External Relationship Management - Financial Institutions Group (FIG), Associate, Japan

Job Description

About this role

The Financial Institutions Group (FIG) is responsible for creating and maintaining relationships with BlackRock’s global financial institutions clients which include insurance companies, banks, and other financial firms. We pride ourselves on creating and delivering bespoke investment solutions, advisory, and analysis to our sophisticated client base. The group is the industry's largest asset manager of insurance company assets, and our insurance practice is a strategic focus of the firm. Global FIG team manages close to US$605bn of assets on behalf of c.500 insurance clients globally.

As an Associate of the FIG team, you will work as part of a team of client facing insurance specialists with a deep understanding of industry trends, client needs, and BlackRock’s capabilities across investment management, risk, and advisory. You will be a key point of contact for clients; supporting to design transformational tailormade solutions which meet insurance specific needs, and work across various internal partner teams globally with the goal of delivering the firm to our institutional client segment.

Key Responsibilities:

The role entails 1) relationship management and 2) new business development to execute on BlackRock’s ambitious Japan Insurance segment growth strategy. This role will report to Head of FIG Japan.

Relationship Management and Servicing

• Facilitate client’s portfolios and investments service requirements.
• Assist client’s queries in a timely and professional manner, answering client’s queries on product / investment related matters efficiently and accurately, and understanding each client’s unique demands.
• Collaborate closely with internal stakeholders and partners to drive superior client outcome. This involves working closely with partners (including but not limited to investment teams, contracting, legal & compliance, operations) across the platform through the lifecycle of mandates that we manage on behalf of our clients from pre to post onboarding.
• Utilize BlackRock’s Aladdin tools to regularly monitor mandates with portfolio performance at risk, follow up with clients proactively. and propose alternate strategies to ensure delivery of positive outcome.

Business Development

• Demonstrate proficiency in utilizing internal and public sources to gain insights into the market, client, industry, and competitors.
• Support the team in our business development efforts especially in whole portfolio solutions and in private markets. Learn fundamentals of insurance financial documents, regulatory and accounting trends, and design customized solutions in collaboration with internal partner teams.
• Partner with BlackRock’s Insurance Solutions and investment teams to develop customized solutions to respond to client’s needs.

Key Skills and Qualifications:

• Outcome-oriented professional with minimum 3 years of proven experience, preferably gained from globally focused financial (multi product asset & wealth management or banking), insurance or consulting firm. Understanding of insurance specialist knowledge is also preferred (e.g., Japan ICS, GAAP).
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills; ability to build influential relationships both internally and externally.
• Ability to take on challenging situations, exercise sensible judgment and handle complex client requirements through teamwork.
• Local securities license required.
• Basic understanding of fixed income, equity and alternative markets and instruments.
• proficiency in Microsoft Office (in particular proficiency in Excel & Powerpoint) as a strong preference.
• Proficiency in both written and spoken English and Japanese.

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.