Derivative Operations, Global Investment Operations, Associate

BlackRock is seeking an Associate for its Global Investment Operations team in Taipei, Taiwan. This role involves collaborating with internal stakeholders like Trading Desks and Portfolio Managers to manage transactions accurately and efficiently. Key responsibilities include coordinating trade confirmation and settlement with counterparties, investigating and resolving failed trades, overseeing trade settlements, utilizing SWIFT messaging, supporting account opening, and responding to stakeholder queries. The Associate will also manage corporate action events, reconcile accounts, review exceptions, ensure regulatory compliance, and contribute to process improvements and ad-hoc projects.

Must Have

• Possession of SITCA licensing
• 3-5 years of investment operations experience, ideally in trade operations and asset services environments
• Strong understanding of financial markets and related instruments, including equities, fixed income, FX derivatives, exchange traded futures, swaps, and collateral management
• Demonstrated risk awareness, with a focus on identifying and reporting potential risks
• Fluency in Microsoft Office applications (Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Microsoft Project)
• Fluency in both spoken and written English and Chinese
• Working knowledge of trade processing, settlement processes and systems, including Bloomberg

Good to Have

• Innovative problem-solving skills and ability to respond rapidly to challenges
• Exceptional attention to detail and capability to manage conflicting priorities effectively
• Ability to use data-driven decision-making processes, especially under tight deadlines
• High motivation, keen interest in financial operations, and a commitment to problem-solving and going the extra mile
• Organized, disciplined, and methodical approach to work, with strong time management skills
• Proactive team player who recognizes the value of a well-organized team and can take the lead in implementing process improvements and supporting change initiatives
• Self-starter with substantial experience in identifying and delivering continuous improvement initiatives
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, adaptable to various audiences and situations, and effective partnership building
• Demonstrates exemplary work ethics, ownership, and accountability
• Flexible and thrives in a dynamic, deadline-driven environment

Perks & Benefits

• Strong retirement plan
• Tuition reimbursement
• Comprehensive healthcare
• Support for working parents
• Flexible Time Off (FTO)

About this role

Position Overview

BlackRock is currently seeking experienced Operations professionals at the Associate level to join our Global Investment Operations team. In this role, you will collaborate closely with key internal stakeholders, such as the Trading Desk, Portfolio Managers, and other essential partners, to ensure the accurate and efficient management of transactions.

Role Responsibilities

• Act as a primary contact for Investment Operations, supporting internal stakeholders for Taiwan funds.
• Coordinate with counterparties, custodians, and brokers to facilitate prompt trade confirmation and settlement, aiming to minimize potential trade failures.
• Identify and investigate all failed trades with brokers and custodians, determine the underlying causes, and work towards effective resolution.
• Oversee the settlement of trades, fully or partially based on available safekeeping positions within custodian accounts, ensuring compliance with all settlement requirements.
• Engage with counterparties and custodians to pre-match and settle trades efficiently within market deadlines.
• Utilize SWIFT messaging across a variety of financial products.
• Support the registration and account opening processes in partnership with brokers, depositories, and other counterparties.
• Respond to queries from both internal and external stakeholders, with particular focus on fostering strong relationships with the BlackRock Trading desk.
• Ensure all corporate action events, including income events, are accurately captured, validated, and processed in a timely manner across eligible funds.
• Collaborate with Portfolio Management Groups to obtain and act upon all necessary elections related to corporate actions.
• Issue and confirm all requisite corporate action instructions with custodians and counterparties.
• Reconcile all accounts with fund accountants and brokers/custodians, ensuring daily publication within agreed deadlines.
• Review cash, position, and collateral exceptions daily, ensuring prompt escalation and resolution by the team.
• Maintain a thorough understanding and compliance with all relevant regulatory requirements.
• Escalate material risk items and service issues promptly and appropriately.
• Manage workload and prioritize tasks to ensure effective and controlled completion of responsibilities.
• Comprehend the flow of client, fund, and trade information between various groups and systems.
• Maintain awareness of market and industry developments, developing a broad understanding of BlackRock’s business beyond the immediate unit.
• Participate in periodic reviews and updates of operating models and service level documentation to reflect optimal working practices.
• Work with BlackRock Fund Administration teams in Edinburgh to ensure process consistency and optimal resource use, providing comprehensive control and administrative duties such as daily NAV review, tolerance checks, and invoicing.
• Oversee daily NAV checking, including AUM (Aladdin), Custodian Reports (cash and holdings), pricing, and trade instructions in cooperation with Outsourcing Fund Admin service providers.
• Support daily operations in corporate actions, fund administration, and transaction management, with cross-support across GIO (Transaction Management/Corporate Actions) and Fund Admin for Taiwan Business Operations.
• Prepare, review, and deliver ad-hoc reports to clients, custodians, or accounting agents as needed.
• Prepare monthly regulatory reporting and handle both regular and ad-hoc internal and external reporting requirements.
• Contribute to the initiation and implementation of ad-hoc projects.

