Financial Markets Advisory, Associate

About this role

Overview of FMA

FMA provides a differentiated range of advisory services, leveraging BlackRock's Aladdin platform and the firm's sophisticated capital markets, data and analytics, technology, and financial modeling capabilities while maintaining information barriers.

FMA was founded in 2008 in response to the unprecedented challenges governments, financial institutions, and central banks faced as they confronted the financial crisis. They sought an impartial expert with the expertise and technology to help address some of their most difficult and challenging problems, from analyzing and unwinding complex asset portfolios to helping reassess central bank balance sheets. To meet that need, BlackRock established Financial Markets Advisory as a separate and independent business from BlackRock’s traditional asset management business.

FMA advises financial institutions, regulators, and government entities on their most critical financial issues. Example areas of support include bank stress-testing, unwinding asset portfolios, designing and implementing bond purchase programs to support the economy, and climate risk analytics and advisory.

We work with senior management at these organizations, with a focus on balance sheet, capital markets, and sustainability considerations as well as a wide range of other strategic, regulatory, and operational challenges.

Since our founding, we have completed over 500 assignments for more than 280 unique clients in 37 countries. Our professionals work out of all three BlackRock regions (Americas, EMEA, APAC), allowing FMA to serve clients in all locations and time zones and respond to urgent needs as they arise. For assignments demanding cross-disciplinary expertise, we unite professionals from multiple offices to deliver the most effective team for any client situation.

Roles & Responsibilities?

• Team members work on a diverse set of client engagements as part of multi-disciplinary project teams, encompassing subject matter authorities, engagement managers, and others. In this role you will develop and use data and analytical skills to create, review, and deliver analyses to clients, frequently using BlackRock proprietary technology platforms.

• Candidates must be interested in financial markets and be able to apply creative solutions to solve client objectives and challenges. Team members will gain subject matter expertise about financial institutions and relevant capital markets and sustainability objectives.

• The team has a strong focus on scalability to foster business growth. Individuals support this by playing a meaningful role in the design and enhancement of processes and tools.

• The ideal applicant will craft and implement solutions to address a variety of client objectives, rooted in a clear understanding of the client and business context driving client opportunities and challenges. The role involves frequent interaction and engagement with FMA team members globally across the US, EMEA, and APAC offices, and with partner teams across the firm. We deploy the breadth and depth of the firm’s capabilities to deliver success to our clients.

• Team members gain exposure to senior internal and external leaders on a range of complex financial topics and participate in client pitches, presentations, and deliverables. We work in a fast-paced environment frequently subject to tight timeframes and strive to provide a substantial impact to our clients.

• Our work provides team members with the ability to keep abreast of capital market and broader financial institutions trends. Understanding the constantly evolving landscape of relevant technological tools and solutions is also key to success.

Qualifications & Capabilities?

• Ability to synthesize complex financial analysis into clear, structured recommendations, with a strong focus on client context, decision-making impact, and senior stakeholder communication.

• Interest in understanding financial institutions and their capital markets considerations

• Excellent problem-solving abilities and intellectual curiosity

• 2-5 years of proven experience in fixed income space, preferably in valuation and risk assessment of securitized products such as mortgaged backed securities (RMBS, CMBS, etc), asset backed securities, CLOs, etc.

• Passion for data and analytical work and in performing sophisticated analyses

• Meticulous attention to detail and strong sense of initiative and ownership

• Comfort with constantly adapting and learning new skills as markets and our clients’ needs evolve; able to navigate diverse projects with varied requirements

• Strong PowerPoint presentation skills and very good communication abilities

• Proven ability to manage stakeholders effectively across functions and geographies

• Programming skills in Python and SQL preferred; familiarity with scripting, databases, modeling, and visualization tools is a plus

• Any progress towards professional qualifications like CFA or FRM preferred

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.

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.

Guidance on AI use for candidates

At BlackRock, AI has long been part of how we work – enhancing decision-making, improving operations, and helping us deliver better outcomes for clients. We encourage candidates to use AI thoughtfully to learn, prepare, and work more effectively; but during our interview process, we want to focus on getting to know you through your own experiences, thinking, and judgment. To support you, we’ve provided guidance on when and how to use AI during our hiring process so you can approach each step with confidence and showcase your best self.

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.

To learn more about BlackRock, please visit Careers.BlackRock.com. We also encourage you to get to know us on LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube, X, and TikTok.

BlackRock is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.  We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to age, disability, family status, gender identity, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation and other protected attributes at law.