Financial Crime Compliance, Associate (based in Dublin)

at  BlackRock

Description
About this role
Job Description
Financial Crime Compliance, Associate (based in Dublin)
Legal and Compliance at BlackRock

BlackRock’s Global Compliance Department protects BlackRock’s reputation and provides advice to the business focused on ensuring the protection of our client’s best interests. The department is a dynamic environment with the team focused on understanding evolving business strategy, challenging and advising on the impact of regulation in our business, with the objective of:

• Actively participating in business decisions to champion our clients’ interests and assist the business in translating Compliance into their daily work and decision making;
• Putting client interests at the center of everything we do;
• Cultivating and enhancing BlackRock’s compliance culture;
• Providing thought leadership on the impact and implementation of regulation to our business and to the market; and
• Developing and fostering excellence within the Compliance team

Role Description:
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an Associate to join our team in Ireland. The role is to provide anti-money laundering and counter terrorist financing (“AML/CTF”) coverage for the business in Ireland. There will also be an opportunity to work across other financial crime risk areas, including sanctions, bribery and corruption and fraud, and knowledge or experience of these will be an advantage. The primary purpose of the role, however, is to assist the Irish MLRO implement an AML/CTF programme to meet the relevant requirements for the local funds, registered DACs and SPVs, the UCITS Management Company and all associated Boards. Subject matter expertise in EU and Irish AML/CTF programmes is a requirement. The role will involve working with a number of financial crime specialists in the London office and the team in Ireland to assist with the management of BlackRock’s presence in Ireland, which includes retail and alternative fund platforms. The role is located in Ireland.
The candidate will report into the Irish MLRO and assist them to meet their responsibility for delivering, for Ireland, a financial crime strategy and framework in relation to all four financial crime risks articulated above.

Key Responsibilities:

• Aid the enhancement of the AML/CTF risk management framework in Ireland, including enhancing local policy requirements and procedures and ensuring that they are embedded within business area in the region;
• Coordinate with the Financial Crime colleagues as necessary on the Financial Crime risk framework priorities and assist in the oversight of required regulatory change management processes;
• Assist in the completion of annual AML Risk Assessments related to Irish domiciled entities;
• Support relevant audits, regulatory visits and examinations for financial crime in Ireland.
• Help to develop metrics to measure the success of the programme and execute governance and management reporting.
• Provide clear technical advice, guidance and training to the management company, officers and Boards.
• Help to establish and maintain a monitoring program in Ireland, which provides ongoing review and monitoring of the financial crime risks, including around Alternative funds.
• Where required provide a point of contact for financial crime queries related to complex transactions and high-risk client onboardings.
• Providing advice related to PEPs approval.
• Partner with Legal to assist in oversight and compliance with AML/CTF requirements.
• Ensure the active identification, response and/or escalation of risks as appropriate
• Assist in the production and presentation of ad-hoc and regular reports to Boards and senior management, as well for the EMEA and Global Heads of Financial Crime
• Form strong relationships with key individuals within the business, compliance and operations.

Development Value:

• Although there is an existing framework in place, a dedicated financial crime team based in Ireland is relatively new and as such there is some capacity for the successful candidate to help the Irish MLRO develop the local programme to the needs of a supporting dynamic and growing global business. The individual will gain an appreciation of BlackRock’s operations in Europe and our global approach to managing regulatory and compliance risks in the EU. This role will have interaction with senior Business, Compliance and Legal stakeholders.

Knowledge/Experience:

The successful candidate should have

• 3+ years of experience in Financial Crime Compliance risk management at other financial institutions or consulting firms; experience working as Financial Crime specialist within asset management is a strong advantage but is not essential.
• Strong knowledge of Financial Crime regulations, financial services, and regulatory trends that impact the Asset Management industry, its products and/or its underlying institutional and corporate client base
• Experience of policy and procedure writing and be confident in performing risk assessments and undertaking monitoring and testing.
• A strong understanding of the requirements of an Irish AML program and EU regulatory requirements, and the role of transfer agents, distributors and other third parties is necessary. Experience and knowledge of the Alternatives funds business, including entities registered under Schedule II, would be a distinct advantage.
• Strong working knowledge of Irish AML and Sanctions laws and regulations. An understanding of Fraud and Anti-Bribery and Corruption is a plus.
• Experience of participation in supervisory exams would be an advantage.
• A proactive approach to business issues, identifying areas of improvement and enhancement including the automation of processes
• Excellent communication, judgment and business partnership skills, including working as part of a global team in a fast-paced environment.

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.

• Aid the enhancement of the AML/CTF risk management framework in Ireland, including enhancing local policy requirements and procedures and ensuring that they are embedded within business area in the region;
• Coordinate with the Financial Crime colleagues as necessary on the Financial Crime risk framework priorities and assist in the oversight of required regulatory change management processes;
• Assist in the completion of annual AML Risk Assessments related to Irish domiciled entities;
• Support relevant audits, regulatory visits and examinations for financial crime in Ireland.
• Help to develop metrics to measure the success of the programme and execute governance and management reporting.
• Provide clear technical advice, guidance and training to the management company, officers and Boards.
• Help to establish and maintain a monitoring program in Ireland, which provides ongoing review and monitoring of the financial crime risks, including around Alternative funds.
• Where required provide a point of contact for financial crime queries related to complex transactions and high-risk client onboardings.
• Providing advice related to PEPs approval.
• Partner with Legal to assist in oversight and compliance with AML/CTF requirements.
• Ensure the active identification, response and/or escalation of risks as appropriate
• Assist in the production and presentation of ad-hoc and regular reports to Boards and senior management, as well for the EMEA and Global Heads of Financial Crime
• Form strong relationships with key individuals within the business, compliance and operations