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ALM Analyst
The Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS) has circa 396,000 members, and over £60 billion in assets, we’re one of the largest private pension schemes in the UK and in the top 50 worldwide. Established in 1974, we’re entrusted by over 350 higher education sector employers to manage and administer the pension scheme and its investments through our two companies, Universities Superannuation Scheme Limited and USS Investment Management Limited.
Our purpose
Working with Higher Education employers to build a secure financial future for our members and their families.
The role
To support and build on the capability within the Strategic Advice and ALM function associated with all ALM related activity. More specifically this relates to areas of analysis, advice and support pertaining to the triennial valuation process, stochastic analytics and liability cash flow dynamics.
This role is intended to assist in the alignment of the asset strategy and portfolio construction with the overarching and long-term liability dynamics on the DB side, and to assist in the development of the Glidepath and life-style options associated with the DC side.
The role will also ensure the bridge between the Funding Strategy team and USSIM is maintained and developed, as well as working with the ISA and Risk (PAIR) functions to develop the front-line risk framework.
The role provides support and development to all ALM related activities, including valuation support, LDI and long term stochastic risk modelling in the context of portfolio construction and management.
Key responsibilities
Delivering Results
• Works with ISA and PAIR to embed stochastic ALM analytics into the front- and second-line risk frameworks across DB and DC.
• Supports the integration of the liabilities into the asset allocation process, as well as the liability hedging programmes into the portfolio construction process (DB).
• Supports the ongoing development of the DC Glidepath, life-style options and potential future post-retirement offering
• Supports the Head of Strategic Advice and ALM and Funding Strategy teams in the scheme triennial valuation process
• Supports the CEO and USSIM Asset Allocation Committee (“AAC”) in portfolio construction and the long-term strategic asset allocation decision process
• Remains abreast of investment market and pension related developments and actively incorporates knowledge in the development of strategic initiatives
• Supports the preparation of committee papers for the relevant boards, coordinating and liaising with Head of Strategic Advice and ALM on content and other requirements.
• Continue to improve the consistency of market data used for analytics originated by ISA
• Ensures the asset inventory and model compliance are up to date for internally developed ALM models
Managing Resources
• Maintains constant dialogue with the Senior ALM Specialist, Head of Strategic Advice and ALM and Funding Strategy Team
• Operates a quality assurance process to ensure consistency and accuracy across the team
• Remains abreast of wider initiatives, particularly among Funding Strategy, CEO and PAIR functions
• Ensures all process documents are up to date for the most efficient use of resources
Your experience
Essential
• A great attitude – proactive and enthusiastic
• Attention to detail
• Previous experience in investment risk and stochastic analysis
• Familiarity with UK defined benefit pension topics
• Ability to communicate effectively in both written papers and oral presentations
• Familiarity with quantitative methods (statistics, econometrics, etc.)
• Intellectual curiosity – willingness and ability to investigate and develop new ideas
• Proficient at prioritisation, project organisation, and management of multiple workstreams
Desirable
• Undergraduate qualification with economics, finance and statistic content and/or progress towards post-graduate investment/actuarial qualification (e.g. CFA, FIA)
• Good understanding of institutional asset classes (including LDI, equities, credit and private markets)
• Good understanding of macroeconomics, actuarial and investment theory
• IT and programming skills (e.g. Excel, VBA and Python)
USSIM is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.
| ISA – Investment Strategy & Advice | 19/05/2021 |
| London |
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Application Support Analyst
The Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS) has circa 396,000 members, and over £60 billion in assets, we’re one of the largest private pension schemes in the UK and in the top 50 worldwide. Established in 1974, we’re entrusted by over 350 higher education sector employers to manage and administer the pension scheme and its investments through our two companies, Universities Superannuation Scheme Limited and USS Investment Management Limited.
Our purpose
Working with Higher Education employers to build a secure financial future for our members and their families.
