Vice President – Japan Product Development, Global Product Solutions (GPS)

About this role

Business:

Global Product Solutions (“GPS”) was formed with the mission to innovate, curate and commercialise the full breadth of our investment platform for what our clients need, wherever they are. The function is responsible for driving commercial investment priorities across the platform, innovating the next wave of products and solutions, and helping clients build better portfolios via actionable market and portfolio insights.

As the GPS Product Development Japan, we manage the product lifecycle for all type of strategies (passive, active, absolute return) and asset classes (cash, equity, fixed income, multi-asset, liquid alternatives, and private markets) which are delivered to wealth clients or institutional clients in unlisted format. We create product agenda with key stakeholders, structure them properly, deliver in disciplined manner, drive the product commercialization, and conduct the product governance.

Role Overview

• We are looking for a Vice President, Japan Product Development to lead the design, development, and commercialization of investment products in one of our most strategic markets.

• This is a high-impact role with direct influence on product strategy and business growth in Japan, at the intersection of investments, client needs, and business strategy.

• You will play a key role in shaping the future product strategy in Japan, working closely with investment teams, client businesses, and global partners to bring new ideas to life.

Responsibilities:

• Drive the team’s product development efforts including fund designs, launches, re-positionings and other changes with excellence in project management and intellectual integrity, across a wide range of client businesses and asset classes.

• Conduct market research to establish a fund’s viability in the market, customer appropriateness, competitor landscape, pricing and to capture apparent and potential clients’ needs.

• Partner with the investment teams and distribution teams to drive the product pipeline, product ideation, and commercialization.

• Drive the governance process throughout the product lifecycle by contributing to the smooth running of product committees enabling the development of new products and review of existing products and implementing re-positionings under the governance framework.

• Drive the team members to make decisions around the product strategy and drive product development in effective through data analyses and creation of presentation materials.

• Develop strong working relationships with other teams in the region, in particular Client Businesses, Investments Group, Business Operations and Legal & Compliance.

Skills & Qualifications: 

• 5+ years of relevant work experience in the investment funds industry or similar related businesses; candidates with transferable skills and strong interest in investment products are encouraged to apply.

• Exposure to product development, product strategy, or related fields

• Highly motivated self-starter with strong ability to multitask

• Character with high ethical and quality standards, integrity, gravitas, diplomacy and drive.

• Strong, collaborative, problem solving skills.

• Ability to adapt/learn quickly, work independently and clearly articulate ideas to both internal stakeholders and external audience.

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including ability to coordinate across multiple functions and stakeholders across the firm

• Fluency in Japanese with business level in English is preferred

• Proficient in Excel, Word and PowerPoint

Our benefits

To help you stay energized, engaged and inspired, we offer a wide range of benefits including a strong retirement plan, tuition reimbursement, comprehensive healthcare, support for working parents 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.

Guidance on AI use for candidates

At BlackRock, AI has long been part of how we work – enhancing decision-making, improving operations, and helping us deliver better outcomes for clients. We encourage candidates to use AI thoughtfully to learn, prepare, and work more effectively; but during our interview process, we want to focus on getting to know you through your own experiences, thinking, and judgment. To support you, we’ve provided guidance on when and how to use AI during our hiring process so you can approach each step with confidence and showcase your best self.

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.

To learn more about BlackRock, please visit Careers.BlackRock.com. We also encourage you to get to know us on LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube, X, and TikTok.

BlackRock is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.  We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to age, disability, family status, gender identity, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation and other protected attributes at law.