At a Glance
- Tasks: Support strategic planning and delivery for the Group General Counsel team.
- Company: Join USS, a leading pension scheme with a vibrant work culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, generous leave, and wellness support.
- Other info: Flexible working options and a commitment to diversity and inclusion.
- Why this job: Make a real impact while developing your career in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in project management and stakeholder engagement is essential.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 72000 £ per year.
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 Business Manager, you will make a meaningful and valued contribution from the outset. This role will provide a great opportunity to act as a strategic partner and trusted adviser to the Group General Counsel (GGC), enabling the effective leadership, prioritisation and delivery of the GGC function. The role will support the translation of strategic objectives into clear priorities and actionable plans, ensuring alignment across the GGC management team and effective coordination of key initiatives.
In partnership with GGC Operations and other functional leads, the role will help ensure the function operates in a joined-up, focused and outcome-driven way. Through oversight of strategic priorities, leadership team effectiveness and cross-functional coordination, the role will enable the GGC to drive performance, maintain organisational alignment and deliver against its most critical objectives.
What you will be doing
As a trusted part of the Group General Counsel team you will be responsible for:
- Strategic Planning, Prioritisation and Delivery
- Partner with the GGC Management Team to shape and deliver the team’s strategic priorities, ensuring clarity of objectives and alignment to wider USS goals.
- Support the translation of strategic objectives into clear, actionable plans, ensuring priorities are well defined, sequenced and deliverable.
- Oversee the tracking and delivery of key strategic initiatives, ensuring appropriate focus, pace and accountability across the GGC management team.
- Proactively identify, assess and escalate risks to delivery supporting timely and effective resolution.
- Lead or coordinate delivery of high-impact, cross-functional initiatives on behalf of the GGC, ensuring clarity of scope, ownership and outcomes.
- Support the resolution of complex or sensitive issues that cut across teams or require senior stakeholder engagement.
- Ensure lessons learned and continuous improvement are embedded across key initiatives.
- Executive Support and Leadership Enablement
- Act as a trusted adviser to the GGC, supporting effective decision-making through insight, briefing and prioritisation support.
- Enhance effectiveness of the GGC management team, including forward planning and ensuring clear follow through on actions.
- Support the GGC in setting and driving a clear direction for the team, ensuring consistent understanding and alignment.
- Support the GGC on organisational design, talent and succession planning.
- Facilitate effective communication and cascade of key messages, priorities and decisions.
- Cross-Functional Coordination, Alignment and Team Effectiveness
- Act as a central point of coordination across Legal, Governance and GGC Operations, ensuring activities are aligned and interdependencies are effectively managed.
- Work closely with GGC Operations to ensure strategic priorities are supported by appropriate resource and budget planning.
- Ensure that key initiatives requiring input across the team and/or across multiple stakeholders are joined-up, well co-ordinated and delivered in a cohesive manner.
- Support the GGC and management team in maintaining a high-performing well managed function, including clarity of objectives, accountability and performance tracking.
- Support the GGC and work closely with the Governance and Legal teams to drive high-quality advice and reporting from the GGC function to Boards and Committees.
- Identify opportunities to enhance effectiveness, improve ways of working and strengthen collaboration.
- Contribute to fostering a positive and inclusive team culture.
- Stakeholder Engagement
- Build strong relationships across the organisation, including with senior leaders, to ensure the GGC function is well understood, aligned and effectively supported.
- Support the GGC in preparing for key internal and external engagements – ensuring clear, consistent and high quality messaging.
- Represent the GGC team in key forums as appropriate.
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:
- Experience working with a large and complex organisation with a complex stakeholder environment
- Proven track record of project management and delivery across multiple business areas, effecting positive change
- Demonstrated ability to identify opportunities for continuous improvement and drive enhancements to ways of working, processes and team effectiveness
- Experience of effective management of executive/non-executive relationships
- Excellent organisational, communication and interpersonal skills and an ability to influence and drive matters to successful completion
- Track record of successfully building effective relationships across an organisation and engaging with a wide range of stakeholders
- Trusted, discreet and proactive in anticipating needs and adding value
- Strong analytical skills with the ability to translate data into actionable insights
- Previous experience as a Business Manager, Chief of Staff for a division or equivalent
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 other higher education institutions in the UK. We work with around 330 employers to help build a secure financial future for almost 577,000 members and their families. We are one of the largest private defined benefit pension schemes in the UK, with total assets of around £76.8bn (at 31 March 2025). To find out more, please visit https://www.uss.co.uk.