The role
To support the wide range of systems developed and or/implemented by the Investment and Market Systems
(IMS) team. The candidate will be expected to develop both their technical and system domain knowledge, to allow the Support Team to become more autonomous and reduce dependencies on the Development Team. Although not a primary responsibility, providing support to Bloomberg and other vendor applications would be expected when required.
The candidate will require a technical background, as we look to build the technical capability of the Support Team (e.g. Monitoring, Job Schedulers, Testing, etc.)
Key responsibilities
Delivering Results
• Act as “Level 2 Support” for any issue or query raised against an IMS Application. This involves
o Problem Solving
o Being proactive
o Taking ownership of issues until resolution
o Create “Knowledge Base” articles, so that solutions to known issues and application knowledge can be shared across IMS
• Manage and resolve all issues and queries within Service Level Agreements set in the Application Support Team.
• Troubleshoot technical problems through reading and understanding code
• Resolve complex issues by debugging and stepping through code
• Investigate and resolve data issues by understanding application data and writing SQL
• Make use of Support best practices based on ITIL and other industry recognized frameworks
• Reduce the support responsibility of the Development team
• Monitoring of production jobs (scheduled tasks) and responding to issues/failures
• Flexible in working patterns to ensure support coverage during the working day.
• Provide support to Bloomberg and other vendor applications when required.
Managing Relationships
• Provide regular, timely updates to stakeholders during issue investigation and resolution.
• Manage expectations of users and IMS management if SLA cannot be achieved, including proposed mitigation and/or workaround.
• Escalate issues as required to IMS and Business management.
Managing Processes & Future Focus
• Take a proactive view to the work that is performed within Application Support, identifying and implementing improvements that increase efficiency within the team
• Working with the IMS developers to implement long term solutions to known support pinch points
• Producing and maintaining support documentation and procedures
• Contributing to the design phases of new initiatives to ensure an effective support model will be in place from the outset.
• Maintaining and supporting Cloud based servers (Azure)
• Creating or Supporting test environments, test scripts and automated testing procedures
• Contribute to the set up and continual configuration of Monitoring systems
Your experience
• Experience in a similar Application Support role
• Strong technical background (either degree or previous employment)
• Experienced in databases and writing SQL to resolve application issues
• Very good understanding in at least 1 programming language (e.g. Python, PowerShell)
• Understand log files and trace back issues through reading code
• Experience in supporting a NoSQL database (e.g. MongoDB or ElasticSearch)
• Supporting and configuring Cloud servers (e.g. AWS or Azure)
• Experience in the design and setup of a Monitoring system (e.g. ITRS, Splunk, Nagios, SolarWinds)
• Experience of release management processes.
• Experience supporting other financial systems desired
• Ability to deliver high quality work to agreed timelines
• Able to prioritise work and manage multiple work streams
• Ability to share knowledge and experience amongst the team
USSIM is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.
| Operations | 11/05/2021 |
| London |
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Associate Asset Manager
The Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS) has circa 396,000 members, and over £60 billion in assets, we’re one of the largest private pension schemes in the UK and in the top 50 worldwide. Established in 1974, we’re entrusted by over 350 higher education sector employers to manage and administer the pension scheme and its investments through our two companies, Universities Superannuation Scheme Limited and USS Investment Management Limited.
Our purpose
Working with Higher Education employers to build a secure financial future for our members and their families.
The role
• PMG is responsible for the origination, investment and asset management of private market activity on behalf of the Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS). PMG comprises 50+ individuals working across Private Equity, Infrastructure, Property, Private Credit and Alternative Income (“PCAI”) with over £22Bn in assets under management.
• The current PCAI portfolio includes over £4bn direct credit assets under management including:
o a joint venture to provide senior debt facilities to leading European direct lending managers,
o an equity release mortgage origination platform,
o a UK mid-market renewable lending platform,
o a shared ownership lending portfolio; as well as other debt and warehousing facilities.
