About this role

Team Overview  

BlackRock Active Investment Stewardship (BAIS) is a specialist team which manages BlackRock's stewardship engagement and voting on behalf of clients invested in active strategies globally. The team sits within BlackRock's Portfolio Management Group (PMG) which encompasses Fixed Income, Fundamental Equities, Private Credit, Systematic Investments, Multi-Asset Strategies and Solutions and Private Investors Businesses. Our activities are informed by our Global Engagement and Voting Guidelines and insights from active investment analysts and portfolio managers, with whom we work closely in engaging companies. This is an exciting opportunity to join a new function, and we are looking to build a team of high performing governance specialists globally.  

About the position: 

The BAIS Analyst will be responsible for voting and engagement in relation to a universe of companies, in Japan and other Asian markets as required, in collaboration with active investors. They will provide support on portfolio company analysis, engagement preparation and follow up, and reviewing and assessing corporate governance in advance of voting.  

The intention is for the person in this role to specialize in a subset of the companies in BAIS' engagement universe, along with various aspects of relevant policy, to support the delivery of our annual and long-term objectives. They will report to the Deputy Head of BAIS based in London. The role is at Vice President level and is based in Tokyo.  

Key responsibilities include:

• Demonstrating expertise in analysis of company performance, corporate governance and material sustainability-related practices.
• Preparing for, participating in, and leading, as appropriate engagement meetings with portfolio companies, often alongside active investors.
• Drafting records of engagement meetings and using them as the basis for preparing case studies on specific companies and themes.
• Developing fluency in and applying BAIS engagement priorities, and proxy voting policies.
• Monitoring, and participating in when appropriate, key industry initiatives that have impact on BAIS policies and practices.
• Contributing to data gathering, benchmarking and reporting to support voting decisions and policy positions.
• Preparing position papers to facilitate discussion with broader BlackRock audiences on governance and stewardship topics and developments.
• Collaborating across the team to identify ways to improve policy and business processes.
• Building strong relationships and collaborating with relevant counterparts within the active investment business and selectively contributing to cross-platform initiatives.

Key tasks involved in fulfilling these responsibilities include:

• Preparing for engagement with senior representatives of portfolio companies, including drafting memos in preparation for meetings highlighting key stewardship questions to address, informed by our own and third party research and analysis.
• Coordinating with active investors in fundamental equity and fixed income on engagement meeting agendas, questions and objectives.
• Participating in industry research groups and thematic initiatives with the active investment teams as appropriate.
• Attending, documenting and leading (as needed) engagement efforts, including recording research notes to be stored and shared with select audiences within BlackRock's active investment business.
• Monitoring policy developments to improve the relevance of BAIS' guidelines.
• Participating in peer benchmarking analysis and modeling to contribute to leading engagement and voting practices.
• Monitoring proxy voting workflow to ensure all accounts are voted as intended and are in accordance with the appropriate guidelines.
• Contributing to, and at times leading on, the development of BAIS position papers and reporting.
• Analyzing companies' shareholder meeting agendas and related materials in order to vote in the manner most consistent with BAIS' corporate governance policies and fiduciary responsibilities.
• Collaborating with client-facing and communications colleagues to ensure client reporting and client presentations meet expectations, and that client queries on corporate governance are responded to promptly and to the client's satisfaction.
• Reviewing the BAIS team's output and working practices to ensure risks are minimized and performance optimized.

Desired qualifications include:

• An undergraduate degree in finance, economics, accounting, political science, history, sustainability or other, relevant field.
• A minimum of 8 years of experience in investment management, investment banking, corporate finance, investor relations, consulting and/or legal roles. Experience in company-investor engagement and/or voting at shareholder meetings an advantage.  
• A demonstrated strong understanding of financial statements and corporate finance.
• Fluency in both Japanese and English.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to synthesize complex information and convey it in a clear and concise manner to senior-level audiences.
• A diligent, focused, and persistent work ethic to implement while leading multiple tasks and changing priorities.
• The ability to prioritize, analyze, and resolve complex issues under time pressure while maintaining consistent attention to detail.
• An organized, self-reliant, and self-motivated approach to responsibilities.
• A keen interest in corporate governance and material sustainable business practices.
• Collaborative working style, and strong interpersonal skills demonstrating the ability to build and maintain successful relationships with colleagues across the firm and with external parties.
• Proficiency using Excel, PowerPoint and other Microsoft products.

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.

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, family status, gender identity, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation and other protected attributes at law.