Senior Asset Manager - Infrastructure | London, UK | Hybrid

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 Asset Manager, you will make a meaningful and valued contribution from the outset. This role will provide a great opportunity to operate as a senior leader in the Private Markets Group (PMG) Direct Equity Team, focusing on asset management. The prime objective of the Direct Equity Team’s asset management activity is to be a trusted steward of the University Superannuation Scheme’s (USS’s) investments and maximise value by applying an investor mindset, ensuring effective monitoring and being a respected counterparty in our investments and markets.

The role holder will support and contribute to the Direct Equity team’s asset management activities, processes development, and strategy for the Direct Equity portfolio as a whole, for specific assets through the investee board roles and by supporting other asset leads across the team. The role will require effective collaboration across the Direct Equity team, PMG and internal USS stakeholders.

The Direct Equity teams consist of 25+ professionals managing c. £8bn across 30 infrastructure including core, value add, renewables and energy transition investments. The Direct Equity team are responsible for the strategy, origination and execution of new investments, divestments, and portfolio company management. The team has a global mandate, focusing on UK, Europe and North America infrastructure opportunities with available capital and a plan to invest between £3-£4bn over the next three years in 10-12 investments.

What you will be doing

• Act as Asset Lead for complex investments, developing and delivering Asset Management Plans (AMPs)
• Represent USS on portfolio company boards, influencing key stakeholders to support USS objectives
• Lead asset teams in performance monitoring, AMP execution, and governance compliance
• Collaborate on valuations and fair market assessments with internal and external parties
• Support and mentor other Asset Leads and junior team members across the portfolio
• Contribute to investment forums, offering challenge and insight on key asset matters
• Partner with deal teams to shape asset strategy during the underwriting and onboarding phases

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:

• Extensive experience managing private infrastructure and/or private equity investments
• Strong commercial, strategic and financial judgement with a focus on value creation
• Skilled at influencing senior stakeholders and navigating investee governance structures
• Proven ability to prioritise asset management activities based on value and risk
• Confident with valuations, debt/equity terms, and performance analysis
• Strong communicator, analytical thinker, and effective problem solver
• Self-motivated team player with excellent organisational and interpersonal skills

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

• 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.

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).

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.