• The Credit Associate Asset Manager will support the Asset Manager in the overall management of PMG’s credit exposure including investment onboarding, monitoring, analysis and reporting.
Key responsibilities
Specific Functional Responsibilities:
• In collaboration with the PCAI investment team, manage and oversee the full asset management model for PMG’s direct credit investments. Including leading on the day to day asset management for credit platforms, liaising with key internal stakeholders and managing external workstreams such as legal, credit/commercial, financial and tax.
• Full ownership for third party servicers including contract negotiation, relationship management and provision of governance and strategic guidance in management of loan portfolios.
• Responsible for committee reporting, managing credit rating assessments and liaising with borrower counterparties.
• Support acquisitions/originations of both individual loans and loan portfolios, and documentation negotiation with regard to loan servicing aspects of the investments.
• Implementation and oversight of best practice operating models to support the on-boarding of new Credit-related investments.
Broader PMG / AM Responsibilities:
• Proactively participate in operational aspects of the PMG, suggesting and implementing efficiencies or changes in process, reporting, procedures or structure where necessary; as well as be a point of contact for support and control teams within USS.
• Potential to be given line management responsibilities for some of the analysts/associates working within the AM team in addition to mentoring and supporting opportunities with PMG’s investment analysts and associates.
Your experience
Essential
• Demonstrable track record of asset management of privately-held companies within a Credit setting, of which 2+ years as a portfolio or asset manager (Private Equity or Infrastructure experience, or in areas such as mortgage or CRE portfolio management, will also be considered)
• Likely to have worked in a similar role within: Credit Adviser, Investment Bank, Commercial Bank, Pension Fund, Asset / Fund Manager, Financial Services’ consultancy / transaction services.
• Strong understanding of lending market in terms of key originators and service providers.
• Detailed knowledge of credit investments, legal agreements and servicing
• Self-starter with ‘can do’ attitude, highly organized, ability to prioritise and management of multiple workstreams
• Ability to deliver high quality work under constrained timelines
• Excellent interpersonal skills and a team player
Desirable
• Highly numerate (Accountancy/CFA qualification is considered advantageous but not a necessity)
• Familiarity with sale agreements, servicing contracts and financing term sheets.
• Experience establishing credit origination platforms.
• Great attention to detail, strong verbal and written communication
USSIM is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.
| Private Markets | 15/06/2021 |
| London |
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Business Analyst
The Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS) has circa 396,000 members, and over £60 billion in assets, we’re one of the largest private pension schemes in the UK and in the top 50 worldwide. Established in 1974, we’re entrusted by over 350 higher education sector employers to manage and administer the pension scheme and its investments through our two companies, Universities Superannuation Scheme Limited and USS Investment Management Limited.
Our purpose
Working with Higher Education employers to build a secure financial future for our members and their families.
The role
To define the scope of projects in conjunction with business sponsors, analyse requirements and specify operational and technical change across USSIM. To take responsibility for providing business analysis across various projects and BAU initiatives, with involvement in activities throughout the full project lifecycle including definition, testing and implementation of processes, operating models and system changes.
The successful candidate will be involved in a variety of projects that are either strategic, regulatory or discretionary with a focus on supporting Private Markets Group (PMG) processes. They will report to the Head of Business Analysis within the USSIM Business Change team.
Key responsibilities
The BA is expected to provide the analysis that will define the scope, requirements and success criteria for a variety of initiatives in support of the private markets team (PMG). They will coordinate input from stakeholders, liaising with the technology change teams (IMS) where appropriate, to define, document and present solutions for review and agreement. The BA will act as a point of contact for business and technical colleagues through to solution delivery.
The individual will be expected to support Business Change Project Managers and USS PMO, with responsibility for tracking against agreed deliverables and timelines, capturing associated risks and issues, escalating to the Project Manager or Head of Business Analysis as appropriate. They may also be required to provide input to project reporting including Steering Committee representation.
