About this role

About this role

BlackRock Advisors (UK) Limited is seeking a highly motivated and experienced attorney to join our newly established branch in the Abu Dhabi Global Markets. As a Vice President, you will provide legal support and advice across a wide range of business and operational activities.

Based in Abu Dhabi, you will work closely with regional management and cross-functional teams to address legal, regulatory, and business issues related to the new branch. Your responsibilities will include drafting and negotiating contracts, assisting with corporate governance matters, and supporting the overall operations of our business in the Middle East.

We are looking for a candidate with a minimum of 5 years of relevant work experience in the legal field. A strong understanding of corporate law and the local regulatory landscape and a proven ability to navigate complex legal landscapes are essential. The ideal candidate will be self-directed, adaptable, and capable of working independently within a dynamic and fast-paced environment.

• Provide proactive and practical, commercial guidance and legal support to the BlackRock business activities ((including Financial Markets Advisory, Investment Teams and Institutional Sales) in ADGM specially as well as supporting the Regional Counsel on the Middle East region as a whole;
• Draft and implement relevant contracts in the field of asset management (e.g. investment management agreements, model advisory agreements, co-marketing agreements, partnership agreements; distribution agreements; license agreements; intra-group services agreements; non-disclosure agreements);
• Provide legal coverage for the locally domiciled Funds or investment vehicles managed by BlackRock (drafting and implementation of changes and addition of new sub-funds in fund contracts and prospectuses)
• Monitor and ensure timely implementation of impending legal and regulatory developments that affect the ADGM branch and the UAE more broadly;
• Commission external legal advice where appropriate, ensuring quality advice is delivered, manage the local counsel relationships and budget requirements;
• Develop and actively manage internal client relationships;
• Liaise and work closely with local Compliance Officer, the Regional Counsel and other members of BlackRock Legal & Compliance regionally and globally
• Establish in collaboration with Compliance and the Regional Counsel appropriate relationship with the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (and other relevant regulatory bodies) in close conjunction with the leadership of BlackRock in the region, and ongoing management of that relationship;
• Work in a fast-paced and business-oriented environment with business groups throughout BlackRock.

• Knowledge of relevant laws and regulations for fund management and asset management activities in ADGM, as well as the structuring and promotion of BlackRock products.

• Currently licensed, admitted to practice, and with a Law degree (or equivalent qualification) from an accredited top-tier law school;
• Practice licence
• 5+ years of hands-on experience either in-house or with an established law firm
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in both English and Arabic.

• Manages multiple time sensitive matters in a demanding, fast-paced and dynamic environment;
• Strong negotiation and presentation techniques;
• Takes ownership of legal matters, checking and escalating where appropriate with colleagues;
• Seeks to understand the businesses, products and processes which are supported;
• Communicates complex concepts in an understandable way at all levels of the firm in verbal and written form;
• Coordinates complex projects involving different business groups;
• Business and solution-oriented approach to interacting and working with clients;
• Rejects shortcuts that could compromise quality of service and follows internal policies and procedures;
• Dynamic and positive personality with networking ability and strong team work skills;
• Demonstrates strong judgment and skills in time management and prioritisation.