Vice President, Alternatives Fund Tax

About this role

To replace a departing Vice President, a hire is required in London to join the global BlackRock Private Markets Tax Team. The team comprises 30+ staff located in the US, UK and Hong Kong and is co headed by two Managing Directors based in New York.

About BlackRock

BlackRock is the world's largest asset management company, listed on the NYSE (ticker: BLK) and headquartered in New York. The Private Markets team oversees investment management, strategic planning and oversight across BlackRock's $450+ billion alternatives investment platform.

BlackRock Private Markets focus

• Private equity solutions
• Infrastructure solutions
• Secondaries solutions
• Direct private equity and venture capital
• Private credit (Mortgage securitization / CLOs / direct lending)
• Private infrastructure (equity and debt)
• Real estate (equity and debt)
• Hedge fund solutions
• Alternative solutions
• Direct hedge funds

Role description

This in house role focuses on tax advising, compliance and structuring of BlackRock's private markets investment platform, supporting private equity, secondaries and hedge fund of funds business lines.

• Provide hands on tax support to the private markets business areas.
• Oversee and input on documentation and tax due diligence on selected investments; work with business teams and external advisors to mitigate identified tax risks.
• Structure investments and investment holding structures and understand the overall impact of fund structures.
• Review and negotiate legal documentation for transactions with legal and tax advisors.
• Oversee Big 4 and law firm deal teams advising on such transactions.
• Oversee European tax reporting compliance work relating to products (German CFC reporting, PFIC reporting, Swiss transfer tax reporting, etc.).
• Monitor domestic and international tax laws and advise on impact on investment structures.
• Assist in development of robust tax related processes and procedures as the platform expands.
• Work with the wider Product Tax team on matters arising that impact BlackRock's broader product offering.

Reporting line

The roleholder reports to a Managing Director in New York, who in turn reports to the co head of the Private Markets Tax team. The role involves working with members of the global Private Markets Tax Team (US, EMEA, Asia Pac) and the broader Product Tax Team.

Key responsibilities

• Advise on new product tax work, including fund structuring, product strategy development, tax structuring and documentation review, and ongoing tax oversight for associated fund vehicles.
• Advise on tax matters concerning investment acquisitions, underlying structures and transactional documents.
• Communicate with investors and sponsors regarding tax requests and queries, and engage on tax provisions in legal documents.
• Assist BlackRock's client relations, sales and marketing teams with client communications.
• Liaise closely with the global Private Markets Tax Team responsible for the business lines in respective regions.
• Assist with oversight of EMEA tax reporting compliance work outsourced to external advisors.
• Support product development teams in evaluating and developing new products with practical tax input.
• Undertake necessary tax due diligence and setup needed for new fund launches and investments.
• Monitor tax technical developments affecting these funds and respond as necessary.
• Build robust practices and efficiencies with respect to tax policies and operational processes.

Skills and experience - Required

• Experience working in practice, either at a law firm, a Big 4 accountancy firm or in house at a private markets asset manager.
• Knowledge of tax aspects of private funds and fund of funds, including hedge, private equity and secondaries.
• Understanding of fund and SPV structures for alternative investments.
• Experience reviewing tax provisions of LPAs, PPMs, side letters and transactional documents such as purchase and sale agreements.
• At least 5 + years' experience.

Aptitudes

• Communicate complex tax issues clearly and concisely to a wide range of audiences.
• Work effectively within a large in house tax team and with cross border, multidisciplinary business and project teams.
• Perform effectively in a fast paced environment.

Our benefits

We offer a wide range of employee benefits including retirement investment plans, education reimbursement, comprehensive health and wellness resources, family support programs and Flexible Time Off (FTO) to help you relax, recharge and be there for the people you care about.

Our hybrid work model

BlackRock's hybrid work model requires employees to work at least 4 days in the office per week, with 1 day working from home per week. Some business groups may require more time in the office. The model is designed to enable collaboration, apprenticeship and flexibility while supporting performance and innovation.

Equal Opportunity Employer

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