The key tasks are expected to include:
• Define the scope of workstreams within the project, agreeing high level aims with stakeholders.
• Define detailed business and systems requirements in conjunction with users and developers.
• Prepare a range of documents and project artefacts as required to suit the task at hand.
• Document current state, proposed outcome and target operating models.
• Plan, run and support testing for new or changed processes and systems.
• Work towards strengthening and, where possible, standardising processes to support on-going credit asset management, cash flow planning and modelling. This may involve working with third party platform providers to optimise data feeds and process flows.
• Assist with implementation of processes to ensure that valuations models are properly validated and controlled. Work with PMG analysts and managers, operations colleagues, external asset service providers, financial partners and auditors to ensure that all valuations are robust, maintainable and standardised where possible.
• Gain familiarity with end user functionality and administration of deal systems.
• Enhance operational reporting and contribute to the development of KPI monitoring.
More generally:
• Assist with the design and analysis of solutions.
• Analysis and documentation of requirements.
• Formal documentation of design and solutions processes.
• Feasibility analysis.
• Impact assessment of changes.
• Develop effective relationships across the business.
• Assist with RFP / selection process for third party vendors where applicable.
• RAID log management.
• Liaising with developers to understand technical opportunities and constraints, identify practical solutions, both strategic and tactical where appropriate, and to help prioritise work into releases.
Your experience
The following skills are considered fundamental:
• Extensive prior business analysis experience (essential).
• Technical familiarity and experience writing systems documentation (essential).
• A strong background in financial services, with specific asset management and pensions sector experience (strongly preferred).
• Experience of either managing workstreams within large projects or project management of smaller projects (strongly preferred).
• Prior involvement with alternative assets (in particular private credit but also private equity and property) and private market investment processes and systems (preferred but not critical).
More specifically, the successful candidate should be able to demonstrate:
• Experience of mapping processes, both current and target
• Good relationship and stakeholder management skills, with an ability to engage with and gain the confidence of others as well as challenge where appropriate.
• Strong communication skills (written, pictorial, presentational and verbal) including the ability to adapt communications to different audiences.
• The ability to summarise key elements succinctly for articulation to senior management.
• Logical, structured thought processes and good problem-solving skills.
• A proactive and constructive approach to issue resolution.
• Exacting standards and close attention to detail.
• The ability to prioritise, including management of multiple workstreams.
• The ability to deliver high quality work under tight timelines.
• A strong compliance culture and high personal ethical standards.
• A flexible approach to work.
USSIM is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.
| Operations | 09/06/2021 |
| London |
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Global Emerging Markets Equities Senior Analyst
The Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS) has circa 396,000 members, and over £60 billion in assets, we’re one of the largest private pension schemes in the UK and in the top 50 worldwide. Established in 1974, we’re entrusted by over 350 higher education sector employers to manage and administer the pension scheme and its investments through our two companies, Universities Superannuation Scheme Limited and USS Investment Management Limited.
Our purpose
Working with Higher Education employers to build a secure financial future for our members and their families.
The role
A Senior Analyst has responsibility for identifying the best investible ideas in their allocated markets/sectors of the investment universe. They undertake fundamental research on companies to make informed, insightful and timely investment recommendations which contribute to the relative outperformance of USSIM’s equity portfolios over rolling 5 year periods. They work without day-to-day direction or oversight, have an investment process consistent with the USSIM Equities Investment Philosophy and demonstrably pursue investment excellence in their areas of responsibility. They are expected to seek improvements to their investment research process to enhance their success rate. Senior Analysts lead by example, support less experienced analysts and contribute to the culture and reputation of the USSIM Equities department both internally and externally.