Experience and Qualifications

• Possession of SITCA licensing (Securities Investment Trust & Consulting Professionals) is required.
• Proven ability to work effectively within both small and larger teams.
• 3-5 years of investment operations experience, ideally in trade operations and asset services environments.
• Strong understanding of financial markets and related instruments, including equities, fixed income, FX derivatives, exchange traded futures, swaps, and collateral management.
• Demonstrated risk awareness, with a focus on identifying and reporting potential risks to line management and relevant parties.
• Consistent record of building positive relationships and engaging broad networks of colleagues to resolve issues.
• Initiative, flexibility, and a positive attitude towards change, with a willingness to support the team in achieving its goals.
• Team spirit, with readiness to assist colleagues and take on tasks outside regular responsibilities when required.
• Accountability for completing work to high standards of quality and timeliness, following agreed procedures.
• Accurate record-keeping practices, ensuring all documents are filed for easy retrieval.
• Fluency in Microsoft Office applications (Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Microsoft Project).
• Fluency in both spoken and written English and Chinese.
• Working knowledge of trade processing, settlement processes and systems, including Bloomberg.
• Qualified applicants, including people with disabilities, are welcome to apply

Competencies

• Innovative problem-solving skills and ability to respond rapidly to challenges.
• Exceptional attention to detail and capability to manage conflicting priorities effectively.
• Ability to use data-driven decision-making processes, especially under tight deadlines.
• High motivation, keen interest in financial operations, and a commitment to problem-solving and going the extra mile.
• Organized, disciplined, and methodical approach to work, with strong time management skills in a sometimes-pressured environment, and the ability to prioritise tasks for self and others to consistently achieve business objectives.
• Proactive team player who recognizes the value of a well-organized team and can take the lead in implementing process improvements and supporting change initiatives.
• Self-starter with substantial experience in identifying and delivering continuous improvement initiatives.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, adaptable to various audiences and situations, and effective partnership building.
• Demonstrates exemplary work ethics, ownership, and accountability.
• Flexible and thrives in a dynamic, deadline-driven environment.

Our benefits

To help you stay energized, engaged and inspired, we offer a wide range of benefits including a strong retirement plan, tuition reimbursement, comprehensive healthcare, support for working parents 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.

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.

For additional information on BlackRock, please visit @blackrock | Twitter: @blackrock | LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/blackrock

BlackRock is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to age, disability, family status, gender identity, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation and other protected attributes at law.

About Us

BlackRock's purpose is to help more and more people experience financial well-being. As a global investment manager and a leading provider of financial technology, our clients—from grandparents, doctors, and teachers to large institutions—turn to us for the solutions they need when planning for their most important goals. People join our firm from around the world to gain real-world experience while making an impact. Discover how you can have a career at BlackRock that's exciting, rewarding and full of possibilities.