners with BlackRock’s active investment teams on company engagement and voting in relation to their holdings.

This role will support the BIS team and will hire at the Associate or Vice President level.

About this team

The BIS Communications team is responsible for the drafting, reviewing, and publishing of all external reports covering BIS’ engagement and proxy voting on behalf of clients, as well as thought leadership materials on a range of corporate governance topics. Additionally, the BIS Communications team produces a range of client-facing and internal materials to promote the global BIS team’s work. BIS Communications partners with other teams across the firm to advance BlackRock’s brand and reputation with key stakeholders

About this role

The BIS Communications team is hiring an Associate to support the function. The Associate role will be based in New York, NY or Washington, D.C., and will report to the Global Head of BIS Communications. This individual will provide support on BIS’ internal and external communication strategy, including contributing to our flagship reports and partnering closely with our Corporate Communications and Legal & Compliance teams in order to effectively contribute to the firm’s narrative. We are looking for an individual who will proactively contribute ideas and is comfortable engaging across functional areas.

Primary responsibilities will include:

• Support the BIS team in implementing strategic communications plans

• Contribute to the drafting, editing, and publication of BIS’ flagship reports, such as the BIS Annual Report and Quarterly Reports

• Prepare and update client-facing and other internal materials as needed

• Act as proof-reader at final stage of key internal materials and external publications

• Facilitate the approval process for key documents, ensuring alignment with compliance standards and consistency with BlackRock's brand messaging across various stakeholder teams

• Upload BIS materials to the public website and the internal BIS SharePoint

• Support the maintenance of the BIS website on an ongoing basis, ensuring they reflect most up-to-date content and data

• Liaise with the BIS Voting Operations and Reporting team in the completion of Requests for Proposals (RFP), Requests for Information (RFI), Due Diligence Questionnaires (DDQs), and other client requests on a weekly basis

• Support senior team members as needed, e.g. performing research activities or preparing remarks and presentations for public speaking opportunities or other external engagements

• Contribute to firm-wide publications and ensure BIS content included in any of these publications is accurate, up-to-date, and properly substantiated

• Monitor third-party research and external publications in relation to stewardship and/or BlackRock’s holdings to contribute to rapid response efforts or the drafting of internal talking points, as needed

Qualifications:

• At least 3 years of experience  in financial services, corporate communications, public relations, journalism, marketing/multimedia content strategy, or related field and a BA degree in these fields is preferred

• Strong personal communication, presentation, organizational and leadership skills

• Strong research and quantitative skills, with the ability to gather, analyze, and synthesize information and data from various sources to support BIS’ content strategy

• Proficient in using Microsoft PowerPoint, Excel, Adobe, and other productivity tools to create, manage, and present data and information effectively

• Demonstrated ability to prioritize, analyze, and resolve complex issues under time pressure

• Proven ability to independently manage and complete tasks from initiation to completion with minimal supervision, demonstrating strong organizational and time management skills

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

• Demonstrated project management skills, with the ability to balance competing interests from stakeholders and effectively navigate the complexities of a large and regulated organization

• Collaborative team player, willing to work in a small cross-functional team within a global organization

The BIS Associate:

• Embraces a collaborative mindset, prioritizing team success and collective goals over personal objectives (a “we” over “me” approach) in alignment with our "One BlackRock" principle of working together to create the best outcomes for our clients

• Has a keen curiosity about corporate governance, and an inherent understanding of the role of a fiduciary

• Has a diligent, focused, and persistent work ethic to implement while balancing multiple tasks and shifting priorities

• Has an organized, self-reliant, and detail-oriented approach to responsibilities

• Operates with initiative, brings a solutions-oriented mindset to situations, and addresses problems in a thoughtful and empathetic manner

For New York, NY Only the salary range for this position is USD$100,000.00 - USD$137,500.00 . Additionally, employees are eligible for an annual discretionary bonus, and benefits including heath care, leave benefits, and retirement benefits. BlackRock operates a pay-for-performance compensation philosophy and your total compensation may vary based on role, location, and firm, department and individual performance.

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 workplace. We are committed to equal employment opportunity to all applicants and existing employees, and we evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, creed, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity/expression), sexual orientation, age, ancestry, physical or mental disability, marital status, political affiliation, religion, citizenship status, genetic information, veteran status, or any other basis protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. View the EEOC’s Know Your Rights poster and its supplement and the pay transparency statement.

BlackRock is committed to full inclusion of all qualified individuals and to providing reasonable accommodations or job modifications for individuals with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation/adjustments are needed throughout the employment process, please email [email protected]. All requests are treated in line with our privacy policy.

BlackRock will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records in a manner consistent with the requirements of the law, including any applicable fair chance law.