Key responsibilities
• Responsibility for their allocated markets/sectors ensuring up to date knowledge and awareness of the key investment considerations both financial and non-financial which will be material over the investment horizon of USS
• Proactively identify investment opportunities which align to USSIM’s Equities Investment Philosophy and provide estimates of their intrinsic value to the Head of GEMS or Senior Portfolio Managers using a detailed understanding of valuation techniques
• A Senior Analyst uses their experience and judgment to build a precise investment thesis and antithesis. Wherever possible they identify metrics which can be monitored to establish how reality compares to our expectations
• Document research and recommendations in line with the requirements set out in the Equities Documentation Requirements and the standards reasonably expected of an experienced investment professional. If a company is involved in controversial activities the Senior Analyst must document how these have been included in our analysis
• Proactively review active portfolio exposures to identify where our confidence in our assumptions and hypothesis are changing either positively or negatively and recommend changes in portfolio exposure to benefit from these changes
• Respond to Head of GEMS, Senior PM or Head of Equities requests within agreed timescales
• Lead meetings with company management. Prepare agendas in advance including the purpose of the meeting, questions and follow ups. Maintain records of company meetings in accordance with the Equities Documentation Requirements.
• Seek improvement in the investment research process via interactions with other members of the Equities/RI team and external experts
• Allocation of the research budget for their element of the research programme and the management of associated investment advisers
• Voting decisions with advice from the RI team and in consultation with the Head of GEMS or Senior PM
• Work with the Quant research team to develop indicators and screens to identify where to conduct in depth research
• Liaising with other investment analysts to form global research groups where appropriate to enable the exchange of information which improves investment returns within the department and for the Scheme
• A Senior Analyst has a thorough understanding of the relevant investment mandate’s restrictions, companywide day to day controls and the order-settlement cycle
Relationship and Communication Responsibilities
• Regular meetings with the Head of GEMS and Senior Portfolio Managers regarding the evolution of their investment ideas and improvements to the investment research process and team efficiency
• Periodic meetings with the Head of Equities regarding their personal development and objectives and their ideas for changes to improve the success and efficiency of the department
• Communicating with other members of equity department regarding investment ideas, best practice and support in training.
• Engage with the Responsible Investment team to support the assessment of extra-financial factors, to coordinate engagement with companies and policy-makers and uphold USS’ commitment to be an active and responsible owner of assets
• Communicating to other areas of USSIM such as Credit, PMG and ISA
• Communicating with Board, IC and USSIM Exco-as requested
• Communicating with sell side analysts, industry experts, consumers and suppliers to support investment analysis
• Lead meetings with company management in an appropriate manner, maintaining and upholding USSIM’s reputation
• Business Continuity/Disaster Recovery: In the event of a BC/DR incident the Senior Analyst should inform their manager as soon as possible of their whereabouts and follow the instructions given to them
Compliance Responsibilities
• Comply with the Compliance and Procedures manual and have a strong understanding of the broader regulatory environment in which the company operates
• Be certified by USSIM as fit and proper to hold the role of Senior Analyst
• Act in accordance with the principles of the FCA’s Certification Regime and adhere to the Conduct Rules at all times
Primary Measures of Contribution:
• Outperformance of the portfolio(s) they contribute to relative to the specified benchmark(s) as measured by Ortec
• Quantitative and qualitative performance of the controllable steps of the investment process
• Idea generation
• Filtering and timing of ideas
• Interaction with colleagues to share insights and best practice
• Compliance and code of conduct track record
The above job description is meant to describe the general nature and level of work being performed; it is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required for the position
Your experience
• A track record of identifying outperforming stocks in one or more countries and sectors
• Strong understanding of valuation techniques and fundamental analysis
• Professional Qualifications (CFA or equivalent)
• A good understanding of corporate governance, public equity markets and shareholder rights
• Ability to represent USS externally in a professional manner
• Degree level education for equivalent
USSIM is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.
| Equities | 07/05/2021 |
| London |
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Head of Investment Risk Control (2nd Line)
The Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS) has circa 396,000 members, and over £60 billion in assets, we’re one of the largest private pension schemes in the UK and in the top 50 worldwide. Established in 1974, we’re entrusted by over 350 higher education sector employers to manage and administer the pension scheme and its investments through our two companies, Universities Superannuation Scheme Limited and USS Investment Management Limited.
