Director, Institutional Product Strategy & Strategic Initiatives – iShares Japan

About this role

Your Team

The mission of Global Product Solutions (GPS) is to bring the right products and solutions, in the right way, at the right time to help clients meet their goals. GPS partners across the firm to lead iShares and drive the business priorities of BlackRock's investment businesses. The team innovates on new products and solutions, curates and commercializes product offerings across client channels, develops insights to support portfolio construction and investment decision-making, and helps drive growth across the platform.

Your Role and Impact

BlackRock is seeking an experienced, commercially minded professional to join iShares Japan in a senior role combining leadership of Institutional Product Strategy with broader responsibility for strategic initiatives across the iShares platform.

The successful candidate will lead product strategy and commercialization for Japanese institutional clients across equity and fixed income ETFs, including active and index strategies spanning Japanese-listed, U.S. 40 Act and UCITS products. Beyond traditional Product Strategy responsibilities, this individual will work closely with the iShares Japan leadership team to shape and execute franchise priorities, including new product launches, fundraising campaigns, strategic partnerships and platform development.

This is a unique opportunity to combine deep investment expertise with commercial ownership and strategic leadership while helping shape the future of iShares in one of the world's largest investment markets.

Your Responsibilities

At BlackRock, responsibilities are designed to evolve with the needs of our clients and business. Responsibilities may include, but are not limited to:

Institutional Product Strategy

• Lead Institutional Product Strategy for iShares Japan, serving as a senior product expert and strategic partner to the Japan Institutional Client Business.
• Develop and execute commercial strategies across equity and fixed income ETFs, spanning active and index strategies and domestic and international product ranges.
• Provide investment expertise, portfolio construction insights, competitive analysis and differentiated product positioning to support client engagement and asset growth.
• Partner with global and regional iShares and PMG Product Strategy teams to translate BlackRock's global investment capabilities into compelling solutions for Japanese investors.
• Develop thought leadership, market insights and educational content to expand institutional ETF adoption and deepen client engagement.

Commercial Strategy & Strategic Initiatives

• Partner with the iShares Japan leadership team to shape franchise priorities, contribute to strategic planning and participate in business performance reviews.
• Lead selected strategic initiatives across the iShares platform, including product launches, targeted fundraising campaigns, distribution partnerships and platform enhancements.
• Identify and evaluate new growth opportunities, incorporating client demand, competitive dynamics, commercial potential and operational feasibility.
• Coordinate cross-functional execution with the client business, global GPS, BGM, PMG, T&O, L&C and other partner functions.
• Drive initiatives from strategy through implementation, ensuring clear accountability, effective stakeholder alignment and measurable commercial outcomes.

Global Connectivity & Leadership

• Serve as a key link between iShares Japan and BlackRock's global investment, product and commercialization teams, bringing international perspectives and capabilities to the Japanese market.
• Build strong relationships across the organisation, influencing senior stakeholders and driving collaboration across business and functional boundaries.
• Contribute to the broader leadership and development of the iShares Japan franchise, bringing an entrepreneurial mindset and a commitment to innovation and execution.

Your Experience

• Significant experience in asset management, product strategy, investment advisory or a related investment discipline, with strong knowledge of ETFs and institutional investing.
• Understanding of equity and fixed income investment strategies, including active and index approaches; experience with UCITS, U.S.-listed ETFs and/or international investment products is advantageous.
• Demonstrated ability to translate investment expertise into commercial strategies, compelling client propositions and business growth.
• Strong strategic and analytical capabilities, with experience leading complex, cross-functional initiatives from concept through execution.
• Excellent communication, relationship management and stakeholder influencing skills, including credibility with senior investment professionals and business leaders.
• Entrepreneurial, collaborative and intellectually curious, with the ability to balance detailed investment analysis with broader strategic priorities.
• Strong written and spoken English; Japanese language skills and knowledge of the Japanese investment market are advantageous but not required.
• Demonstrated curiosity and comfort in leveraging emerging technologies, including Generative AI tools and intelligent agents.

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.