Vice President - Corporate Governance & Responsible Investment (CGRI)

• Company

  BlackRock

• Location

  USA-TX-Tyler

• Remuneration

  Not Specified

• Position Type

  Permanent

• Employment type

  Full time

• Updated

  14-Oct-2013

• eFC Ref no

  1292441

  As an independent, fiduciary asset manager, BlackRock is committed to acting at all times in the best long-term interests of our clients.  We undertake our CGRI activities to protect and enhance the economic value of the companies in which we invest on their behalf. 

 
As an independent, fiduciary asset manager, BlackRock is committed to acting at all times in the best long-term interests of our clients.  We undertake our CGRI activities to protect and enhance the economic value of the companies in which we invest on their behalf.

The work of BlackRock's CGRI team is an investment function.  The team is based in five regions – the United States, Europe, Japan, Hong Kong and Australia – and undertakes engagement with and proxy voting at portfolio companies on behalf of clients globally. 

BlackRock aims to take a common view in-house regarding our engagement and voting policies and uses the CGRI group to coordinate, communicate and carry out these policies across the 95 markets and approximately 15,000 shareholder meetings at which the firm votes each year. 

Role description:

We seek to hire an experienced practitioner to lead our corporate governance and responsible investment (CGRI) efforts in the Americas (i.e. North, Central and South America).  The role will be based in New York and will report to the Global Head CGRI.
 
Responsibilities    
   

• Lead a team based in San Francisco and New York dedicated to engagement with companies, including voting at shareholder meetings, and policy development on CGRI in markets in the Americas on behalf of the firm globally. 
• Represent the Americas team on the global CGRI leadership committee.
• Set the strategy, in conjunction with the Global Head CGRI, for the firm's CGRI efforts in the Americas and execute it effectively. 
• Monitor market developments to ensure that BlackRock's offering to clients continues to be leading edge and that we continue to provide clients with the solutions and products they seek.
• Work with BlackRock's client-facing group and with clients directly to ensure client reporting meets expectations and continues to evolve as client demands change and that any client queries on corporate governance are responded to promptly and to the satisfaction of the client.
• Develop our approach to incorporating corporate governance, including social, ethical and environmental considerations, into account in the investment process to ensure its evolution. 
• Engage with Chairmen, CEOs and other senior representatives of the companies in which BlackRock invests, in conjunction with portfolio managers as appropriate.
• Lead, manage and enhance, in conjunction with the team's Global COO, BlackRock's voting operations for the Americas to ensure risks are minimized and performance optimized.
• Serve as BlackRock's corporate governance and responsible investment expert in the Americas for key audiences internally and externally.  Ensure an accurate and widespread understanding of our activities in this area.
• Support the regional oversight committee and, in conjunction with the Committee's chairman, ensure its members remain informed of regional developments and are equipped to fulfil their function to guide and oversee the team's work.
• Assess key regulatory and market developments in the CGRI field to ensure that BlackRock's approach continues to be at the leading edge of best practice.  Engage in the public policy debate in the region, in conjunction with the Government Relations team.
• Contribute to shaping the firm's approach to CGRI globally, partnering with colleagues in other regions in which the CGRI team is represented to ensure we meet the expectations of our clients and our colleagues. 

 
Skills and Qualifications   
 

• Extensive experience in a role with a predominant focus on CGRI matters.
• An in-depth knowledge of corporate governance standards, corporate responsibility best practices, and legal frameworks in markets in the Americas, with a particular focus on North America.
• Proven experience of engaging at high levels in corporate and public settings.
• Experience of voting by proxy and otherwise participating in annual and extraordinary general meetings in the Americas and an ability to assess complex situations under time pressure.
• An understanding of portfolio management, the asset management industry and financial analysis.
• Strong relationships within the CGRI community in the region (and internationally a plus); an ability to cultivate such relationships.
• Strong academic and professional credentials.
• Experience in leading, developing and managing a team. 
• A collaborative working style, with a positive attitude and a commitment to delivering to the highest standards for our clients by continually seeking opportunities to develop and improve our approach.
• Independence of thought and a willingness to take a stand contrary to public opinion on voting and policy issues if that is in the economic interests of our clients, consistent with our fiduciary mandate.
• Solid analytical skills and an ability to contribute meaningfully to the corporate governance and responsible investment debate in the Americas in a thoughtful and considered manner.
• A demonstrated track record of professional integrity throughout career. 
• The ability to communicate clearly and persuasively in writing and orally, including with senior colleagues and investee company representative.

More information about BlackRock and the work of the CGRI team can be found on our website at www.blackrock.com/corporate/en-us/about-us



BlackRock is proud to be an E-Verify & Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer--M/F/D/V.


BlackRock is one of the world's preeminent asset management firms and a premier provider of global investment management, risk management and advisory services to institutional, intermediary and individual investors around the world. BlackRock offers a range of solutions -- from rigorous fundamental and quantitative active management approaches aimed at maximizing outperformance to highly efficient indexing strategies designed to gain broad exposure to the world's capital markets. Our clients can access our investment solutions through a variety of product structures, including individual and institutional separate accounts, mutual funds and other pooled investment vehicles, and the industry-leading iShares® ETFs.

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