Our purpose
Working with Higher Education employers to build a secure financial future for our members and their families.
The role
Implement and structure 2nd line oversight and challenge of investment risks, including market, credit, counterparty and liquidity risks across public and private markets. This encompasses oversight and challenge of both individual investment desks and the aggregate investment risks of the whole portfolio.
The PAIR team currently consists of a three risk sub teams and one performance sub team. The teams carry out a mix of first- and second-line activities. We are creating a new 2nd line Investment Risk Control team to sit alongside the existing teams, with a dedicated focus on 2nd line challenge and oversight activities, alongside the challenge from the existing teams.
The Head of Investment Risk Control (IRC) will be instrumental in setting up the team, which includes recruitment, and defining processes and deliverables together with stakeholders.
The wider PAIR team, including IRC, is responsible for investment risk monitoring, challenge and adding value to the investment processes of USS Investment Management, which is the investment arm of the Universities Superannuation Scheme.
The IRC team will primarily utilise existing reporting and tools from PAIR and will work closely together with other PAIR sub teams to deliver risk management.
Key responsibilities
- Build, manage and develop the IRC team, coach and lead juniors, define the roadmap and respond to changes that impact the team
- Understand the investment processes fully by engaging with investment desks
- Work effectively and collaboratively with the wider PAIR team and front office stakeholders enabling effective challenge of material exposures
- Perform regular investment desk reviews where risk allocation and portfolio construction are overseen and challenged
- Challenge material investment proposals from the front office
- Review investment guidelines
- Contribute to oversight of allocation and scheme wide risks
Your experience
The successful candidate is likely to hold a strong bachelor’s degree in a Science or other numerate subject.
• Higher degrees, an actuarial qualification and/or CFA charter-holder status would be a benefit but not essential.
• Comprehensive knowledge of risk management within large complex and diverse portfolios, with proven experience of risk management of equity, fixed income and multi-asset strategies. Private market experience would be a benefit.
• Track record of providing independent challenge from a second line perspective would be beneficial
• Excellent understanding and application of investment risk analysis and attribution
• Depth of experience in the financial services industry, spent largely in risk management with exposure to front office
• Sound understanding of operational processes from front to back office, with strong practical IT knowledge
• Demonstrable track record in financial risk modeling with the mindset and ability to come up with practical solutions
• Experience of an investment risk system of risk systems such as Axioma, RiskMetrics RiskManager, Barra, Aladdin, UBS Delta or APT would be a benefit
• Being able to review tools produced by team in Excel with VBA. Python or other programming language a bonus
USSIM is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.
| PAIR | 27/05/2021 |
| London |
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Information co-ordinator
The Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS) has circa 396,000 members, and over £60 billion in assets, we’re one of the largest private pension schemes in the UK and in the top 50 worldwide. Established in 1974, we’re entrusted by over 350 higher education sector employers to manage and administer the pension scheme and its investments through our two companies, Universities Superannuation Scheme Limited and USS Investment Management Limited.
Our purpose
Working with Higher Education employers to build a secure financial future for our members and their families.
The role
In support of the overall programme of work on the 2020 scheme valuation the role holder will be required to provide broad support across the information management pieces of work on engagement with various stakeholders. This includes matters such as:
• Supporting across the valuation team to help develop a broad range of documentation where needed such as PowerPoint decks and reports to be published
• Identifying the different technical requests and manage each through to completion whilst ensuring the documentation and quality control evidence is fully maintained;
• Keeping the engagement tracking up-to-date and ready for quality assurance review;
It is critical we perform these tasks to the very highest standard to avoid any reputational issues and any challenges that we have not followed a process which in some cases have been agreed via legal processes and with external regulatory bodies.
