Head of Research, Multi Asset (MD) recruitment
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.
Overview:
The Blackrock Multi-Asset Client Solutions Group (BMACS) is responsible for developing and implementing solutions to investor problems employing Blackrock’s broad product based capabilities. BMACS encompasses the management of multi-asset portfolios across the globe. Through the selection and management of instruments we create value for our clients, helping them to achieve their investment goals.
We are looking for a multi-asset head of research to join our market-leading Active Asset Allocations team. The successful candidate will be responsible for the overall research process which is driven from a top-down perspective and applied to a broad book of business, covering institutional and retail products including benchmark-aware and absolute return strategies. The role involves working closely with the portfolio managers within BMACS as well as investment research teams within the broader BlackRock.
The role holder requires a deep knowledge and experience of developing and running a robust research process, and should have expertise in the field of asset allocation, as well as more in-depth knowledge of specific areas of the markets. As such, they should have a proven track record in delivering high quality research ideas, from initial idea generation through to implementation, including the economic, analytical and statistical testing required to verify these ideas. They should also have a demonstrable ability to motivate, manage, and develop a research team.
Responsibilities Include:
- Take ownership of the research process for Active Asset Allocations team within BMACS; to maintain and develop a process that is judged by internal and external customers and observers to be of the highest quality
- Ensure consistency of approach and research output across asset and sub-asset classes
- Take a lead role in specific areas of asset allocation research
- Generate ideas for investment strategies and research implementation methods to help ensure that value is added in client portfolios
- Liaise with portfolio management teams across BlackRock in order to leverage the unparalleled breadth and depth of information and insight available within the company
- Provide leadership for junior members of the team to promote research excellence and provide top-quality independent research to portfolio managers
Key Skills Required:
- Ability to lead a team across regions
- Proven insight into macroeconomics and its impact on a broad range of asset classes
- Proven ability to generate investment ideas based on sound economic reasoning and thorough research
- Comfortable embracing both fundamental and quantitative research methods
- An ability to think widely (beyond regions and current market environments) when assessing research ideas
- Strong oral and written communication skills that enable complex ideas to be readily understood by fellow team members, other areas of BlackRock, and clients
- Curiosity to explore new ideas and interact with other teams within BMACS and across the wider firm
- Degree or higher level education in a numerate subject
- Team player coupled with a sense of ownership and accountability
- Ability to embrace and effect change
- Be seen as a strong and credible leader of BMACS’ research process
- Additional Skills of Value:
- CFA or similar professional qualification, or further degree in relevant subject.
- Strong modelling skills
- Good presentational skills