Director, State Government Affairs

About this role

The Director of State Government Affairs will lead BlackRock’s advocacy at the state and local level in the US. This individual will be responsible for developing, prioritizing, tracking, and communicating BlackRock’s public policy priorities at the state and local level. 

About the Government Affairs & Public Policy Group

BlackRock’s Government Affairs and Public Policy Group supports the creation of regulatory regimes that increase financial market transparency, protect investors, and facilitate responsible growth of capital markets, while preserving consumer choice and properly balancing benefits versus implementation costs.

The group was established in 2009 to ensure that BlackRock, as the voice of investors, could constructively contribute to global public policy debates that promote an optimal global market ecosystem. Our mission is to be the voice of investors, partnering with businesses across BlackRock to deliver concrete policy results that enhance market functioning and advance BlackRock’s global growth objectives. Our ability to provide substantive, reliable and balanced analysis on a broad range of issues has cemented our reputation as a trusted and constructive resource to policymakers. We engage with policymakers via multiple channels, including through thought leadership papers, letters and consultations, bilateral meetings, conferences, and advocacy through industry bodies.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead advocacy and engagement with policymakers, regulators, trade associations, consultants, coalitions, and clients on key issues, representing BlackRock’s views.
• Identify and monitor key US public policy issues that impact investors at the state and local level.
• Work closely with internal stakeholders to understand the interests of BlackRock and our clients as they relate to state-level government relations developments; involve subject matter experts as appropriate; assist with the development and management of internal working groups.
• Provide expert level information on priority issues with key stakeholders across External Affairs and other parts of the firm.
• Define BlackRock’s position and engagement strategy on key issues, collaborating closely with Legal & Compliance and other teams to ensure alignment of views.
• Work closely with client teams to understand client needs at the state level.
• Provide technical recommendations on state and local legislative and regulatory proposals.
• Take initiative to identify/implement engagement and response strategies across states.
• Prepare briefing and presentation materials for engagement with policymakers, regulators, and clients in order to develop deep and enduring relationships.
• Write comment letters to regulators and public policy position papers.
• Build and maintain networks of contacts both within BlackRock and externally with state level policy makers.

Desired Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required, JD from a nationally recognized law school preferred.
• 7-10+ years of work experience in financial policy, government relations at a financial services firm, or financial regulation at a law firm. State-level experience preferred. 
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written. Must be able to present complex concepts in a concise and understandable way.
• Strong political acumen, thorough understanding of state-level public policy, and ability to be effective with members of both political parties.
• Strong skills in PowerPoint, Excel, and Word.
• Strong research and writing skills; strategic and creative thinking aptitude.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with multiple ongoing deliverables and tight deadlines.
• Ability to clearly articulate ideas to senior internal and external audiences, including leaders within the firm, outside counsel, clients, and third-party organizations.
• Excellent collaboration and teambuilding skills.
• Good judgment and impeccable ethics; desire to succeed in a demanding, innovative, entrepreneurial environment.
• Exceptional organizational skills and keen attention to detail.
• Willingness to travel within the US.

 

For New York City only: The salary range for this position is $199,500 - $240,000. 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, compre