BlackRock has marked its fifth year in Atlanta, with nearly 900 employees now based at its office on the Atlanta Beltline. Marc Balizer, Managing Director and co-lead of BlackRock’s Atlanta office, spoke about the firm’s growth and integration into the city during a discussion with Kendall Brantley of the Metro Atlanta Chamber’s Economic Development team.
Reflecting on the office’s evolution since opening, Balizer said, “It’s something we think about a lot, especially now that we’ve hit our fifth anniversary. We’re close to 900 employees here. We used to celebrate every time we hit a new milestone – 400 people, 500 people – but that’s not what matters anymore. It’s no longer about simply hiring; it’s about how those people are contributing to the business.”
Balizer described how BlackRock has developed comprehensive client service capabilities in Atlanta, including a significant engineering presence working on artificial intelligence initiatives and one of the company’s busiest trading desks operating around-the-clock as global markets open. The office also houses various corporate teams such as HR, legal, and global content management.
Discussing BlackRock’s relationship with local educational institutions, Balizer credited partnerships fostered by organizations like the Metro Atlanta Chamber for improving talent retention: “Thanks to the Metro Atlanta Chamber recruiting companies like BlackRock, that’s changing. Universities now see this as a partnership – they need us, and we need them. They welcome us into classrooms; their professors speak to our teams, and there’s a strong give-and-take. It feels like a real ecosystem now.”
Balizer highlighted his experience during BlackRock’s site selection process for its southern hub: “We were down to three finalist cities. The Metro Atlanta Chamber organized a dinner and invited major Atlanta companies like Delta, Home Depot, Southern Company… There was a genuine friendship among Atlanta’s business leaders.” He contrasted this atmosphere with other cities where interactions felt more formal.
He emphasized that business culture in Atlanta is community-oriented: “In Atlanta, and across Georgia and the Southeast, business is rooted in community… That sense of partnership, even across perceived boundaries, is unique.”
Looking ahead five to ten years into BlackRock’s strategy for its presence in Atlanta, Balizer pointed to factors such as talent availability and quality of life: “Companies have choices, but many of our business leaders actively want to come to Atlanta. Why? The talent. The quality of life. The business environment.”
He also commented on employee experiences relocating from other regions: “For families like mine, the schools are excellent… Friday Night Lights isn’t just a TV show – you really do become part of the neighborhood.” Younger professionals benefit from social opportunities while newcomers receive support through informal networks.
The location on the Beltline is cited as an advantage for recruitment efforts among mid-career professionals: “For lateral hires – professionals three to ten years out of school – this location is a huge draw… People know where we are. They enjoy being here.”
Summing up why BlackRock continues investing in its metro Atlanta operation Balizer stated: “…because of the amazing talent and people who are here.”
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