About this roleVice President, Market Data Services - Relationship ManagerAbout This Role
The Index & Data Solutions (IDS) team is responsible for the firm's index and market data strategy and the ongoing management of relationships with market data, index, pricing, ratings, and alternative data providers. IDS delivers the industry expertise, strategic partnerships, and timely execution of solutions essential to the firm's growth.We source market data and index solutions across the organization, govern market data spend, drive vendor risk management programs, and act as data stewards to help ensure compliance throughout the data lifecycle. Our team partners closely with investment teams, Private Markets, Infrastructure, technology, legal, procurement, risk, and operational stakeholders to provide the right data solutions while optimizing commercial outcomes and managing risk.We are seeking a Vice President, Market Data Services - Relationship Manager to join the Relationship Management team. Working in a fast-paced and highly collaborative environment, the individual will act as a trusted partner to business stakeholders, supporting the evolving data needs of investment teams across multiple asset classes and regions, leading provider engagements, negotiating complex commercial agreements, and helping shape the firm's evolving data strategy.The successful candidate will combine commercial expertise, relationship management, contract negotiation, market intelligence, and strategic sourcing capabilities to deliver value across a broad range of internal and external stakeholders.Team Overview
The Index & Data Solutions (IDS) team provides relationship management, operations management, and vendor risk management for all index and market data services used across the firm.The team is organized into three core functions:Relationship ManagementResponsible for partnering with business stakeholders to align market data and index strategies with business objectives, while managing commercial relationships with strategic providers and identifying opportunities to optimize value and service delivery.Operations ManagementResponsible for onboarding and access requests, contract administration, chargeback reporting, invoice processing, governance support, and day-to-day service management.Vendor Risk ManagementResponsible for vendor due diligence, ongoing oversight, and risk mitigation activities to ensure providers deliver services in line with firm expectations and governance requirements.Key Responsibilities
As a Relationship Manager within IDS, you will:
- Serve as a trusted advisor to investment teams, Private Markets, Infrastructure, and other business stakeholders on market data, index solutions, and data strategy.
- Develop strong internal partnerships across the organization to execute effective sourcing and negotiation strategies.
- Build and manage strategic relationships with market data, index, pricing, ratings, and alternative data providers.
- Lead negotiations of complex commercial agreements in partnership with Legal and business stakeholders, securing favorable commercial terms while mitigating risk to the firm.
- Develop and execute strategic sourcing initiatives through market analysis, supplier consolidation, demand management, and process improvement opportunities.
- Interpret and communicate contractual rights, obligations, usage permissions, and compliance requirements to stakeholders across varying levels of seniority.
- Work with business partners to support new investment capabilities, product launches, and evolving data requirements.
- Drive commercial value by identifying opportunities to optimize market data expenditure, improve transparency, and enhance service delivery.
- Hold providers accountable for contractual commitments, operational performance, service quality, and escalation management.
- Manage contract lifecycle activities, including contract renewals. Assist with the maintenance of accurate vendor, contract, and renewal records, ensuring key commercial terms, governance requirements, approvals, risk assessments, budget information, and supporting documentation are tracked and managed throughout the supplier lifecycle
- Monitor industry developments, regulatory changes, AI-related developments, and emerging market data business models, communicating impacts and opportunities to stakeholders.
- Develop presentations and strategic analyses to support senior management decision-making.
- Partner with Vendor Risk Management and Governance teams to ensure appropriate provider oversight and compliance throughout the relationship lifecycle.
- Support and lead strategic sourcing plans that deliver operational efficiencies while maintaining the highest levels of service quality.
What You Will Be Able to Do
As a Vice President in IDS, you will have the opportunity to:
- Develop strong and influential partnerships across investment teams and corporate functions.
- Lead negotiations that balance commercial value, operational efficiency, and risk management.
- Shape data strategy for investment platforms, Private Markets, and Infrastructure businesses.
- Identify and execute strategic sourcing opportunities that create measurable business value.
- Build and strengthen relationships with some of the industry's most strategic data and index providers.
- Bring market intelligence and industry expertise to business leaders and strategic initiatives.
- Influence senior stakeholders and provider executives on commercial, operational, and strategic matters.
- Contribute to the firm's approach to market data governance, compliance, and innovation.
Qualifications & Experience
- Bachelor's degree in Finance, Business, Economics, Law, or a related discipline; advanced degree or legal background is advantageous.
- 7-10+ years of experience in financial services, market data, data licensing, provider relationship management, procurement, or related commercial functions.
- Demonstrated experience negotiating and managing complex market data, index licensing, or technology agreements.
- Strong understanding of investment management, public markets, Private Markets, and Infrastructure investment businesses.
- Knowledge of market data products, services, commercial licensing models, and provider ecosystems.
- Experience partnering with Legal, Procurement, Compliance, Risk, and senior business stakeholders.
- Understanding of vendor governance, third-party risk management, and regulatory considerations relating to market data usage.
Skills & Competencies
The ideal candidate will demonstrate the following:
- Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to influence and engage stakeholders at all levels, including senior leadership.
- Excellent commercial negotiation and relationship management skills.
- Strong analytical capabilities with the ability to evaluate information from multiple sources and translate findings into actionable recommendations.
- Deep knowledge of market data products, services, commercial models, and licensing frameworks.
- Ability to work autonomously while building strong partnerships internally and externally.
- Strong understanding of financial markets, investments, and data-driven investment processes.
- Exceptional written, verbal, and presentation skills.
- Ability to simplify complex contractual, regulatory, and business issues.
- Outstanding organizational skills and attention to detail.
- Strong proficiency in Microsoft 365 applications, including Excel and PowerPoint.
- Knowledge of AI use cases, data governance, and data licensing implications is highly desirable.
- A proactive, collaborative, and intellectually curious approach with a focus on continuous improvement and execution excellence.
What Makes You Successful
You are a strategic thinker and trusted partner who can connect business needs, provider capabilities, commercial outcomes, and regulatory requirements. You combine strong market data expertise with commercial acumen and relationship management skills to deliver solutions that support the firm's investment objectives while ensuring appropriate governance, compliance, and cost discipline.For New York, NY Only the salary range for this position is USD$140,000.00 - 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 benefitsTo 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 modelBlackRock'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 candidatesAt 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.
