BlackRock Manager Research – Operational Due Diligence Associate

BlackRock's Manager Research Operational Due Diligence team is seeking an Associate in London. This role involves conducting comprehensive operational reviews of investments, assessing personnel, policies, procedures, and control environments across areas like trading, valuation, and compliance. The Associate will perform assessments, present findings to the Investment Committee, and engage with C-suite executives and industry service providers, contributing to client engagement and process enhancement initiatives.

Must Have

• Conduct operational due diligence reviews on existing and prospective investments.
• Evaluate internal controls, operational support, personnel, trading infrastructure, regulatory environment, compliance program, financing arrangements, cash management, valuation practices, NAV production, service providers, IT and cybersecurity.
• Perform operational assessments and present findings to the Investment Committee.
• Deliver recommendations on best practices to external investment managers and internal partners.
• Coordinate and participate in meetings with C-suite executives and senior management personnel.
• Contribute to client engagement efforts and ongoing servicing.
• Conduct reviews of key industry service providers.
• Assist with legal fund documentation review and negotiations.
• Build a comprehensive understanding of investment strategies and asset classes.
• Drive initiatives and projects focused on process enhancement and emergent industry trends.

Good to Have

• 3-5 years of experience (not crucial).
• Outstanding academic credentials in Finance, Economics, Mathematics, Engineering, or similar.
• Commitment to personal growth (e.g., CFA or CPA).
• Articulate, confident communication skills for presenting ideas.
• Sense of urgency, hands-on approach, and ability to balance the big picture with details.
• Ability to establish rapport and form meaningful connections.
• Proficiency in Python, R, SQL, etc.
• Willingness to travel domestically and internationally.

Perks & Benefits

• Retirement investment and tools.
• Access to education reimbursement.
• Comprehensive resources to support physical health and emotional well-being.
• Family support programs.
• Flexible Time Off (FTO).

About this role

BlackRock's Manager Research Operational Due Diligence team is looking for an Associate to join our team in London.

Who we are:

BlackRock Manager Research (“BMR”) is a global team that drives innovation in selecting the best investment managers across public and private markets. Whether it’s hedge funds or mutual funds, private credit or real estate, we help build portfolios that perform – using innovative methods to identify the top players in the industry. BMR is organized into three expert pillars: Investment Due Diligence (IDD), Operational Due Diligence (ODD), and Quantitative Due Diligence (QDD), where we analyze data, trends, and strategies to ensure our clients’ investments thrive.

As part of BlackRock’s Multi-Asset Strategies & Solutions (MASS) group, you’ll be at the heart of how we approach asset allocation, portfolio construction, and active management. With over $1 trillion in assets under management, MASS is where innovation meets execution in delivering results for BlackRock clients globally.

Your Role:

As an Associate on our Operational Due Diligence team, you will dive deep into comprehensive operational reviews of underlying investments, assessing personnel, policies, procedures, and the overall control environment of the firm. You'll cover areas such as trading, asset valuation, third-party service providers, counterparty risk, regulatory developments, compliance, fund governance, as well as technology and cybersecurity.

Your responsibilities will include performing assessments on new investment opportunities, ongoing monitoring of existing investments, and meeting with the C-suite and senior leadership of third-party investment managers, leading experts in BlackRock, and industry service providers. This role is perfect for someone who thrives in a dynamic and collaborative environment, possesses strong analytical and organizational skills, and has a passion for continuous development and improvement.

Successful candidates will demonstrate outstanding attention to detail, excellent interpersonal skills, and a relentless drive to excel. If you have intellectual curiosity and a proven ability to work across teams, this is the opportunity for you! Join us and be part of a team that is shaping the future of investment management.

What You’ll Do:

• Conduct operational due diligence reviews on existing and prospective investments, including evaluations of internal controls, operational support structure, personnel, trading infrastructure, regulatory environment, compliance program, financing arrangements, cash management procedures, valuation practices, NAV production, service providers, IT and cybersecurity, etc.
• Perform operational assessments and present findings to the Investment Committee.
• Deliver recommendations on best practices to external investment managers and internal partners.
• Coordinate and participate in meetings with C-suite executives (e.g. COO, CFO) and other senior management personnel.
• Contribute to client engagement efforts and ongoing servicing
• Conduct reviews of key industry service providers such as fund administrators, third party valuation agents, compliance and IT consultants, prime brokers, etc.
• Assist with legal fund documentation review and negotiations.
• Build a comprehensive understanding of investment strategies and asset classes through independent research, engagement in the industry and across the Firm.
• Drive initiatives and projects focused on process enhancement and emergent industry trends

What You Offer:

• Fresh Perspectives: 3-5 years of experience is great but not crucial – we’re more interested in your curiosity and passion for investments.
• Academic Excellence: Whether you studied Finance, Economics, Mathematics, Engineering, or something similar, we want to see outstanding academic credentials.
• Ambition: Got your eye on the CFA or CPA? Amazing! We love people who are committed to personal growth.
• Confidence and Communication: You’re articulate, confident, and ready to present your ideas to everyone from teammates to senior leadership to C-suite executives.
• Energy and Drive: You bring a sense of urgency, a hands-on approach, and the ability to balance the big picture with the details.
• Relationship Builder: You’re great at establishing rapport and forming meaningful connections inside and outside the organization.
• Tech Savvy: Proficient in Python, R, SQL, etc.? Fantastic! We can put those skills to good use.
• Willingness to Travel: Domestically and internationally – our investment managers are all over the world!

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.