Financial & Strategic Investors Group – Insurance Advisory & Investment Solutions, Associate

About this role

Team Overview

The Insurance Advisory & Investment Solutions ("IA&IS") team is a group of insurance specialists with diverse backgrounds from asset management, investment banking, insurance, and consultancy.

A key focus of the team is engaging with insurance clients to help solve their most complex asset allocation, portfolio construction, risk, and capital management challenges. This work also requires the team to develop bespoke modelling and analytical capabilities, both independently and leveraging the broader BlackRock analytical platform.

We use our collective insurance, analytics, and investment expertise and experience to deliver effective investment propositions that address the needs of our insurance clients.

Responsibilities

• Develop a thorough knowledge of BlackRock's existing systems, tools and other capabilities which are of relevance to modelling the assets and liabilities of insurers.

• Contribute to the development of balance sheet projection models and optimization tools to provide deep insights into the construction of optimal insurance portfolios, taking into account insurance specific objectives and constraints.

• Contribute to the broad development objectives of the team's global analytical platform across framework input assumptions, optimization methodologies and liability cashflow aware analytics.

• Maintain strong relationships with internal partners in the Financial & Strategic Investors Group, the BlackRock Investment Institute, Aladdin Financial Engineering and relevant investment teams to drive enhancements in analytical capabilities of relevance to insurers.

• Keep abreast of the implications of regulatory, accounting and capital frameworks on investment and risk management decisions made by insurance companies.

• Undertake complex ALM, strategic asset allocation and capital management exercises to design portfolios and strategies that provide good trade-offs between capital charges, return, volatility, transaction costs and liquidity needs.

Qualifications

Knowledge/Experience:

• At least 2 years of industry experience, gained within an insurer, asset manager, investment bank, or consultancy.

• Previous experience with investment and ALM strategies utilised by insurers when managing assets invested to meet long-term liabilities, balance sheet management and portfolio optimization.

• Strong knowledge of life insurance products and regulatory and accounting constraints under which insurers operate.

• Good understanding of modern financial mathematics (e.g. option pricing, hedging, stochastic processes, Monte Carlo simulation, interest-rate modelling).

• Demonstrable practical experience in coding with Python, VBA, or other programming languages, specifically applied to asset and liability modelling.

• Skills commensurate with holding an investment, risk management, actuarial or other technical role in a life insurance, reinsurance or banking environment would be advantageous.

• Advanced degree in mathematics, engineering, economics, or other technical discipline.

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: 

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.