Chief Operating Officer (COO), Growth Debt – Vice President / Director Full Time

BlackRock’s integrated global credit platform invests across the spectrum of risk, geography and liquidity. Our dedicated private credit professionals leverage extensive industry relationships across direct lending, venture & growth debt, opportunistic and special situations markets with locations spanning 19 cities around the world. This reach allows us to offer clients’ a “boots on the ground” approach that pairs local expertise with BlackRock’s expansive global network.

Venture Debt & Growth Investment:

In August 2023 BlackRock acquired Kreos Capital, the leading venture and growth debt fund manager across Europe and Israel, focused on investing in high-growth companies in the technology and healthcare sector through every stage of their growth life cycle, from entry-level growth, mid-stage development, through to late stage & pre-IPO / exit funding, as well as publicly listed growth funding.

We are looking to add an experienced and energized operational professional to our leadership team in London. The successful candidate will likely have experience in fund management and be adept at navigating complexities and solving problems across various fronts in a high-tempo environment.

The existing COO is relocating within BlackRock to the Middle East and will remain available to support the incoming Growth Debt COO, presenting an excellent opportunity for the ideal candidate to learn and develop under the guidance of the current COO.

The Growth Debt COO is a pivotal part of our business, both in London and in collaboration with offices in Dublin, Stockholm and Tel Aviv. This role encompasses a broad range of responsibilities and serves as the connective tissue to the wider Private Debt platform and BlackRock. The individual must be a highly personable team player who can effectively influence without formal authority to achieve the desired outcomes when engaging across the Firm.

This individual will be part of the senior team that delivers the Growth Debt strategy within the BlackRock Private Debt platform.

Key Responsibilities:

Tax and Finance:

Collaborate with various internal stakeholders, including the BlackRock Tax and Finance middle office teams on several core activities.  These activities include:

• Working with tax on filings, fund-level strategy and structuring, among other topics.
• Collaborating with Finance and the middle office on producing quarterly reports, overseeing the annual audited financial statements of the Growth Debt funds and assisting corporate accounting as appropriate.
• Having a working knowledge of carried interest models to oversee current awards and manage the EBT scheme.

Portfolio Management:

• A key aspect of the role is overseeing the Growth Debt CorePM team across various activities, including portfolio monitoring, data analytics, fund cash flow management, hedging for non-Euro funds, and portfolio data analytics. The team also leads the preparation of quarterly portfolio reviews, is integral to the valuations process, and manages the business’s watchlists and fund restrictions.

Compensation and HR:

• As part of the COO Group, the individual will play a key role in several HR and compensation-related processes, including the legacy Kreos Carried Interest scheme and will be a point person for HR-related matters in coordination with the COO function and HR.

Legal and Compliance:

• The Growth COO partners across BlackRock’s three lines of defense – Legal, Compliance, Risk, and Internal Audit – to ensure that the business meets its regulatory obligations and sets standards of best practice in terms of on-desk policy and procedures.

Product oversight and delivery:

• The Growth Debt COO owns the structuring, legal and tax strategy on any new BLK Growth Debt Fund within the BlackRock architecture. This will require an ability to engage across multiple internal teams – Legal, Compliance, Tax, Product Group, and regional leadership – at various leadership levels, as well as LPs to drive a successful outcome.
• The successful candidate should also have experience in the oversight of various client/stakeholder reporting, including Track Record Package, RFPs, and DDQs.

Our investors expect a first-class experience; the Growth Debt COO partners with Product Strategy (Investor Relations) to ensure this and to seek continuous improvement in the delivery.

Skills and Experience:

• Excellent operational experience, skill set, and willingness to continue learning.
• Operational knowledge of portfolio monitoring analytics, currency hedging, and fund cash flow management.
• Experience in Carried Interest models.
• Willingness and interest to work across the broader portfolio.
• Motivated team player and flexible in approach with the ability to work independently.
• Must demonstrate integrity and alignment with BlackRock’s principles and commitment as a trusted fiduciary to our clients.
• Flexible, responsive with keen attention to detail.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills – presents ideas in a clear, concise and constructive manner.
• Ability to build strong relationships with internal parties, portfolio companies, and VC/Equity sponsors.
• Ability to direct the structuring of a transaction, manage transaction processes with internal and external parties, and work with originators to complete investment opportunities.
• Open-minded thought process and intellectual honesty with an ability to dynamically adapt to coverage of different products.

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.

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