Vice President, Product Strategist - Global Fixed Income

Job description

About this role

About Fixed Income:

The Fixed Income team provides a range of fixed income products that suit different client needs for risk and return. Within Fixed Income, there are two active investment processes: fundamental business uses fundamental investment styles and strategies to create alpha for clients; and the model-driven business uses advanced quantitative strategies to create alpha for clients. This role is in the fundamental fixed income team.

The Product Strategy (PS) team is tasked with representing the investment platform and specific strategies with external clients such as investment consultants, existing clients, and prospects, which encompasses both pitching for new money, as well as servicing and defending existing assets. The PS team also contribute to the fixed income specific thought leadership for clients.

The Product Strategy team also represent the investment platform in internal forums with our distribution partners, such as iShares and Wealth (iSW), the Institutional Client Business (ICB), and Global Consultant Relations (GCR), who are responsible for managing and growing BlackRock’s client relationships, as well as Global Product Solutions (GPS).

Job Purpose/Background:

BlackRock’s EMEA Global Fixed Income platform is looking for a Vice President level product strategist based in London. The individual will provide a link between investment teams and all client groups, providing insights on the Fundamental Fixed Income product platform with a particular focus on Investment Grade credit across short duration, benchmark-aware, and unconstrained credit strategies and securitized assets.

The successful candidate will possess strong knowledge of fixed income instruments, markets, and portfolio management. They will also have excellent communication skills and the ability to form trusted relationships internally and externally. An ability to work collaboratively across the organisation is crucial.

Key Responsibilities:

• Contribute to the team’s growth and defence of assets under management
• Collaborate closely with portfolio managers, researchers, and other product strategists to cultivate a deep understanding of our investment approach, portfolios and performance.
• Represent the Fixed Income product range to internal and external stakeholders, both independently and alongside portfolio managers and strategists.
• Identify and convey USPs of BlackRock’s Fixed Income products.
• Discuss market developments and active views of the portfolio management team, relating to portfolio positioning and performance.
• Position products within a client’s whole portfolio, tailoring messaging as required across product types and client archetypes.
• Partner with sales teams and Global Product Solutions (GPS) to drive product positioning, strategy, and innovation.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of industry trends, customer needs, and competitive landscape to inform product strategy decisions and drive the product roadmap.
• Analyze and solve complex problems related to product strategy.
• Support sales and marketing activities, aiding and supervising junior strategists in producing pitch books, RFPs, and market commentaries.
• Complete a wide variety of ad hoc client requests and strive to deliver a superior level of client service.
• Lead on the creation of thought leadership, positioning BlackRock’s capabilities, and products.
• Proactive approach to solving clients’ investment-related, business, and operational issues by serving as the liaison between the investment team and all other areas of BlackRock (marketing, sales, compliance, legal, etc.).

Knowledge/Experience Required:

• Minimum 6+ years relevant financial markets experience essential
• Experience in a client facing role, good presentation skills
• Passion for, and knowledge of fixed income markets
• Fluency in written and spoken English essential
• Preference for another European language to a business standard
• Strong knowledge of Excel and PowerPoint essential, with proficiency in programming languages preferred (ideally Python)
• Knowledge of Aladdin and Bloomberg useful

Skills/Qualifications:

A successful candidate will have the following attributes:

• CFA or similar industry qualification is beneficial
• Proactive individual with a desire to learn and take on responsibility
• Strong written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills to clearly articulate fixed income concepts, ideas, and processes to internal and external clients
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to quickly form meaningful working partnerships
• Teamwork oriented with proven organisational skills and ability to manage multiple objectives simultaneously
• Strong understanding of the asset management industry and capital markets, particularly in fixed income
• Strong knowledge of global economics and markets
• Team player and a collaborative and cooperative approach to tasks
• Disciplined organisation skills and high attention to detail
• Ambitious work ethic and professional disposition
• Ability to adapt quickly to changing market environments and perform under pressure.

Our benefits

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.

Our hybrid work model

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.

Guidance on AI use for candidates

At BlackRock, AI has long been part of how we work – enhancing decision-making, improving operations, and helping us deliver better outcomes for clients. We encourage candidates to use AI thoughtfully to learn, prepare, and work more effectively; but during our interview process, we want to focus on getting to know you through your own experiences, thinking, and judgment.