About this role
About this role:
BlackRock Real Estate is seeking a Director to lead on sustainable investing across its global investment platform. Based in London, this position will play a key role in partnering with the BlackRock’s Real Estate teams globally to lead on the development and implementation of sustainable investing and transition strategies, including advancement of sustainability throughout our investment processes and asset management activities. The role will also lead on sustainability reporting, benchmarking and sustainability regulatory compliance for BlackRock’s Real Estate platform, and will support client engagement, fundraising, research and product strategy initiatives. The individual will also be required to collaborate closely with sustainable investing leads across Equity Private Markets and Blackrock’s wider sustainability and investment teams.
BlackRock is seeking a highly motivated and ambitious individual interested in working in a fast-paced, international environment as a member of a closely knit team in the alternative investment industry. The candidate assumes a multi-faceted role which requires a passion for sustainable real estate, sustainable investing, deep industry experience and strong analytical and project management skills.
Key responsibilities:
The role will require knowledge and experience of working with the real estate industry and deep experience of sustainability. The individual will:
Lead the development and implementation of sustainable and transition investing strategies across BlackRock’s global Real Estate platform;
Lead the integration of environmental, social and governance criteria in investment processes, including supporting relevant investment due diligence and ongoing asset management activities and initiatives;
Lead the development of ESG questionnaires, processes and other tools to support the integration of sustainability considerations, including risks and opportunities, throughout our investment processes
Partner with our global Real Estate teams and appointed property managers and consultants to coordinate the collation, management and analysis of environmental performance data and other ESG metrics across our portfolios.
Partner with our global Real Estate teams and appointed consultants to establish asset-level and portfolio-level sustainability performance objectives, targets and key performance indicators, including greenhouse gas emission reduction and net zero alignment pathways and targets.
Provide input and guidance to investment teams on asset-specific sustainability projects, asset management initiatives and associated budgeting.
Contribute to product strategy and research across BlackRock’s wider Real Estate and Equity Private Markets platforms.
Lead the management and submission of our investment portfolios into relevant sustainability benchmarks, including our annual submissions into GRESB (formerly the Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark) and the UN PRI.
Oversee the compliance of BlackRock Real Estate’s investment strategies with relevant sustainability regulatory requirements, such as SFDR.
Support client engagement activities, including fundraising and other capital raising activities.
Partner with BlackRock’s Corporate Sustainability Team on the contribution to BlackRock’s wider sustainability publications, including our annual TCFD, CDP and SASB-aligned disclosures.
Coordinate responses for sustainability-related RFPs, DDQs and other client requests for the Real Estate platform.
Support the development of sustainability-related client materials, case studies and other external reporting for BlackRock Real Estate.
Represent BlackRock Real Estate in relevant industry groups and at external conferences, forums and other industry events.
Partner with sustainable investing leads across Equity Private Markets and Blackrock’s wider sustainability and investment teams.
Qualifications:
Candidates are expected to have a strong academic background and highly rated in their careers to date
Relevant undergraduate university degree, preferably in finance, economics, real estate, environmental science or sustainability management, is essential
MBA and/or other advanced degree is helpful
Experience and skills:
10+ years’ relevant industry experience in a professional environment in the real estate and sustainable investing sectors
Deep existing network in real estate, and preferably sustainable real estate, providing a strong basis for research collaboration, knowledge sharing and industry leadership
Understanding of current, and forthcoming, sustainability regulation, specifically those that apply to the built environment
Experience with international green building certifications and energy ratings would be preferable
Strong leadership, management, teamworking and communication skills
Operational experience and technical knowledge of property management would be preferred
Attention to detail and a strong process-oriented approach to their work
Proven project management and organisation skills
Persuasive and polished written and oral communication skills capable of dealing with internal and external teams
Ability to effectively distil complex concepts into clear and simple themes
Team player with strong interpersonal skills that can be leveraged for our fundraising efforts
Demonstrates entrepreneurial spirit and willing to assume additional responsibilities
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: www.linkedin.com/company/blackrock
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.