Senior VP/Director, SMA Asset Operations Team Lead - Alternatives

About this role

Team Overview

BlackRock SMA Solutions helps clients customize portfolios for unique tax, values-alignment, or investment exposures across direct indexing, fixed income, active equity, and multi-asset. We deliver world-class service to all of our clients, from wirehouses and wealth advisors to family offices to endowments and foundations.

About the Role

Are you interested in working in innovative spaces and forging the path for transformative solutions? BlackRock’s SMA Solutions business is establishing a new team dedicated to the execution of SMA Alternative Operations, and they are hiring for the role of team lead. This experienced VP or Director will oversee the day-to-day operations to support SMA-style management of alternative investment portfolios. As this offering grows, the lead would be responsible for not only owning the Day 1 manual processes, but also partnering with internal & external stakeholders to develop & execute on strategic initiatives to better align current processes with future improvements across various areas related to high-impact technology builds to scale operating model. The ideal candidate has demonstrated the ability to oversee a team from a strategic standpoint as well as dynamically jump into more granular responsibilities when needed. As a function that sits within BlackRock SMA Solutions team, the SMA Alternative Operations team strives to cultivate strong client interpersonal skills with a keen focus on the end client experience. We are business partners who play an active and transparent role in delivering an outstanding client experience on behalf of the firm.

Responsibilities

•Recruit and hire a newly formed team supporting a new industry leading product – with a focus on Private Investments

•Help design the operating model and process flows to help launch the new product offering

•Identify, design & drive scale and automation opportunities as product expands in the market

• Work closely with portfolio managers, clients, consultants, custodians, FAs and transition managers as well as key internal partners to ensure the effective coordination of operations

• Ensure continuous process optimization and improvements are in place for a best controlled, risk handled and most cost-efficient operations service team. Must be able set guidance, solve problems, and navigate trade-offs

•Build strong relationships across the organization by listening closely to our internal partners (Sales, Portfolio Managers etc.) and working to deliver for the firm and our clients. Collaborate closely with senior management in committee meetings

• Maintain awareness of industry changes in alternative investments and such impact on SMA Solutions, Blackrock and our clients. Provide strategic support for industry-wide changes that involve proper trade allocations and settlements.

• Confidently escalate identified risks and work to clear exceptions, with a focus on scalability.

• Willingness to acquire a deep functional understanding of U.S. Wealth Advisory tools & processes while understanding the lifecycle for alternative investments.

•Possess a solutions-oriented mindset and challenge the status quo.

Requirements

• 5-10 years of experience in alternative investment operations

•  Proven ability to deliver scaled operational transformations, process/product development and/or project leadership

• Experience in a variety of securities operations & products will be a differentiator, especially SMA and Private Investments

•  Minimum of 8+ years management experience.

•  Proven ability to build strong relationships with senior leadership, key clients, and internal/external stakeholders.

•  Ability to multi-task and deliver on a variety of initiatives

•  Experience within a team environment, specifically with sharing responsibilities. 

• Proactive communication style, with a service philosophy and risk mitigation mentality.

•  Ability to navigate Aladdin

•   Preference for Python and SQL experience

•   Strong technical, problem solving, and analytical skills are essential

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 cur