Alternative Operations Associate

Universities Superannuation Scheme Ltd; London; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking an Alternative Operations Associate to join their dynamic team. This role offers a unique opportunity to engage with end-to-end processes supporting alternative assets, collaborating closely with various departments. The ideal candidate will possess strong Excel skills, attention to detail, and a background in deal implementation. The organization fosters a culture of growth and support, providing ample opportunities for professional development and a generous benefits package. If you are excited about making a meaningful impact in a collaborative environment, this position is perfect for you.

Benefits

Generous annual leave package

High-quality pension scheme

Enhanced occupational sickness pay

Financial contributions for personal development

Private healthcare

Discounted gym membership

Learning and development opportunities

Employee Volunteer Days

Cycle to Work Scheme

Qualifications

• 1-3 years post-qualification experience in finance or operations.
• Experience in deal implementation and alternative investments preferred.

Responsibilities

• Support new deal implementation and manage cash settlements.
• Collaborate with Risk, Legal, Compliance, and Finance teams.

Skills

Deal Implementation

Cash Settlements

FX Transactions

Excel Skills

Problem Solving

Attention to Detail

Stakeholder Management

Education

ACA/ACCA/CIMA Qualified

Tools

Excel

Job description

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.

About the role

In your role as Alternative Operations Associate you will make a meaningful and valued contribution from the outset. This role will provide a great opportunity to provide exposure to our end-to-end processes which support both existing and new alternative assets, working closely with the front office team and other support areas.

What you will be doing

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

• Support new deal implementation, working with internal teams and third parties to deliver operational readiness
• Manage cash settlements, asset setup, FX transactions, and reconciliation processes with minimal errors
• Collaborate across Risk, Legal, Compliance, Performance, and Finance teams as needed
• Oversee reporting activities, including incident logging, data delivery, and presentation preparation
• Maintain and develop relationships with key third-party providers such as Aztec and JPM
• Proactively seek training opportunities and contribute to continuous improvement
• Build strong internal and external stakeholder relationships to deliver scalable, controlled solutions

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:

• ACA/ACCA/CIMA qualified with 1–3 years post-qualification experience
• Experience in deal implementation, with awareness of operational and finance elements
• Background in alternative investments and exposure to private markets preferred
• Strong Excel skills and excellent attention to detail
• Proven ability to work independently, solve problems, and deliver projects
• Flexible and adaptable to changing priorities
• Strong initiative and ability to work across asset classes (property, private equity, private credit)

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). To find out more, please visit https://www.uss.co.uk.

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 [e-mail].