Compliance advisory

About this role

BlackRock is a global leader in investment management, risk management and advisory services for institutional and retail clients. At January 30, 2018, BlackRock's AUM was $5.7 trillion. BlackRock helps clients around the world meet their financial goals with a range of products that include separate accounts, mutual funds, iShares ® (exchange-traded funds), and other pooled investment vehicles. BlackRock also offers risk management, advisory and enterprise investment system services to a broad base of institutional investors through BlackRock Solutions ®. For additional information, please visit the Company's website at www.blackrock.com | Twitter: @blackrock_news | Blog: www.blackrockblog.com | LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/blackrock

BlackRock's Compliance Department protects BlackRock's reputation and provides client focused advice. It understands, challenges and advises on the impact of regulation in our business, with the objective of:

• Actively participating in business decisions to champion our clients' interests and assist the business to translate Compliance into their daily work;
• Having client interests at the center of everything we do;
• Cultivating and enhancing the compliance culture within BlackRock;
• Providing thought leadership on the impact and implementation of regulation;
• Developing and fostering excellence within the Compliance team;

Role Description:

A new and exciting opportunity has arisen to join BlackRock's EMEA Compliance Advisory team covering the Middle East. This position will complement an existing team of expert compliance professionals based across EMEA reporting to the EMEA ex-UK head of compliance based in London although there will be an additional reporting line into the Middle East Head of Compliance and the EMEA head of Financial Crime to ensure a globally consistent AML framework. Our ideal candidate will have at least six years of relevant experience within a leading investment/fund manager and will have gained expertise in mutual fund regulation, institutional client business, sovereign wealth and 3rd party distribution. Experience with regulatory obligations across the broader MENA region will be a distinct advantage.

The successful candidate will exhibit strong partnership and relationship management skills. The strength of character to offer healthy challenge will be essential, as will be the ability to engage successfully with stakeholders at all levels of the business. A highly-motivated self-starter, the successful candidate will demonstrate sound judgment, excellent technical and regulatory knowledge, a strong team ethic, combined with high energy, enthusiasm, resilience, tenacity, diplomacy and relationship management skills.

Key Responsibilities:

• Identifying all regulations affecting the Middle East business, monitoring all regulatory risks and potential compliance breaches while ensuring internal policies and procedures take account of the changing regulatory landscape
• Support the compliance team with regulatory reporting and liaising with CMA/DFSA and checking that all regulatory returns and ad hoc notifications have been submitted to the CMA/ DFSA and all applicable regulatory authorities on a timely basis.
• Develop a Regulatory Risk Framework outlining any requirements and ensuring suitable controls are in place.
• Review and approval of advertising and marketing materials for distribution in KSA. This will involve having a detailed understanding of marketing rules as well as digital marketing.
• Be the senior point of contact with the regulators (CMA, SAIGA) and maintain positive relations with external stakeholders.
• Establishing and maintaining an appropriate money laundering training program and adequate awareness arrangements for all relevant employees and conduct ad-hoc focused training on specific regulatory compliance matters.
• Timely escalation of regulatory matters to the Head of EMEA ex-UK Compliance and Middle East Head of Compliance.
• Strengthening of compliance controls and the embedding of a compliance culture through reviews, guidance, advice and stakeholder engagement.
• Assisting and advising senior management in identifying and mitigating the compliance risks facing the Firm and designing and implementing policies, procedures, systems and controls that will enable the Firm to comply with the legislation in Saudi Arabia and the Dubai International Financial Centre.
• Provide reports on a regular basis and, as directed or requested, keep senior management informed of the operation and progress of Compliance efforts.
• Establishing and maintaining the firms' files and registers in relation to: controllers; senior management apportionment; authorised individuals; breaches; complaints; conflicts identification and management, marketing materials; clients, regulatory returns and notifications to the CMA.
• Responsibility for compliance with the CMA and DFSA AML a rules and any relevant anti-money laundering legislation.
• Establish and maintain anti-money laundering policies, procedures, systems and controls and compliance with anti-money laundering legislation applicable in the DFSA and KSA.
• Contributing to the creation of management reporting and communication on Compliance matters to senior management, corporate and/or fund boards and BlackRock business stakeholders.
• Providing advice on the anticipation, impact assessment and response to regulatory development;
• Designing and delivering effective regulatory training initiatives to the business.

Knowledge / Experience:

• Minimum of 6-8 years' experience in compliance. Experience with the CMA, DFSA or other regulators is advantageous.
• A strong understanding of regulation.
• Skills/experience in investment advice, investment management and investment products.
• Excellent written and spoken English required; proficiency in Arabic a plus
• High levels of "EQ" & good communication skills
• Integrity and professionalism; must be a team player
• Must be independent and a self-starter, with excellent organisational skills and ability to work independently to tight deadlines
• Strong business presentation, writing, communication and interpersonal skills.
• Extensive experience within a control function within the asset management industry, ideally within Compliance or Legal.
• Demonstrable ability to influence a highly-performing internal client base by delivering timely, credible, accurate and value-added advice.
• High levels of enthusiasm for supporting an innovative product development, marketing and distribution strategy.
• Highly effective written and verbal communications skills.
• Consistent ability to demonstrate high standards of professional accuracy and excellent attention to detail.
• Self-motivation, the ability to work autonomously and high energy levels.
• The technical ability and mindset to deliver a solutions-driven approach and the judgment to use this in appropriate circumstances.
• Excellent organisational skills with ability to prioritise workloads, progress multiple tasks and adhere to deadlines.
• Ability to collaborate effectively both within the team and across functions.
• The strength of character to offer healthy challenge.
• High degree of familiarity with regulatory environment ex-UK or a genuine desire to develop such knowledge.
• As part of the broader EMEA Compliance Department, broader advisory experience across the asset classes and covering a range of jurisdictions would be a distinct advantage.
• Language skills would be a distinct advantage.

Qualification
s

• Significant financial services experience with a focus on regulation;
• Educated to degree level, possibly with a professional qualification e.g., ACA, CFA, IMC;
• Strong working knowledge of CMA Rules and other Middle East regulatory requirements;
• Self-starter. Ability to drive forward work plans under little supervision;
• Collaborative team player;
• Strong written/oral communication;
• Ability to prioritise workloads and adhere to deadlines;
• High standard of accuracy and excellent attention to detail;

About BlackRock

BlackRock's purpose is to help more and more people experience financial well-being. As a fiduciary to investors and a leading provider of financial technology, our clients turn to us for the solutions they need when planning for their most important goals. As of September 30, 2019, the firm managed approximately $6.96 trillion in assets on behalf of investors worldwide.

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

Blog: www.blackrockblog.com | LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/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.