Analyst - BlackRock Investment Stewardship (BIS)

Description

About this role

As an independent, fiduciary asset manager, BlackRock is committed to acting at all times in the best long-term interests of our clients. We undertake our BIS activities to protect and enhance the economic value of the companies in which we invest on their behalf.

The work of BlackRock’s BIS team is an investment function. The 45+ member team operates in seven offices across three regions – the Americas (New York and San Francisco); Europe, Middle East and Africa (London); and Asia-Pacific (Tokyo, Singapore, Sydney and Hong Kong) – and undertakes engagement with and proxy voting at portfolio companies on behalf of clients globally.

BlackRock aims to take a common view in-house regarding our engagement and voting policies and uses the BIS group to coordinate, communicate and carry out these policies at the approximately 17,000 shareholder meetings at which the firm votes each year.

Role description:

The BlackRock Investment Stewardship (BIS) Analyst will work as part of a team focused on the Americas. The role reports to the Head of BIS Americas and is based in New York. The intention is for the person in this role to support voting and engagement across a number of sectors in North America, as well as contribute to the team’s thinking on policy issues relating to corporate governance, stewardship and shareholder rights.  The role may also support voting, engagement and policy in several markets in the rest of the Americas.

The Analyst – BIS is responsible for:

• Contributing to the implementation of the approved corporate governance policies for the region through engagement with investee companies, including voting at shareholder meetings;

• Contributing to the development of the firm’s corporate governance policies and the strategies for implementing them year to year;

• Participating in internal research projects as required;

• Keeping abreast of the external public debate on corporate governance and shareholder rights;

• Participating in, monitoring and analyzing proxy operations and the supporting systems and contributing to process improvements to ensure that policy implementation is as efficient and effective as possible.

The tasks involved in fulfilling these responsibilities include:

• Analyzing meeting agendas and related materials in order to vote in the manner most consistent with BlackRock’s corporate governance policies;

• Analyzing companies outside peak voting periods for environmental, social and governance (ESG) risk, and determining the appropriate course of action;

• Engaging with fundamental portfolio managers to get their input into our engagements, including proxy voting, and risk analysis;

• Supporting engagement with portfolio companies to encourage the observance of good practice and to ensure an understanding of BlackRock’s views on corporate governance and shareholder rights;

• Keeping up to date on policy developments in specific sectors and markets to ensure BlackRock’s principles and guidelines remain relevant;

• Contributing to reports for internal and external parties on BlackRock’s corporate governance policies and activities;

• Supporting colleagues in their work with BlackRock’s client-facing group and with clients to ensure client reporting and client presentations meet expectations, and that client queries on corporate governance are responded to promptly and to the satisfaction of the client;

• Contributing to engagement with policymakers on corporate governance policy and ESG matters, including through dialogue and/or public comment letters;

• Contributing to research on corporate governance topics and related matters;

• Participating in engagement with research providers and other external contributors to the BIS team’s activities to ensure they meet our needs, particularly as our needs evolve;

• Contributing to the continual review of the BIS team’s output and working practices to ensure risks are minimized and performance optimized; and

• Participating in monitoring proxy voting workflow, to ensure all accounts are voted as intended and in line with the appropriate guidelines.

The person in this role will be/will have:

• An undergraduate with a degree in finance, economics, accounting or related discipline

• Interest in investment management, investment banking, corporate finance, and/or legal affairs

• Proven corporate governance interest and experience

• An understanding of and interest in ESG issues as long-term investment considerations

• Advanced knowledge of standard office software, particularly exceptional MS Excel skills, PowerPoint, and Word

• Experience using financial research and investment analysis platforms, and/or executive compensation and ESG databases

• The ability to build and maintain successful relationships with colleagues across the firm and with external parties

• The ability to analyze and resolve complex problems under time pressure

• Details focused and persistent to see things through to completion whilst managing multiple tasks and changing priorities

• Organized, self-reliant and self-motivated

• The ability to communicate clearly and persuasively in writing and orally, including with senior colleagues, investee company representatives, and the public

• Experience with data analysis, coding, SQL a strong plus

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.

About BlackRock

BlackRock is proud to be an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer.  We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, protected veteran status, and other statuses protected by law.

BlackRock will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records in a manner consistent with the requirements of the law, including any applicable fair chance law.