Alternative Operations Associate

USS Investment Management Limited; London; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a leading pension scheme as an Alternative Operations Associate, contributing to both existing assets and new deals. Collaborate with experts while managing complex investment deals and enhancing operational processes within a supportive and inclusive environment.

Benefits

Generous annual leave package

Access to a high-quality pension scheme

Enhanced sickness pay

Financial contributions towards personal development

Private healthcare services

Discounted gym memberships

Employee Volunteer Days

Cycle to Work Scheme

Qualifications

• 1-3 years post-qualification experience.
• Experience within an alternatives manager is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Support deal teams on new private market business.
• Manage asset setup, funding, and reconciliations.
• Deliver accurate reporting and maintain relationships with third-party providers.

Skills

Problem Solving

Initiative

Flexibility

Education

Accounting Qualification (ACA/ACCA/CIMA)

Job description

When you join USS, the size and scale of our pension scheme mean 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 an Alternative Operations Associate, you will make a meaningful and valued contribution from the outset.

This role offers a great opportunity to support both existing assets and new deals, originated by the Private Markets Group ("PMG"), working closely with other operational support teams to onboard complex investment deals/structures and facilitate their integration into USS’s operational environment in a controlled manner.

The role provides exposure to our end-to-end processes supporting both existing and new alternative assets, working closely with the front office team and other support areas.

The Operations Department is organized into two teams: Public Markets & Alternative Operations.

This role sits within the Alternative Operations Team, established in 2020 to oversee the end-to-end processes of USS’s £25bn+ Alternative Asset operations.

What you will be doing

As a trusted member of Operations, you will:

• Support deal teams on new private market business, ensuring operational readiness and smooth implementation
• Manage asset setup, funding, and reconciliations for existing mandates
• Coordinate with internal teams and third parties to meet deal and service requirements
• Deliver accurate reporting, including events, operations data, and oversight materials
• Maintain strong relationships with Aztec, JPM, and other third-party providers
• Seek training to improve skills and increase personal performance
• Build effective internal and external stakeholder relationships to drive scalable solutions

About you

We know that sometimes people can be put off applying 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:

• An accounting qualification (ACA/ACCA/CIMA) with 1-3 years post-qualification experience
• Deal implementation experience, with a focus on operational and finance components
• Experience within an alternatives manager is desirable
• Knowledge of private market asset classes (property, private equity, private credit)
• A proven track record in initiative and project delivery
• Strong problem-solving skills with independent thinking
• Flexibility and ability to re-prioritize tasks as needed

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 others' lives.

We are committed to helping you build your career by providing development opportunities. We focus on recognizing and supporting each individual's unique career path, driven by an engaged and proactive management team.

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

How we will reward you

• Generous annual leave package
• Access to a high-quality pension scheme through Universities Superannuation Scheme
• Supportive policies (including enhanced sickness pay and family-friendly leave)
• Financial contributions towards personal development and wellbeing
• Access to health and wellbeing services such as private healthcare and discounted gym memberships
• Learning and development opportunities
• Employee Volunteer Days to support local communities
• Cycle to Work Scheme

Our culture and values

Our people are what make us different. We work together to create a diverse and inclusive culture that embraces individuality, where everyone feels comfortable being themselves. Our purpose emphasizes putting members 'front and centre' of everything we do, embedded through our core value:

• Integrity

About us

Founded in 1974, Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS) is the principal pension scheme for UK universities and higher education institutions. We work with around 330 employers to secure the financial futures of over 528,000 members and their families. As one of the largest pension schemes in the UK, with assets around £75.5bn (as of 31 March 2023), we are committed to excellence. For more information, visit https://www.uss.co.uk

USSIM is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We aim to ensure our recruitment process is flexible and inclusive to attract diverse candidates and recruit the best talent. If you need reasonable adjustments or support during your application, please contact [e-mail].