Key responsibilities
• Helping with formatting and publishing public facing documents as well as internal documents for Directors and other senior stakeholders
• Supporting the project workstream for stakeholder interactions as we work as a team to complete tasks with short windows to complete sensitive pieces of work
• Identify all requests from committees and via stakeholders which are technical valuation questions and/or requests for benefit modelling
• Ensure all request are logged and the owner of each process is identified, and that owner is tasked with determining the time it will take to complete.
• Submit all requests for actuarial information via the agreed process to ensure full board oversight and the requirements of the technical actuarial standards are met as per the signed off process.
• Develop weekly updates on progress of all request for internal use and for circulation with the USS Joint Negotiating Committee – transparency and the management of expectations on request submitted will be important.
• Keep all engagement trackers up to date on a daily basis to support the quality control processes.
• Produce the paperwork for the approval processes for information for the Board and once completed to be issued to stakeholders.
• Keep a clear track of confidentiality requirements to ensure that we adhere to the legal requirements to share information of the trustee and to avoid sensitive confidential information being issued to the incorrect recipient.
Your experience
• Effective management and prioritisation of work.
• Strong PowerPoint skills and the ability to produce clear reports for committees
• WORD, PDF, desktop publishing skills
• Good design and presentation of documents is desirable
• Able to upwardly manage senior members of the business.
• Able always to manage and control multiple pieces of work at the same time with the very highest level of detail applied.
• Deals well with high pressure pieces of work and short timescales where necessary
USSL is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.
| Pensions Strategy | 24/05/2021 |
| Liverpool |
|
Member Communications Specialist
The Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS) has circa 396,000 members, and over £60 billion in assets, we’re one of the largest private pension schemes in the UK and in the top 50 worldwide. Established in 1974, we’re entrusted by over 350 higher education sector employers to manage and administer the pension scheme and its investments through our two companies, Universities Superannuation Scheme Limited and USS Investment Management Limited.
Our purpose
Working with Higher Education employers to build a secure financial future for our members and their families.
The role
n/a
Key responsibilities
n/a
Your experience
n/a
USSL is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.
| Pensions Strategy | 21/05/2021 |
| Liverpool |
|
Member Communications Specialist
The Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS) has circa 396,000 members, and over £60 billion in assets, we’re one of the largest private pension schemes in the UK and in the top 50 worldwide. Established in 1974, we’re entrusted by over 350 higher education sector employers to manage and administer the pension scheme and its investments through our two companies, Universities Superannuation Scheme Limited and USS Investment Management Limited.
Our purpose
Working with Higher Education employers to build a secure financial future for our members and their families.
The role
Empower members to engage confidently with their pension by providing clear and timely communications in accessible formats.
Responsible for producing end to end member communications; from insight, planning and brief to collateral management, delivery and results, with a focus on the holistic member experience.
Key responsibilities
• Works with the Member Communications Lead to develop a high level deliverables plan driven by key member journeys and regulatory activity.
• Leads communication coordination from brief creation (following planning approval by Member Communications Manager), agency liaison and internal stakeholder engagement to ensure buy-in and provides updates. Proof edits comms materials ensuring accuracy of message and compliance with statutory (Legal) and regulatory (Compliance) requirements.
• Continually monitors the effectiveness of member communications activity, producing timely reports and commentary, suggesting improvements.
• Embeds a test and learn culture to comms production and implementation with a focus on digital first.
• Leads key work streams in tandem with the Member Communications Manager in accordance to the wider departmental strategy.
• Ensures the member communications proposition is applied consistently across all channels and in line with the wider journey and persona requirements.
• Acts as a custodian of the USS brand and style guidelines, ensuring consistent use across all platforms in terms of look, image, identity and message.
• Controls the accuracy of content and ensures it is, clear, engaging and reflects the organisation’s strategic objectives and brand pillars.
