About this role
Vice President – Company Secretary, BlackRock Investment Trusts
Job Purpose/Background
BlackRock currently manages and administers 9 investment trust companies (each with a listing on the Premium Segment of the London Stock Exchange) with assets under management of $4.5 billion in aggregate.
These companies are supported by BlackRock’s Investment Trust Company Secretariat, a six-strong team which provides high quality, value-add professional company secretarial services and is responsible for ensuring that these companies comply with all legal and regulatory requirements (including Listing Rules, Disclosure and Transparency Rules and the FRC’s UK Corporate Governance Code).
BlackRock is seeking to recruit a qualified Company Secretary to join the Investment Trust Company Secretariat to provide a full range of company secretarial services to BlackRock’s investment trust companies, either as the primary or secondary professional, and to participate in projects as required. It is envisaged that the successful candidate will initially have responsibility for three investment trusts.
Key responsibilities include:
- Taking company secretarial responsibility for certain designated BlackRock investment trusts;
- Providing end-to-end support of the board corporate governance process (agendas/papers/minutes) and advising on best practice;
- Drafting content for closed end investment trust interim and annual reports and coordinating the interim and annual report production process
- Remaining up to date on all legislative and regulatory changes affecting investment companies and helping the Boards to understand the implications for their company;
- Liaising with Brokers, Registrars, external auditors and other relevant service providers
- Maintaining investment trust company statutory books and records in good order and ensuring that appropriate Companies House filings are made on a timely basis
- Implementing corporate actions and restructurings (e.g. share buybacks, share issues, tenders etc)
- Drafting and lodging Stock Exchange announcements as required;
- Working closely with the wider Closed End Funds team and other areas across BlackRock (Legal, Compliance, Risk and Quantitative Analysis, Portfolio Management etc) to ensure that the requirements and expectations of the investment company boards and BlackRock’s commercial objectives are met;
- Responding to shareholder queries.
- Participating in and providing input into BlackRock-wide projects which impact investment trust companies
Skills / Qualifications:
- Qualified Company Secretary with significant experience of Investment Trust Company Secretarial duties
- A strong credible personal presence with proven experience of gaining the confidence of experienced Board members through a combination of high quality communication skills, investment trust knowledge and proven delivery capability.
- Strong technical ability and experience to assess and implement the requirements and impact of company law and regulations and changes to both.
- Strong team player who can work with colleagues across multiple departments, and influence a positive outcome for the investment trusts.
- Must be able to demonstrate high standards of excellence and integrity.
- Self-starter who is energetic and enthusiastic, with a track record of continuous delivery.
- Can do attitude to problem solving.
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.
