A lot of good talent with strong potential to make a difference, but terrible middle managers - Anonymous employee BlackRock Employee Review

3.0
May 25, 2018
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

The top executives do genuinely seem to care about the employees, in terms of wanting to do the right thing most often than not. They do solicit feedback and action on them. - Flexible time-off - Good health, vision, dental care options - 50% + annual ~5% 401(k) match - Compensation is ok, lower end of hedge fund rates and mid-level of sell-side

Cons

(This is probably more relevant to my specific team. Although, I would not be surprised, if it did extend beyond my team.) - Middle managers are accustomed to sitting on their high horses and dictating to the junior staff - Lots of talk, little value creation (not to be confused with brain-storming, intellectual discussion where each member thinks objectively) - Each one is in a rat race to "make it seem" like they are doing "work"; say they moved mountains when in reality they blew the dust off the sill - Long hours: not because there is good quality work to be done, but rather because the manager hasn't left yet - You are expected to overshare your personal details since everyone around you is doing it - Visible favoritism, promotions depend on tenure more than performance (contrary to what the company promotion readiness criteria suggests)

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5.0
May 21, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
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Pros

Great company to gain experience

Cons

Not many cons, large organization

3.0
Feb 22, 2026
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

1. The executive leaders in the firm are doing a great job 2. Many people in the firm genuinely have a sense of pride working there 3. The (base) compensation is compatible with the market; bonus, however, is another story. 4. For the first ten years of my career in the firm, I made some great memories and made some great friends.

Cons

The culture of my organization started to shift away from a sensible approach and career nurturing to a hostile and confrontational one around 2 years ago. In several all-hands meetings, we were chastised for being "too nice" and were made clear that things would change. The anonymous feedback in the meetings was cut short or eliminated entirely because it didn’t paint a positive picture. In the last 2 years, 1. I was often asked and expected to answer, "Now.. what can you do for me?" in my 1:1 with my latest manager. 2. I was reminded more than once that English is my second language 3. I was reminded more than once by the manager that I should not speak during the meetings I was invited to because they weren’t in the right timing or not appropriate to the subject being discussed during the time There were many of these examples in the last two years with the firm that just seemed inconceivable; nevertheless, I had a great ride and met some genuine people that I consider friends even today.

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