Compliance Vice President (Frankfurt, Germany)

About this role

Business Unit Overview:

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  
• Have client interests at the centre of everything we do 
• Cultivate and enhance the compliance culture within BlackRock 
• Provide thought leadership on the impact and implementation of regulation 
• Developing and fostering excellence within the Compliance team

Job Purpose/Background:

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Vice President to join the BlackRock Compliance team in Germany. This position will complement the current German and Swiss teams which work closely with the wider Compliance teams in EMEA, creating a dynamic internationally oriented environment. The successful candidate will report into the Head of Compliance Switzerland with a matrix reporting line to the Head of Compliance Germany.

The role advises on regulated activities in Germany (and, as applicable, Austria) and Switzerland and is expected to operate in line with applicable German/EU requirements (including, as relevant to the business model, KAGB/AIFMD, UCITS, WpHG/MiFID II, GwG/AML framework, MaRisk, and DORA), applicable Swiss requirements as well as internal policies and governance.

The role forms part of the Compliance function and is expected to exercise independent judgement, ensure appropriate escalation of issues, and maintain robust documentation suitable for internal audit and regulatory reviews.

Key Responsibilities:

• Advising local staff and governing bodies on compliance matters, including marketing and sales activities in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and abroad (cross-border)
• Supporting local Heads of Compliance Germany and Switzerland in maintaining and improving the compliance framework, dealing with regulatory issues, queries and projects
• Supporting local Heads of Compliance Germany and Switzerland in regulatory horizon scanning and advising on relevance/impact of such regulatory developments
• Supporting local Heads of Compliance Germany and Switzerland in monitoring of and reporting on business activities and related compliance matters (e.g. product launches, investment restrictions, regulatory breaches)
• Supporting local Heads of Compliance Germany and Switzerland in managing the compliance outsourcing framework (e.g. monitoring including KPI reviews, service review meetings, service level agreement management)
• Supporting local Head of Germany in fulfilling the role of designated Deputy Chief Compliance Officer (Deputy CCO) for Germany. Where appointed/registered as Deputy MLRO (Central Position) under the applicable AML framework, the role acts as deputy to the MLRO for Germany within the defined scope and delegation. fulfilling the role of Deputy CCO and Deputy MLRO (Central Position) following appropriate training.
• Deputizing the Heads of Compliance Germany and Switzerland in providing Compliance updates in local governance committee meetings
• Supporting local Heads of Compliance Germany and Switzerland in reviewing and updating local Compliance Framework incl. Anti-Financial Crime policies, procedures and risk assessments
• Delivery of risk-based compliance trainings to BlackRock staff based in Germany, Austria, Switzerland (as applicable or required)
• Providing advice on specified projects, including but not limited to new business initiatives and products
• Close collaboration with local Legal & Compliance teams and broader EMEA Legal & Compliance team

Potential candidates should be aware that this is a high-profile role where ability to communicate at all levels of the organisation (including local senior management) as well as excellent organizational skills are critical to success.

Development Value:

Great opportunity for a self-starting, ambitious team player to learn all about the asset management industry and its regulatory environment from the perspective of a leading asset manager, with the potential for a longer-term career within the Compliance team. The role offers exposure to regulatory interactions and governing bodies, along with a structured development path towards deputy responsibilities subject to formal training and competency assessment.

Knowledge/Experience/Skills:

The ideal candidate holds a university degree and will have at least five years relevant experience within the financial services industry, a law firm or a leading professional service firm, with sound knowledge of the EU (and Swiss) regulatory environment and a proven capability of applying this knowledge in practice. The ideal candidate is a strong communicator who understands the balance between business opportunities and regulatory limitations and can engage successfully with stakeholders at all levels of the business. The ideal candidate is tenacious but diplomatic, with a can-do mentality and eagerness to learn. A high standard of accuracy, attention to detail, strong ethical compass and ability to prioritize are essential to be successful in this role. For deputy responsibilities in regulated functions, the candidate is expected to meet applicable fit-and-proper expectations, including integrity, reliability, and the ability to maintain confidentiality, as well as to evidence relevant expertise through documented experience and training.

Regulatory expertise: demonstrable familiarity with German and Swiss regulatory expectations relevant to an asset manager and cross-border distribution (e.g., compliance framework, conduct requirements, AML/CTF environment, governance and reporting).

Competencies:

• Effective in written and oral communication, including fluency in German and English.
• Confidence in understanding the current regulatory landscape
• High standard of accuracy and excellent attention to detail
• Pragmatic and able to use initiative.
• Enthusiasm for learning and professional development, curious by nature
• Collaborative team player but also able to work autonomously
• Strong personality, combining energy, enthusiasm, resilience, tenacity and diplomacy.
• 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.
• Strong interpersonal skills. Ability to collaborate effectively both within the team and across functions and work on team projects.
• Demonstrate leadership and ability to influence across business lines.
• Proven track record in producing high-quality deliverables under competing priorities and adherence to deadlines with the ability to be able to reprioritise quickly, manage ambiguity, regulatory change and evolving business needs with resilience
• Strong analytical, critical thinking and problem-solving skills with the ability to exercise sound, offer healthy challenge and balanced judgment with the ability to calibrate risk thoughtfully, deliver practical commercial sound solutions but without compromising compliance risk.
• High standard of professional accuracy and excellent attention to detail.
• Ability to spot and communicate enhancements on processes and procedures, particularly with the use of AI.

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.