Associate, Product Strategy - Active Platform

Global Product Solutions ("GPS") was formed in 2024 with a mission to innovate, curate and commercialize the full breadth of our investment platform for what our clients need, wherever they are. The team is responsible for driving commercial investment priorities across the platform, innovating the next wave of products and solutions, accelerating our iShares adoption, sharpening our commercial focus on active products and helping clients build better portfolios via actionable market and portfolio insights.

Within the GPS organization, EMEA Active Platform Strategy sits at the heart of strategic decision making across all product on the active platform. The team is responsible for ensuring we continue to deliver cutting edge, best-in-class active product solutions to our clients. The team's remit includes: i) innovation across wrappers (e.g. Active ETFs); ii) innovation across strategies (e.g. Sustainability/Transition, Artificial Intelligence, Thematics); iii) product range evolution in anticipation of/response to evolving client dynamics and regulation; and iv): creation of high-quality supporting market intel/analytics to empower effective decision making. Working within the team offers an incredible opportunity to grow understanding of critical components of our business and the industry overall including market-leading active investment capabilities and client dynamics across Europe & APAC

About the role

An Associate within the EMEA Active Platform Strategy team will be responsible for driving strategic projects across cross-functional stakeholder groups towards a clear outcome. The ideal candidate should be able to independently lead workstreams within a broader project and should feel comfortable communicating insights & recommendations to leadership. Additionally, the candidate must be able to analyze & synthesize market insights to deliver actionable recommendations and forward-looking strategy for the product platform. Strong critical thinking skills, an inclination for action, exceptional executive communication, and superb team-work skills are critical attributes to succeed in this role., The EMEA Active Platform Strategy Associate will:

Strategic direction: Partner with team members and stakeholders across the business to set strategic direction for the active product platform

• Run rigorous analysis (quantitative & qualitative), digest complex information, and distil findings into clear and concise insights, implications for the business, and actionable next steps


• Produce high quality presentations which clearly articulate product strategy & recommendations; craft written narratives to help leadership communicate our strategy across the business


• Must have strong attention to detail and high commitment to top-quality work, as well as ability to build confidence amongst stakeholders


Markets intelligence & insights : Navigate quantitative and qualitative data including market, competitor, and BlackRock data to deliver meaningful, action-oriented insights

• Extrapolate meaningful insights on market trends and client buying behaviours by analysing large market data sets; understand BlackRock's relative positioning in the market & strength of performance


• Conduct competitor research, gaining deep understanding of competitor's product platforms, innovation strategy, approach to sustainability, and relative strengths and gaps


• Communicate key market intelligence, including innovation trends, market flows, and regulatory developments, as well as the implications for BlackRock product, serving as a subject-matter expert across partner teams


Project management: Own processes and stakeholder engagement to execute on recommendations derived from strategic projects

• Create a clear project structure, including objectives, action plans, and timelines


• Drive independent workstreams, generating stakeholder alignment on key proposals


• Provide timely and relevant updates to leadership on project progress; identify and escalate potential issues, leading problem-solving sessions, as required


• Deliver high-quality materials with clear recommendations and next steps
  
  Exceptional communication skills with ability to translate complex ideas into clear written and verbal communications


• Strong conceptual and analytical problem-solving skills with ability to deconstruct complex problems and ideas into actionable pieces of analysis


• Strong project management skills and ability to manage own and team's time to deliver analyses and insights at pace


• Strong interpersonal skills; the candidate should be comfortable navigating a matrixed organisation and collaborating with a broad range of stakeholders


• Ownership mindset, strong work ethic, self-starter and inclination towards action and penchant to 'roll up their sleeves' to drive impact


• Understanding of the asset management industry and interest in learning more about markets and BlackRock


• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel & PowerPoint; experience using Morningstar Direct is a plus
  
  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.

To help you stay energized, engaged and inspired, we offer a wide range of employee benefits including: retirement investment and tools designed to help you in building a sound financial future; access to education reimbursement; comprehensive resources to support your physical health and emotional well-being; family support programs; and Flexible Time Off (FTO) so you can relax, recharge and be there for the people you care about.