Retail Asset/Investment Manager

Senior Investment and Asset Manager

Business Area: Private Markets

Place of Work: London

Contract Type: Permanent

When you join USS, the size and scale of our pension scheme means you will have numerous opportunities to learn and develop your career. Given our size you'll have real autonomy and influence as you collaborate closely with a wide-ranging team of experts.

Our office is a vibrant place to work, and we offer flexibility of office/homeworking due to our hybrid model.

About the role

In your role as Senior Investment and Asset Manager you will make a meaningful and valued contribution from the outset.

This role will provide a great opportunity to support the Head of Property and Investment Directors with investment origination across all property sectors and overseeing the asset management of the retail and leisure assets within the UK portfolio.

What you will be doing

As a trusted part of the Private Markets you will be responsible for:

• Helping to formulate the investment strategy for the Property mandate and developing key thematic areas which set the trajectory of the portfolio
• Contributing to the origination pipeline with potential investment opportunities that align to strategy
• Evaluating and form a preliminary view on investment opportunities incorporating quantitative and qualitative analysis supplemented with perspectives from advisors
• Taking a leading role in the negotiation of transactions and the structuring workstreams
• Coordinating investment due diligence including the review of legal, commercial and financial due diligence
• Collaborating with internal stakeholders including tax, investment legal, operational due diligence and compliance
• Producing approval and Investment Committee papers and present these materials at committee stage, working closely with Investment Directors, analysts and associates across projects providing guidance and input
• Being the primary point of contact for the Investment Advisors for the direct retail and leisure portfolio
• Leading the sales process, including; obtaining approvals, the appointment of advisors, undertaking pre sale due diligence and negotiation of legal documents
• Approving the appointment of such property consultants as shall be required from time to time, including solicitors, L&T advisors, letting agents, rating advisors etc
• Assisting in formulating the investment strategy for the property portfolios and the asset level business plans
• Supporting other PMG mandates in relation to transactions and asset management initiatives where property expertise is required
• Seeking to raise the standing and reputation of USS/USSIM/PMG

About you

We know that sometimes people can be put off applying for a job if they don't tick every box, if you're excited about working for us and have most of the skills or experience we're looking for, then please apply, regardless of whether you meet all the requirements outlined in this profile.

To be successful in the role you will have:

• Undergraduate degree or equivalent
• Post-graduation experience, with a preference for someone with experience in retail and leisure investment / asset management
• An understanding of investment theory and the merits of property as an asset class
• Awareness of ESG and NZC factors affecting property and how to integrate into development projects
• A successful track record of property investment origination and execution, ideally including SPV structures and Joint Ventures
• High degree of competence across multiple asset classes, but with a preference for retail
• Asset management skills, including a strong understanding of valuation, appraisal modelling and Landlord & Tenant matters and leasing
• Leadership skills and a strong team player contributing to a supportive and collaborative working environment
• Excellent interpersonal, communication and negotiation skills
• A driven, focused, proactive, with the drive to follow through on delegated tasks and self start on new initiatives

Why join us?

At USS, every individual contributes to building a secure financial future for our members and their families.

We strive to create a work environment where everyone can thrive professionally while making a meaningful impact on the lives of others.

We're also committed to helping you build your career by providing opportunities for development.

We put a focus on recognising and supporting each individual's unique career path, driving this forward with the support of an engaged and proactive management team.

Here at USS, we want you to thrive in and out of work with a friendly team, flexible culture and excellent range of benefits!

How we will reward you

• Great starting salary
• Generous annual leave package
• Access to a high quality pension scheme provided through Universities Superannuation Scheme
• Supportive people policies (including enhanced occupational sickness pay and family friendly pay)
• Financial contributions towards your personal development to help you maintain your physical and mental wellbeing
• Access to a range of health and wellbeing services i.e., private healthcare, discounted gym membership
• Learning and development opportunities to develop your skills, knowledge and talent
• Employee Volunteer Day’s to support the communities where you work and live
• Cycle to Work Scheme

Our culture and values

Our people are what makes us different. We work together to create a diverse and inclusive culture that embraces individuality, where people are welcomed and feel comfortable in the knowledge that they can be themselves.

Our purpose firmly states the importance of members, putting them ‘front and centre’ of what we do. This is embedded through our values:

• Integrity
• Collaboration
• Excellence

About us

Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS) was established in 1974 as the principal pension scheme for universities and higher education institutions in the UK.

We work with around 330 employers to help build a secure financial future for more than 528,000 members and their families. We are one of the largest pension schemes in the UK, with total assets of around £75.5bn (at 31 March 2023). To find out more, please visit https://www.uss.co.uk

The Private Markets Group (PMG) consists of a 70+ person team that oversees c. £25 billion in assets across a fast-growing and diverse portfolio of private equity, infrastructure, private credit and property investments on behalf of the Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS).

By operating as a single team, with individual areas of specialism and expertise, PMG is able to combine its resources through a “OnePMG" approach to investing which allows us to maximise origination, due diligence, transaction execution and asset management by tailoring the right mix of skills.

Capable of deploying capital across the full range of private market investing (direct, joint ventures, partnerships, co-investments and funds), and with in-house asset management and strategy teams complementing our investment function, PMG has developed a strong track record of innovation that is frequently recognised by our peers across equity, credit and property and, as one of the UK’s pre-eminent private markets’ investors, PMG often partners with many of the largest, most respected global financial institutions.

PMG’s portfolio includes ownership of some of the UK’s largest and most recognisable private companies including Heathrow Airport and Moto, and, through its holdings, is an established presence in the UK renewables sector.

We also hold governance positions through our investments in a range of companies located across the EU, North America and Australia with exposure across different industries and sectors.

Being part of USS Investment Management (USSIM), the in-house manager for the UK’s largest pension scheme and serving the needs of USS and its members, PMG takes its role as a responsible investor seriously and is committed to adopting and promoting strong ESG credentials across its investments.

USSIM is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We strive to ensure our recruitment process is as flexible and inclusive as possible so we can attract diverse candidates and recruit the best talent.

We want all candidates to perform at their best during the recruitment process, so if you need any reasonable adjustments or if there is anything we can do to help support you through your recruitment journey please let us know by contacting resourcing@uss.co.uk.