Risk & Control Lead, VP

About this role

Client Core COO – Risk & Control Lead (Vice President)

Business Unit Overview:

The EMEA Client Business represents ~$2,200bn AUM and generates +$4.4bn of annual revenue which translates to 25% of BlackRock’s total AUM and 27% of BlackRock’s total annual revenue.

The EMEA Client Business consists of ~550 members of staff, covering clients in 19 countries, comprised of Sales & Relationship Management functions, Business Development, Marketing, Country / Regional Management functions. These functions are supported by a central Core COO function.

The Core COO team works with the functions within the EMEA Client Business and other internal partners (including Compliance, Finance, Risk and technology teams) to deliver a robust business governance platform, manage the region’s financials and maximize BlackRock’s commercial impact within the EMEA Region. 

Department Overview:

The Core COO team fulfils a crucial role in the effective operation of the EMEA Client Business. The team consists of 21 FTE based in London and Budapest who are accountable for execution in six key pillars:

• Business Management & Oversight: Driving governance, resource & financial management, risk management and oversight of sales conduct to support compliant revenue growth
• Change: Implementation of regulatory, operating model and client projects
• Sales Training: Developing and delivering a comprehensive client business training programme focused on regulatory change, conduct and product/service updates
• Sales Content: Manages internal content distribution and supporting technology platforms across the EII, Wealth and Insti businesses in EMEA
• Reporting & Automation: Delivery of tactical client reporting in support of client teams and automation of sales processes
• Business Intelligence: Centralised management of sales management information

The team has a broad remit and works with teams across the region and globe to help the EMEA client business execute on BlackRock’s mission. Key partners outside of sales include, Regional Exec, BPI, Legal and Compliance, Tech & Ops, EII, Investments, APG, HR, FP&A and Finance.

Job Purpose/Background:

This role will work across all pillars of the Core COO team, with responsibility for supporting the operating framework for EMEA Client Business, including on areas related to risk, legal & compliance, audit and technology. The Risk & Control Lead will report to the Head of Business Management & Oversight.

The role holder will have experience of leading small to medium sized teams and be able to demonstrate a detailed approach to driving continuous service and process improvement and encouraging a robust risk, control and governance environment.

The candidate will know how to navigate a global and highly matrixed organization with an ability to effectively prioritise multiple, sometimes contending priorities without compromising on quality of execution.

In addition, key responsibilities also include:

• Maintain the general operating framework for the EMEA Client Business including its Operating Manual, complete regular certifications, conduct reviews of Aladdin permissions, perform regular folder clean-ups, support onboarding of new joiners, quarterly voice recording reconciliations, etc
• Coordinate business approval / escalation processes including pricing requests, shareclass registrations/launches, non-standard trading & onboarding items, connecting with stakeholders across strategy, global investment teams, GPG and Sales ExCo’s where necessary
• Ownership of operating events & complaints frameworks, escalation protocols and oversight as well as assisting to manage the outcomes, in conjunction with the client business and partner teams
• Coordinate the Risk & Control Self-Assessment (RCSA) and Conflicts of Interest (CoI) processes
• Liaise with L&C where appropriate e.g. resolving Core Compliance queries/issues, responding to novel issues/questions, taking responsibility for appropriate attestations, etc.
• When applicable, respond to Internal Audits and Compliance Testing programs along with executing their remediation plans
• Own and regularly review and refresh the business continuity plans (BCP) for the business
• Building strong rapport with Sales to help resolve sophisticated problems whilst demonstrating commercial awareness
• Engaging with the leaders of the EMEA client business to drive key initiatives and work closely with internal partners including Investment teams, Compliance, Finance, Marketing, Operations, and Platform Innovation
• Ensure controls are appropriately updated in operations process flows and lead process reengineering projects.