Senior Writer Job Listing at BlackRock in New York, NY

Financial Services

Title: Senior Writer
Location: New York, NY

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.

BlackRock is proud to be an E-Verify & Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer—M/F/D/V.

BlackRock, Inc., is poised to change the way the world of investors views the financial services industry. Respected and trusted by the world’s largest institutions and governments for its foresight, advice and risk management capabilities, BlackRock is still relatively unknown to many financial intermediaries and end-investors around the world. BlackRock is enhancing its marketing and communications functions to change this.

In May 2011, BlackRock appointed Linda Gosden Robinson as the company’s Global Head of Marketing and Communication, and Jim Badenhausen as Global Head of Corporate Communications, as part of a firm-wide emphasis on centralizing and improving communications, branding, and overall marketing and reputation management activities. Over the past several months, the new team has conducted a comprehensive review of BlackRock’s branding and communications strategies, and is in the process of refining and improving that strategy on a global basis.

As part of this effort, BlackRock is seeking outstanding senior writers to serve as core members of BlackRock’s new brand working group as well as supporting related writing needs in corporate communications. These writers will immerse themselves in the firm’s branding efforts and play a central role as the brand working group seeks to articulate and convey the brand idea to various audiences. In the idea generation phase, they would help to synthesize and interpret research from multiple audiences and develop materials to support and convey the brand strategy.

As the brand project moves toward execution, the writers would be involved in drafting materials that communicate the brand idea to the company’s various audiences. These must be superb writers who can craft a diverse array of written materials – from internal memos, to media talking points, to op-eds, to press releases, to executive speeches – on tight time frames. These positions will report to BlackRock's Global Head of Corporate Communications in New York.

This seasoned professional must have in-depth knowledge and understanding of the financial services and asset management industry, combined with an extraordinary intellect and outstanding executive presence and sense of gravitas.

Major Responsibilities


Immerse in the development of BlackRock’s new branding and communication strategy, and help clarify and advance the process by asking insightful questions, offering ideas and suggestions, and creating written copy that serves as a catalyst for discussion, refinement, and ultimate communication of the new strategy.
Research and write outstanding communication materials about complex and nuanced concepts.
Leverage strong analytical skills and intellectual curiosity to produce written materials that engage and inspire.
Understand journalism brevity, creative interpretation and changing voice/style and utilize appropriately.
Adjust writing styles, topics and direction with little effort.
Effectively align content with business strategy.
Work collaboratively with members of the marketing and corporate communications team and senior business leaders.
Participate in brain storming and idea-generating sessions.
Think strategically while being able to roll-up one's sleeves and be flexible/adaptable.
Communicate BlackRock’s brand idea to various audiences
Ideal Experience


10 years of journalism or business writing experience in a rigorous, demanding, high-energy environment.
Outstanding writing skills.
Experience writing various forms of written materials ranging from: media talking points, internal memos, opinion editorials, executive speeches in an extremely fast paced environment.
Experience writing in a wide range of media and delivering content to various audiences, including internal and external communications
Familiarity with the issues relevant to global financial services or asset management.
Demonstrated success in delivering results across multiple platforms and to multiple audiences in support of strategic objectives, in a complex environment.
Well developed skills in analysis, problem-solving and critical thinking
Proven record of operating within tight deadlines and delivering high quality written products.
Experience working in a collaborative, team oriented environment.
Comfortable working with professionals at all levels of an organization, including senior members of a high performance leadership team.
Bachelor degree required, advanced degree a plus.


BlackRock is proud to be an E-Verify & Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer—M/F/D/V.Job: Marketing/CommunicationsOrganization: GMC-Executive