• Provides communications expertise, support and advice on a wide range of projects; represents member communications in internal task force projects and forums as required.
• Establishes and maintains effective internal and external stakeholder engagements.
• Tracks budgets in accordance with the Member Communications Support Officer.
• Supports plans and future requirements to enable the team to meet the needs of members, stakeholders and the business, including supporting the development of medium and longer-term plans that underpin the achievement of USS's pension’s strategy.
• Adheres to core departmental processes i.e. supplier contracting, agency briefing, messaging sign off, risk and data management, proposition formation process etc.
• Acts as a mentor for junior members of the team.
Your experience
• Detailed pensions knowledge advantageous;
• Wider financial services/product knowledge would be an advantage;
• Excellent communications skills;
• Open and honest approach;
• Skilled at building rapport and relationships;
• Accuracy and attention to detail;
• Able to identify/implement & utilise a range of software products to deliver the member communications objectives;
• Able to think creatively and outside of the box;
• Able and willing to challenge status quo;
• Able to manage own workload proactively and prioritise as required;
• Able to coach less senior members of the team;
• Able to convert complex information into easily understandable content;
• Able to work in a manner that is consistent with the organisation’s ethos and values;
• Educated to degree level or relevant experience, APMI qualified or working towards an advantage.
USSL is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.
| Pensions Strategy | 21/05/2021 |
| Liverpool |
|
Operational Support Technician
The Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS) has circa 396,000 members, and over £60 billion in assets, we’re one of the largest private pension schemes in the UK and in the top 50 worldwide. Established in 1974, we’re entrusted by over 350 higher education sector employers to manage and administer the pension scheme and its investments through our two companies, Universities Superannuation Scheme Limited and USS Investment Management Limited.
Our purpose
Working with Higher Education employers to build a secure financial future for our members and their families.
The role
To provide support to the Pensions Operations department, including the provision of key attestation evidence, testing of operational processes and letters, development and ownership of the department’s key operational assets, business ownership of the digital print relationship and conducting LEAN analysis and reporting as directed.
Key responsibilities
• Build and maintain CAAP reporting model, for presenting to Team managers on a monthly basis
• Own and maintain department’s BCP
• Owns and maintains departments asset inventory (including letters, calculation spreadsheets etc)
• Owns and maintains the end to end factor update process
• Creates a suite of test cases on each team and takes charge on the testing of all:
Operational letters
Caselink
Calculations
• Assists the department with any change process, facilitating stages 0 of the Business Change Model and represents operation on liaising within the Group Transformation to ensure implementation
• Provides support for all internal operational changes to current working practices, including the creation of caselinks & flags, new model assets and enhancements to existing assets
• Acts as the lead for pension operations with internal stakeholders regarding system outages and ensures appropriate recording and reporting.
• Attends PSSG to ensure defects and problems are prioritised and oversight of operational change requests. Ensures Pension Operations requirements are provided as part of the Pensions System Roadmap.
• Leads the relationship with USS IT to ensure that oversight is provided on SLA performance and escalated within Pension Operations when relevant
• Ensures the running of dept monthly processes (sundry creditors, deferred auto cases etc)
• Coordinates all DC Error Management actions and loss calculations to conclusion
• Updates and maintains the DC operational control inventory
• Lean team reviews
• Supports casework processing when required
Your experience
• Attention to detail
• Ideally have professional qualifications such as CPC/DPC or PMI
• Relevant experience of the principles of LEAN management
• Ability to build and influence key stakeholder relationships
• Excellent understanding of processes, practices, objectives and targets (including department and statutory deadlines)
• Competent understanding of Hartlink, Excel and Power BI
• Excellent understanding of the duties and processes carried out by other pension operations teams
• Good knowledge of the USS scheme rules, practice and relevant legislation
USSL is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.
| Pensions Operations | 15/06/2021 |
| Liverpool |