ETF Lawyer, VP
BlackRock is one of the world?s preeminent asset management firms and a premier provider of global investment management, risk management and advisory services to institutional, intermediary and individual investors around the world. BlackRock offers a range of solutions ? from rigorous fundamental and quantitative active management approaches aimed at maximizing outperformance to highly efficient indexing strategies designed to gain broad exposure to the world?s capital markets. Our clients can access our investment solutions through a variety of product structures, including individual and institutional separate accounts, mutual funds and other pooled investment vehicles, and the industry-leading iShares® ETFs.
Job Purpose/Background:
The role will involve the provision of legal support in and from Switzerland for the EMEA (Europe, Middle East Africa) region to the traditional fund business including the ETF business and include a broad range of drafting and advising in respect of the establishment, maintenance and distribution, of a variety of fund types in multiple jurisdictions, the implementation of regulatory developments as these impact the businesses supported and service provider contracts to support the products. Legal support will also increase to address BlackRock?s mounting business objectives within Switzerland with regard to the envisaged local management company license.
General commercial legal work and specific project work impacting the relevant businesses will also be involved. The candidate will work with a team of (currently) 5 lawyers in London (plus two lawyers in Zurich, of which this position comprises one) who form part of a broader team of funds-focused lawyers within the EMEA Legal Compliance department qualified lawyers, compliance professionals and administrative staff.
The individual will be expected to work with a high degree of autonomy and, once familiar with the BlackRock businesses? structures, operating models and documentation, to work with minimum levels of supervision/review of work produced. Whilst the ?learning curve? will be steep, the candidate will be expected to take on a complete workload as soon as possible after joining and partner closely with the relevant businesses they support. The ability to start as soon as possible would also be advantageous.
Key Responsibilities:
- Draft and assist with service provider agreements and fund documentation for both Swiss domiciled and other non-UCITS and UCITS funds
- Identify, address and manage legal risk arising within the respective businesses supported, and BlackRock more generally;
- Provide proactive legal support to the EMEA businesses supported (sales, marketing, product and strategy) and practical guidance concerning related activities across the EU and Switzerland;
- Contractual negotiation and documentation, providing strategic advice on legal and regulatory parameters for European product launches and sales and marketing initiatives;
- Liaison with external legal counsel where appropriate on areas of law that impact the business concerned;
- Assisting on ad hoc projects (EMEA or firm-wide);
- The identification, analysis, assessment and reporting of key legal risk areas pertaining to the funds;
- Working closely with, and coordinating, other members of the EMEA and US Legal teams;
- Manage and document internal know-how and other material for ease of access by colleagues and successors;
- Develop and actively manage internal client relationships within the EMEA businesses supported (crucial), other internal stakeholders and with external advisors;
- Report to the boards of relevant fund companies from time to time on specific initiatives requiring board approval.
- Provide appropriate training to LC colleagues and internal clients.
Development Value:
The candidate will gain extensive and significant knowledge and experience of a variety of fund types across multiple jurisdictions, multiple business and other support areas, develop and enhance their skills in drafting, fund structuring, advising and stakeholder relationship management and work with a wide variety of subject matter experts in the businesses and other support functions in BlackRock.
Knowledge/Experience:
- Relevant post qualification experience gained in-house in financial services and investment products in Europe;
- 4 to 8 years? relevant post qualification experience;
- Technical expertise and experience in investment management and funds (Switzerland and EU);
Skills/Qualifications:
- Solicitor qualified in Switzerland or an EU jurisdiction (including Germany).
Competencies:
- Persuasive and influential on a high-performing internal client base in the provision of legal advice;
- Ability to actively manage client expectations;
- Commercial outlook, motivated, personable and attention to detail;
- Ability to clarify tasks and requirements, organise time and manage workload to ensure deadlines are met;
- Ability to manage multiple tasks concurrently;
- Ability to communicate effectively at all levels of the firm in verbal and written form;
- Seeks to understand the businesses, products and processes which are supported;
- Develops solutions to problems, checking where appropriate with senior lawyers;
- Takes ownership of problems/requirements and ensures they are resolved to meet objectives;
- Rejects shortcuts that could compromise quality of service and follows internal policies and procedures.
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