Group Privacy and Data Protection Director

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. Headquartered in New York City, the firm has over 14,000 employees in 38 countries.

Business Unit Overview

Blackrock’s Legal and Compliance Department protects Blackrock’s reputation and provides client focused advice. It understands challenges and advises 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 to translate Compliance into their daily work

• Have client interests at the centre of everything we do

• Cultivate and enhance the compliance culture within BlackRock

• Provide thought leadership on the impact and implementation of regulation

• Developing and fostering excellence within the Compliance team

Role Description

The Director will be a versatile team player, display leadership qualities, and be enthusiastic in addressing new challenges. This role is within the Group Privacy and Data Protection team, reporting directly to the Global Head of Privacy and Data Protection.

The successful candidate will be involved in and lead global privacy initiatives, interacting on a regular basis with Legal & Compliance, Information Security, Technology, Business, and Internal Audit groups as well as with senior leadership teams, and may represent BlackRock externally on privacy matters.

Candidates must have a proven track record of providing sound and practical privacy compliance advice in complex situations and must be able to demonstrate an ability to communicate and influence others.

Key Responsibilities:

• Support the Global Head of Privacy and Data Protection in implementing the Global Privacy and Data Protection Policy and framework

• Taking a leading role in the team from a US perspective, under the supervision and guidance of the Global Head

• Provide advice on the application of privacy and data protection laws to any situation to all business and group control functions as required

• Lead and advise as a subject matter expert on privacy and data protection issues in firm-wide strategic initiatives

• Assist in the development and maintenance of policies, standards and procedures that support global privacy program objectives

• Identify privacy risks, trends, vulnerabilities, research solutions and provide advice on risk mitigation

• Conduct privacy impact assessments to evaluate compliance with laws, regulations, and internal standards, identify risks and advise on mitigating actions that should be taken

• Partner with control and oversight groups to create, maintain, test, and monitor for privacy and data protection compliance

• Represent BlackRock in industry organizations, regulatory and legislative meetings, as necessary

Knowledge/Experience:

• 5 years experience

• Relevant legal and/or privacy qualification desirable

• In-depth understanding of privacy and data protection laws throughout the BlackRock footprint

• Proven ability to interpret and apply privacy and data protection law

• Direct experience working in financial services is highly desired 

• Ability to motivate and negotiate effectively with key stakeholders at all levels of seniority

• Ability to build rapport with key stakeholders to identify privacy risks/trends and stay abreast of new products/initiatives

• Demonstrated leadership and partnering skills, plus excellent verbal and written communication skills, with focus on informing, influencing and relationship building

• Experience or familiarity with conducting privacy risk assessments in diverse operational environments

• Strong project management and coordination skills with proven ability to meet deadlines, prioritize assignments and manage multiple projects

• Committed to thinking and acting with integrity and honesty

• Motivated self-starter with strong attention to detail