USSL 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.
Business Manager employer: USS Investment Management Limited
At USS, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where your contributions as a Finance Change Lead will be valued from day one. With a strong focus on employee development, flexible working arrangements, and a commitment to inclusivity, you will have the opportunity to grow your career while making a meaningful impact in the finance transformation landscape. Our supportive culture, generous benefits, and emphasis on work-life balance make USS a truly rewarding place to work.
Contact Details:
USS Investment Management Limited Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Business Manager
✨Get Involved in Industry Events
Jumping into industry events or leadership conferences can really help boost your visibility. Not only will you meet potential employers, but you’ll also get the chance to connect with other leaders in corporate management. Look for local or even virtual events that focus on leadership—every connection counts!
✨Engage in Professional Networks
Join professional management associations relevant to your career goals. These networks often host workshops, panels, and networking events that can put you in front of hiring managers. Plus, they can give you the scoop on upcoming roles, such as the full-time positions with companies like USS Investment Management Limited.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
When reaching out to potential employers, particularly for leadership roles, demonstrate your leadership capabilities with real examples. Share stories from your previous positions that illustrate how you handled challenges and drove results. This will help you stand out when you apply to places like USS Investment Management Limited.
✨Tailor Your LinkedIn Presence
Ensure your LinkedIn profile is specifically tailored to corporate leadership. Highlight achievements, showcase relevant content and engage with posts in management groups. This not only builds your credibility but keeps you on the radar of companies looking for candidates like you as they post full-time opportunities.
We think you need these skills to ace Business Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Us Your Leadership Skills:In the corporate leadership and management field, it's essential to highlight your leadership experience. Use your CV to flesh out examples of how you've led teams to success or managed significant projects. We want to see specific instances where your actions made a tangible difference in your previous roles!
Quantify Your Achievements:Numbers talk, especially in management! When detailing your achievements in your CV or cover letter, don’t just say you improved team performance. Instead, say you boosted productivity by 30% over six months through effective strategy implementation. This makes your application pop and shows us what you can bring to USS Investment Management Limited.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to narrate your professional journey. We’re looking for motivation and a clear understanding of what corporate leadership means to you. Dive into your aspirations and how they align with the values and vision of USS Investment Management Limited. Make it personal – we want to get to know you!
Tailor Your CV for Management Roles:Ensure your CV reflects the management skills that are essential for this role. Focus on competencies like strategic planning, team building, and problem-solving. Use a clean layout, and don’t forget to align your experiences with those keywords mentioned in the job listing. This will help you stand out from the crowd!
How to prepare for a job interview at USS Investment Management Limited
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
You’ll want to thoroughly convey your unique approach to leadership. During the interview with USS Investment Management Limited, be ready to share real-life examples of how you've inspired and motivated teams in the past. Think about specific achievements that illustrate your strategic thinking and your ability to drive results.
✨Brush Up on Management Theories
Expect some technical questions related to management theories and practices. Brush up on concepts like transformational leadership, servant leadership, or situational leadership. Be prepared to discuss how you would apply these theories to the role at USS Investment Management Limited, especially in the specific context of the challenges they’re currently facing.
✨Craft Your Vision for the Company
Since this is a full-time leadership role, spending time thinking about your vision for USS Investment Management Limited could really set you apart. Consider potential strategies for growth and how you would lead teams towards achieving them. This shows not just enthusiasm, but also strategic foresight that they’ll likely be looking for in a candidate.
✨Emphasise Team Dynamics and Culture
In corporate leadership, team dynamics and organisational culture are everything. Be ready to discuss how you've fostered a positive work environment in previous roles. Bring up examples of how you've managed diverse teams effectively—this will resonate well at USS Investment Management Limited as they’re likely seeking a candidate who can enhance their workplace culture.
