Associate Asset Manager

About the role

In your role as Associate Asset Manager you will make a meaningful and valued contribution from the outset. This role will provide a great opportunity to focus on transactions in the Matching Asset Strategy including core infrastructure; renewable energy; digital infrastructure and real estate-backed credit. The successful candidate will work alongside colleagues in the Investment and Asset Management Teams, as well as the Property team on select transactions.

The Associate Investment Director will have responsibility for origination, underwriting, monitoring of Private Credit and Alternative Income (PCAI) investments.

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

• Evaluate and identify investment opportunities that are suitable for USS’s Private Credit mandate, and form investment recommendations to Private Markets Investment Committee.
• Assist Investment Directors/Transaction lead in managing end-to-end transaction processes. To include liaising with key internal stakeholders and managing external work streams such as legal, credit/commercial & financial due diligence and tax Due Diligence.
• Identify attractive investment thematics and build origination roadmap that led to successful execution of transactions that offer, among other things, long duration IG credit exposure to USS.
• Develop key origination relationships with sponsors, GPs, intermediaries and corporates.
• Assist in asset management, managing the life cycle of the investments, delivering strategic objectives, leveraging advisors / servicers and presenting materials updates or recommendations to the Portfolio Review Committees.
• Represent USS within industry including attendance and presenting at conferences and proactively promoting PMG’s investment strategy and team.
• Proactively participate as a member of the management forum within PCAI, proactively participating in strategy, team prioritisation and thought leadership for operational improvements across the team.

• Experience of private credit, of which 5+ years underwriting direct private credit transactions.
• Demonstrate an origination network, ideally within UK infrastructure/energy transition.
• Ability to lead transaction negotiations independently.
• Demonstrated experience of accountability for underwriting and proactive asset management.
• Experience of managing an M&A/debt underwriting process.
• Extensive knowledge of the private equity/credit community.
• Excellent financial modelling skills, strong understanding of company valuation techniques and portfolio construction.
• Undergraduate degree in finance related subject from a top-tier university.
• Capable of both bottom-up investment analytics and top-down strategic thinking.
• Ability to deliver high quality work under constrained timelines.
• Competent at prioritisation, process organisation, and management of multiple work streams.
• Ability to influence & fulfil investment decisions.
• Enhance and further develop USS’ cultural objectives.

• 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 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.

• Social Mobility Pledge
• Menopause Workplace Pledge
• Actively support Women in Tech
• Annual Intern programme supporting individuals to gain work experience.

Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS) was established in 1974 as the principal pension scheme for universities and higher…