Director - Head of Aladdin Client Engagement for Middle East & Africa.

Job Description

About this role

Business Unit Overview:

BlackRock Aladdin business is uniquely positioned to address the industry’s investment management and financial technology demands. The various business departments within Aladdin entity are focused on providing clients with highly scalable end to end investment management solutions for both Public and Private markets. The Aladdin Client Business (ACB) entity is effectively responsible to growth the Aladdin business with our existing external clients, implement our solutions and manage the relationship & services across the lifetime of our clients.

The role sits within our Client Engagement team that is responsible to expand our footprint withing our existing client base as well as minimize churn and provide best in class user experience on our technologies: user adoption, value delivery and client satisfactions are key objectives for our teams.

The successful candidate will be an integral part of the Client Engagement team and will assume a Client Relationship Manager position, servicing our clients in Middle East & Africa across a range of activities including relationship management, business development, churn prevention and value delivery. The candidate must have a solid finger pulse of the client’s entire organization and be imbedded into the client’s key Decision Makers and Business leaders to drive adoption and growth. BlackRock as a firm expects significant growth in the Middle East region and the successful candidate will be an integral part of the local leaders who are going to make this possible.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and establish strong personal relationships with clients and represent all of BlackRock in a compelling fashion.
• Liaise with the client's key stakeholders in Middle East & Africa and provide strong leadership for the Aladdin relationship. Specifically tasked to build senior connectivity within our client base.
• Develop a strong working relationship with clients to promote adoption of our technologies, including developing training and marketing materials for client use.
• Develop strong relationships with all groups within BlackRock Aladdin and BlackRock to ensure an excellent client experience and convey client requirements to product teams as necessary.
  • Work with local Business Development, implementation, and asset management teams to build an integrated single client experience.
  • Coordinate with our Support organization located in iHubs and our Product Management & Engineering organization to provide best service to clients.
• This role will be part of the Senior Leadership team for the region.
• Leadership and management skills to be the cultural flag-bearer with the ability to inspire people.
• Able to coach up ‘star’ mid-level managers on his / her team to higher levels of senior client engagement, i.e. lead by example: show people how to build and maintain relationships, then drive them to do it.
• Able to re-invent his / her team over time, via great new hires or upgrading existing talent.
• In charge of client management in the Middles East & Africa region = 20+ clients across Public & Private asset classes, Total current ACV: $15mi.
• Clients are large SWF and medium to large asset managers.
• She/he will manage relationship with clients with 3 major objectives:
  • Expand footprint (harvesting)
  • Prevent revenue attrition (churn)
  • Ensure client satisfaction (health score)
• Management of a local team in Dubai that will grow over time; hiring and nurturing talents is key for the role.
• Regular travel in the region is required.

Skills and Qualifications:

The ideal candidate will possess some combination of all the following:

• Fluent in English, Arabic is a plus.
• 10 years + in the Fintech industry (as a client, in a consulting company, with a technology provider)
• Uncovers and meets the need of external clients; builds strong working partnerships with clients and internal organization; acts with urgency and works hard to address client demands; effectively manages clients’ expectations and delivers value-added service; Capable to manage client relationship from tactical/operational to strategic.
• Deep knowledge of capital markets – both public and private; she/he understands the business, financial and technical terminology, including how organizations operate, compete, profit and grow. Keeps abreast of developments in own field and considers how this knowledge can be applied.
• Technologically “aware” to be conversant with clients and visualize opportunities. Technology knowledge is important, but a deep skillset is not necessary.
• Demonstrated experience successfully leading strategic initiatives within a global organization.
• Leads individuals and team to achieve objectives and drive results; inspires and motivates people to the highest levels of performance. Is accessible, engaged and a positive force for change. Provides timely and actionable feedback.
• Committed to gaining relevant knowledge, skills and experience in commercial markets; utilizes market expertise and savvy to leverage this role; stays passionate about the business and maintains current knowledge about competitor products and services.
• Strong project management and coordination skills
• Strong problem solving/analytical thinking.
• Superior communication and presentation skills, with the ability to convey complex concepts simply and clearly to clients. Capable of connecting with multiple audiences and articulating lines of reasoning
• Ability to operate as a self-starter, operating with limited guidance in a highly matrixed organization.
• Enjoys a fast-paced, high-intensity environment; able to manage multiple priorities.
• Proven track record in managing clients (harvesting, churn, client sat)
• Exposure to major clients the region; solid existing network within the industry regionally with COO, CIO, CTO, CRO and “head of” business leaders
• Comfortable working diverse and multi-cultural environment
• Used to manage her/his business and report with data & analytics.

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.