About this role

About Aladdin Data (AD)

Data is at the heart of Aladdin, and increasingly the ability to acquire, store, analyse and gain insight from data has become a key component of our competitive advantage. The Aladdin Data (AD) team is responsible for the data ecosystem within BlackRock. Our goal is to build and maintain a leading-edge Enterprise Data Platform (EDP) that provides highly available, consistent data of the highest quality for all users of the platform, notably investors, operations teams and data analysts both internally, and at investment management firms around the world.

Members of the AD team get to experience working at one of the most recognized financial companies in the world while being part of the team designing and building a next generation Enterprise Data platform to automate data acquisition, ingestion, transformation, and distribution processes, and to support enterprise-wide data processing. Our product managers and engineers design and build data systems to solve some of the most complex technical and business data management problems in the industry, and they partner with data and analytics experts to deliver high quality analytical and derived data to our internal and external customers.

About this role

We are looking for a senior Director of Product to help us drive the continued growth and adoption of EDP across BlackRock, specifically by expanding access to data for Artificial Intelligence models and agents.  In this role, you will work with our AI users and product teams, and with the wider data platform product management and engineering teams to develop the vision, create the strategy, and define and drive the execution of the EDP components that support acquiring, processing, storing, delivering, and managing data for use by AI, and to ensure that the platform continues to meet the rapidly evolving needs of our organization and our clients.

Responsibilities:

• Establish the Strategic Vision: Establish a compelling end state vision and strategic delivery roadmap to evolve EDP’s acquisition, management, and delivery of data for AI use cases. Ensure alignment to the key stakeholders’ business outcomes, to EDP’s technical architecture, and to the firm’s enterprise architecture standards.
• Manage Data Risks: Partner with the data Governance, data Stewardship, AI product teams, and end users to design and implement robust metadata-driven controls that mitigate both general data risks and the specific risks of using data for AI use cases.  Ensure data is quality controlled, secured appropriately, and in compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and contracts.
• Maintain Situational Awareness: Stay abreast of industry trends, regulatory changes, market offerings, and customer feedback to inform product decisions and maintain our competitive edge.
• Product Manage the AI Data Platform: Lead the end-to-end product lifecycle from ideation to delivery, ensuring the timely and successful release of features and enhancements to support AI use cases at scale.
• Engage Stakeholders: Collaborate closely with internal and external stakeholders - including engineering teams, business analysts, and end customers - to gather requirements and to scope and prioritize initiatives that support those requirements.
• Delight Users: Champion a user-centric approach to product development, focusing on usability, intuitiveness, and overall user satisfaction.
• Evangelize and Drive Adoption: Promote adoption of EDP’s AI capabilities across the organization, providing training, documentation, and support as needed. Act as a vocal advocate for the product both internally and externally.
• Monitor Performance: Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) and metrics to track the success and effectiveness of EDP’s support for AI, iterating based on insights and feedback.
• Develop the Product Team: Help to mentor and grow the next generation of BlackRock product managers, helping to mature the team’s operating model and working practices.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Technology, Business, or related field; advanced degree preferred.
• Minimum of 8 years of experience relevant to the above responsibilities, with at least 5 years focused on data management or related domains
• Experience acquiring, inventorying, processing, storing, and delivering structured, semi-structured, and unstructured data for Artificial Intelligence use cases, including model training and supplying data for Retrieval Augmented Generative AI (RAG) agents.
• Experience leading and developing globally distributed product management teams.
• Proven track record of successfully leading product initiatives within complex enterprise environments.
• Experience leading the definition and development of commercial products and go-to-market strategies.
• Familiarity with data cataloging concepts and tools, metadata management principles, and data governance best practices.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to acquire and translate data-driven insights into actionable product strategies.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively engage and influence both technical and business stakeholders at all levels of the organization.
• Experience working with global cross-functional teams in a scaled agile development environment.
• Experience using industry standard product management tools and technologies, e.g. Aha, Miro, Visio, Microsoft ADO, 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.

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.

For additional information on BlackRock, please visit @blackrock | Twitter: @blackrock | LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/blackrock

BlackRock is proud to be an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer.  We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, protected veteran status, and other statuses protected by law.