Product Innovation Associate

About this role

About BlackRock

BlackRock is one of the world’s leading asset management firms and a premier provider of investment management, risk management, and advisory services to institutional, intermediary, and individual investors globally. Our purpose is to help more and more people experience financial well‑being.

Associate / Vice President, Global Product Solutions – U.S. iShares Product Innovation

Global Product Solutions (GPS) partners across BlackRock to shape product strategy and drive commercial outcomes for the firm’s investment businesses. Within GPS, the U.S. iShares Product Innovation team plays a central role in setting the product development agenda for the world’s largest ETF franchise. iShares has led the ETF industry for more than two decades, with over 450 ETFs in the U.S. Today, our ambition is to accelerate growth, expand ETF use cases, and strengthen iShares’ leadership position —driving mid‑ to high‑single‑digit organic growth across market cycles.

About the Role

The Associate / Vice President, U.S. iShares Product Innovation will help lead the research, design and launch of new ETFs, as well as enhancements of existing ETFs, within a designated product pillar across the U.S. iShares platform. The role will help shape the direction of our product pipeline through industry analysis, competitive intelligence, index methodology research, investment strategy due diligence, and product development initiatives. The individual will partner across several BlackRock teams to develop actionable insights,  support strategic innovation initiatives, and contribute to decisions that expand ETF use cases and strengthen iShares' leadership position. Success in this role requires strong analytical judgment, intellectual curiosity, and the ability to navigate ambiguity while synthesizing complex inputs into clear product recommendations and executable launch plans.

Key responsibilities

Industry Research & Innovation Prioritization

• Analyze industry trends, competitor filings, product launches, and fund flows to identify emerging investor demand and uncover new product opportunities.

• Partner with product strategy, distribution, and portfolio management teams to evaluate investment merit, commercial appeal, and strategic fit of new product ideas to determine key areas of focus and prioritize development

• Assess new investment themes, product structures, and market instruments to identify scalable new ETF opportunities

Product Research & Development

• Evaluate and recommend the optimal implementation approach for prioritized innovation ideas, including product structuring and strategy selection considerations

• Develop construction methodologies and evaluate portfolio simulations to determine the most effective approach for delivering the targeted investment objectives

• Collaborate with index providers and ETF ecosystem partners to stay ahead of emerging methodologies, data sets, and structuring capabilities

Cross-Functional Collaboration and New Product Advocacy

• Prepare and present investment cases and product proposals to senior leadership, governance committees, and other approval forums. Serve as a subject matter expert on new products

• Build strong partnerships across the organization to advance innovation priorities. Translate complex product concepts into clear, actionable recommendations for both technical and non-technical audience

Experience / Qualifications:

• Prior experience in asset management, portfolio management, trading, index provider, or investment banking. ETF experience preferred. Experience with systematic equity, commodity investing, or index research is a plus)

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to evaluate complex issues and develop recommendations

• Demonstrated ability to deliver high-quality results in a fast-paced environment

• Strong communication skills and experience developing presentations and analyses for senior audiences

• High degree of professionalism, judgment, and attention to detail

Skills / Knowledge:

• Technical Skills: strong data and/or portfolio analytical skills; familiarity with python and 3rd party data sources (Bloomberg, Morningstar, etc); experience with leveraging AI for automation or data analytics

• Strategic Thinking: Ability to structure business problems and develop data-driven insights

• Project Management: Strong organizational skills and ability to manage key deadlines

• Markets & Product Insight: Understanding of ETF product structuring, index methodologies, or portfolio management

• Communication: Ability to synthesize complex information into concise, actionable recommendations

• Collaboration: Team-oriented mindset with the ability to work effectively across functions and level

For San Francisco, CA and New York, NY Only the salary range for this position is USD$150,000.00 - USD$200,000.00 . Additionally, employees are eligible for an annual discretionary bonus, and benefits including healthcare, leave benefits, and retirement benefits. BlackRock operates a pay-for-performance compensation philosophy and your total compensation may vary based on role, location, and firm, department and individual performance.

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.

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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 workplace. We are committed to equal employment opportunity to all applicants and existing employees, and we evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, creed, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity/expression), sexual orientation, age, ancestry, physical or mental disability, marital status, political affiliation, religion, citizenship status, genetic information, veteran status, or any other basis protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. View the EEOC’s Know Your Rights poster and its supplement and the pay transparency statement.

BlackRock is committed to full inclusion of all qualified individuals and to providing reasonable accommodations or job modifications for individuals with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation/adjustments are needed throughout the employment process, please email Disability.Assistance@blackrock.com. All requests are treated in line with our privacy policy.

BlackRock will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records in a manner consistent with the requirements of the law, including any applicable fair chance law.