About this role Location: Edinburgh Opportunity: 6-month Contract Start Date: Monday September 16 2024 Application Closing Date: June 23 2024 BlackRock is delighted to partner with Career Returners on their returner Program, as they recognize talented professionals with different backgrounds and experiences bring a unique and valued perspective to BlackRock. About the BlackRock Returner Program The Returner Program is designed to encourage and support a return to full-time work through a six-month paid Returnship starting in September 2024. The returner program acts as a feeder to full-time permanent employment (subject to individual performance and market conditions). How we will support you: We will offer a variety of employee networks to help you integrate into the business and culture Provide a mentor and buddy for your day-to-day questions Provide coaching and peer support Eligibility criteria: A career break of at least 24 months (no upper limit). During your career break you may have been working small-scale around other commitments or have not done any paid work. Prior experience in Investment Management or Financial Services You must have the right to work in the UK to apply for the program. Role Overview The BlackRock Solutions Aladdin Client Transformation Project team is looking for an Associate to manage project plans, coordinate tasks with a matrix team, identify and manage risks and issues, serve as the central point of contact, drive project progress, handle project reporting, manage project resourcing, track financials, and lead on eFront and smaller projects with Delivery oversight. Role Responsibilities Active management of internal [Gold Copy] project plans, scope, resourcing, budgets, risks, issues, actions and decisions using standard tools (Plan, RAID log, Requirements Register, Resource planning /forecasting). Responsible for managing client-side project delivery risk – ensuring that client activities on which BRS tasks are dependent are completed to meet baseline milestones as captured in a joint BRS/Client project plan. Monitoring and tracking the delivery of projects and work packages as assigned. Ensuring the project is delivered on time and on budget. Management of formal Project Change Control. Reporting and management of Risks and Issues – both internal and external. Daily/weekly project reporting. Chairing project working groups / attending Steering Committees and scheduling of key Project Meetings such as BPRs, Workshops, Kick-Offs etc. Active project resource tracking and booking. Project budget / finance tracking (e.g. protection of margin / travel budget & expenses tracking). Management and tracking of client Training process, ensuring that the relevant end-client user champions have completed the required training prior to UAT commencement. Key Deliverables (actively maintained and managed): Project Plan Project Resource Plan/Forecast Project Requirements Register Project Budget Tracker / Forecast Risk, Issue, Assumption, Decision and Action Log Project Reporting Formal Test Completion Reporting Statement of Acceptance (SoA) as an output of go/no go workflow / Coordination of go-live communications Internal: ACT Project Execution RPL, ACT Project Delivery Leads, ACT Practices, ACT Execution Management colleagues, ACE, ACS, Sales & Sales Eng. Client: Sponsor, Program/Project Manager, client users across all functional areas (PM/Ops/Accounting etc.) Desired Core Competencies Excellent Organizational Skills. Creates and maintains strong relationships with internal and external project stakeholders at all levels and can build consensus and positively influence outcomes. Strong Communication Skills. Excellent Project Delivery methodology knowledge / practical application of formal methodologies. Excellent Risk, Issue, Action, Decision and Assumption Management. Excellent budget creation, forecasting, maintenance, reporting and management skills. Ability to prioritize and manage own activities in the best interests of the organization. Experience of working with global colleagues and stakeholders and sensitivity to cultural differences and time zones. Logical, structured thought processes and good problem-solving skills. Ideally, an excellent understanding of the Asset Management industry and Alternatives Business – Front to Back Workflows and Datasets. Experience of OMS, Trading Platforms, and Market Data would be helpful. 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. 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, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation and other protected characteristics at law. 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. 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