Head of Institutional Relations and Stewardship Policy

About this role

The Head of Institutional Relations and Stewardship Policy will work closely with BlackRock Investment Stewardship (BIS) Executive Committee members to oversee and shape BIS’ engagement priorities and voting policies globally and regionally.

In partnership with Government Affairs and Public Policy (GAPP), which develops the strategy for policy engagement, as well as Legal and Compliance and Corporate Communications teams the person will develop and represent BlackRock’s positions on stewardship-related policy matters.

About BlackRock Investment Stewardship

As part of our fiduciary duty to our clients, we consider it one of our responsibilities to promote sound corporate governance at investee companies as an informed, engaged shareholder on their behalf. At BlackRock, this is the responsibility of the BIS team. In our experience, sound governance is critical to the success of a company, the protection of investors’ interests, and long-term financial value creation. We take a constructive, long-term approach with companies and seek to understand how they are managing the drivers of risk and financial value creation in their business models. We have observed that well-managed companies will effectively evaluate and address risks and opportunities relevant to their businesses, which supports durable, long-term financial value creation.

In support of our stewardship program with companies, we actively engage with other parties with a keen interest in corporate governance and shareholder rights. BIS prioritizes opportunities to engage with the investment stewardship ecosystem that enable the business to connect with clients, corporate directors, senior members of management teams. In addition, together with BlackRock’s GAPP and Sustainable and Transition Solutions (STS) teams, BIS engages with policymakers, and industry stakeholders. BIS also provides subject matter expertise to GAPP, which engages with the policymaking process to serve as a resource and provide our perspectives with a focus on promoting well-functioning capital markets.

Key responsibilities

• Oversee and shape BIS’ engagement priorities and voting policies globally and in coordination with the regions.
• Define BlackRock’s position on key stewardship issues, including those related to sustainability, that impact our clients as investors and our ability to fulfil our stewardship commitments to them.  
• Represent BIS in engagement with and presentations to policymakers, regulators industry bodies, and clients on key stewardship issues along with GAPP.   
• Engage with industry bodies and clients to represent BIS’ views on stewardship.
• Identify and research issues that may impact the stewardship ecosystem and BIS’ stewardship work on behalf of clients. 
• Contribute positions to GAPP’s wider BlackRock public policy formulation and collaborate with partners to draft and review comment letters, consultation responses, thought pieces and BIS policies on emerging issues.
• Contribute to briefings and presentation materials for engagement by BlackRock leadership and GAPP with policymakers, regulators, and other stakeholders involved in shaping industry standards.
• Build and maintain networks of contacts relevant to stewardship both within BlackRock and externally with relevant stakeholders, including academics, NGOs and associations. 
• Represent BIS on relevant industry working groups and standing committees, as necessary.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and, ideally, a relevant post graduate qualification.
• 10+ years of work experience in financial services or a related field.
• Expertise in widely recognized corporate governance, shareholder rights and stewardship regulations and codes of best practice.
• Experience in working with external stakeholders (policymakers, regulators, industry bodies, clients) to represent the views of the firm.
• Exceptional communication skills, both oral and written. Must be able to present complex concepts in a concise and understandable way.
• Successful track record in working in cross-functional environments and demonstrated ability to work within and across teams to build consensus.
• Ability to clearly articulate ideas to senior internal and external audiences, including leaders within the firm, standards setters, clients, and third-party organizations.
• Strong research and writing skills; strategic and creative thinking aptitude.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with multiple demands on your time and tight deadlines.
• Strong content creation skills in PowerPoint, Excel, and Word.
• Good judgment and impeccable ethics; desire to succeed in a demanding, innovative, entrepreneurial environment.
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