External Relationship Manager

**Description**
**About this role**
The Company
Are you a financial operations leader with relationship management experience searching for a rewarding and dynamic opportunity with the world's largest asset manager? Do you pride yourself on building strong relationships, leading teams and programs, workingalongside business partners and bringing strategic operational solutions to fruition? Look no further BlackRock's Global Provider Strategy (GPS) team is pursuing a Vice President to join our team. We recognise that strength comes from diversity, and willembrace your skills, eagerness, and passion while giving you freedom to grow professionally and as an individual.
Team Overview
BlackRock's GPS team is responsible for using BlackRock's scale, industry knowledge, and risk management capabilities to build and expand partnerships with leading financial institutions, achieving the delivery of high-quality service to our firm's clients.To achieve each of these goals, GPS develops and implements a forward-looking provider strategy designed to increase operational efficiency, provide risk and cost visibility, and provide flexibility as our business evolves, leading to an enhanced client experience.To balance our relationships, GPS implements a global provider governance model that combines quantitative and qualitative components, encompasses a consistent engagement program between BlackRock and our partners, mitigates operational risks, and sets parametersfor the selection of new partners.
Role Description
We are looking for an outstanding leader to join GPS in Edinburgh who will be responsible for the EMEA Relationship Management team as well as direct Provider relationships. They will drive our best-in-class governance programs and partner with stakeholdersto shape our regional franchise and operating models.
Key Responsibilities
- Key interface between BlackRock and Provider relationship management teams, acting as the central point of escalation for all major Providers related matters across the region
- Communicate relationship status to BlackRock executive leadership team and stakeholders
- Work proactively with internal constituents to drive, evolve and execute on our relationship strategies
- Refine BlackRock's post-trade landscape and provider operating models to improve scale and optionality
- Proactively detect and address risk utilising metrics and management information
- Hold Providers accountable for the service delivery, regulatory adherence, prepare and lead quarterly meetings and strategic discussions
- Stay ahead of industry developments, collect local market intelligence, and ensure BlackRock is well positioned to scale our business model
- Lead or participate in Provider searches such as RFPs and RFIs
- Drive commercial terms with respect to fees - taking into consideration Provider costs structures, potential savings and broader enterprise-wide relationships
- Construct documents and presentations to be used with EMEA regulators, fund boards, and BlackRock's risk constituents, presenting our program and associated findings
- Facilitate the implementation of the GPS oversight programs for ongoing monitoring of provider performance
- Partner with L&C, internal audit and RQA to carry out Risk assessments

**Qualifications**:

- BS/BA degree in finance, accounting economics or a related degree; advanced degree preferred
- 5+ years of relevant investment industry experience with emphasised focus on risk mitigation and/or vendor management activities
- Banking or Securities or Investment Management experience within regulatory reporting/compliance, enterprise-wide risk management, legal or business risk consulting desired
- Ability to self-manage workloads and work in a fast-paced environment, proven team member, and has strong attention to detail with highly effective oral and written communication skills
- Ability to think outside-the-box and contribute to the identification and implementation of improvements to the way in which we operate
- Ability to lead projects in a dynamic and evolving environment with the expectation of meeting Fiduciary needs
- Proficient in Microsoft Office products, emphasis on Excel and PowerPoint

BlackRock is proud to be an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, colour, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, protected veteran status, and otherstatuses protected by law.
**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 tosupport 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 current hybrid work model is designed to enable in-person connections and collaboration that is core to our culture, while supporting increased flexibility for all employees. In line with local health guidance and regulations, employees are requiredto work at least 3 days in the office each week, with the flexibility to work from home up to 2 days a week. Some business groups may require more time in the office due to their roles and responsibilities. The health, safety and well-being of our people willalways be our top priorities; we will continue to monitor local conditions and health advisories in making decisions about our work environments.
**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 inve