Public Markets Operations Associate

USS Investment Management Limited; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 42,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

USS Investment Management Limited is seeking a Public Markets Operations Associate to support day-to-day trading operations, reconcile assets, and collaborate with front office and fund accounting teams in London. You will investigate price exceptions, manage NAV differences, and work with external managers and custodians to ensure accurate valuations and robust processes.

The role offers opportunities to influence operational improvements, develop end-to-end Public Markets experience, and

Qualifications

• Financial experience beneficial.
• Business/Operational experience of working with a range of assets and awareness of investment products.
• Experience of Bloomberg AIM an advantage.
• Problem solving with independent thought.
• Ability to support more junior team members.
• Attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Daily investigation and correction of price exceptions and the stale / static values of assets.
• Daily investigation and resolution of reconciling items of all cash and positions across the Scheme for internal and external managers.
• Liaison with third-party providers for Fund Accounting and Custodian services (JP Morgan and Northern Trust).
• Working with the Middle Office on daily trade support review and on onboarding/new transitions.
• Liaison with external fund managers and internal trading desk to investigate differences and clear reconciliations.
• Review NAVs produced by Fund Accountants and align IBOR with ABOR to reduce differences.
• Identify and deliver improvements on day-to-day processes; support BAU and wider team initiatives.
• Operational oversight of Defined Contribution cash flows on segregated mandates.
• Create and monitor operational procedures.

Skills

Attention to detail

Excel skills

Problem solving

Independent working

Can-do attitude

Collaboration

Education

Part/fully qualified accountant

Tools

Bloomberg AIM

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 Public Markets 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 process of Public Markets Operations working closely with the front office teams and support areas in performing day-to-day tasks and delivering business readiness for new initiatives impacting the Operations team. Good collaboration with external stakeholders (fund managers, custodians, and fund accounting teams) is a key requirement.

The role is within the Public Markets team and is responsible for the day-to-day core trading support of the scheme, investigation of exceptions and reconciliations which feeds into the NAV process. The Scheme investments cover a broad range of assets, and a flexible can-do attitude is required. The role supports the overall purpose of USS by helping to ensure accuracy in the valuation of the assets held on behalf of the members.

What you will be doing

Delivery

• Daily investigation and correction of price exceptions and the stale / static values of assets
• Daily investigation and resolution of reconciling items of all cash and positions across the Scheme for internal and external managers
• Liaison with the third-party providers for Fund Accounting and Custodian services (JP Morgan and Northern Trust)
• Working collaboratively with the Middle Office sub-team on daily trade support review and on new onboardings and transitions
• Liaison with external fund managers and internal trading desk in investigating and clearing reconciliation differences
• Daily review of NAV’s produced by our Fund Accountants, investigation of differences between the IBOR and the ABOR with the aim to better align the two and reduce the differences
• Identify & deliver improvements on day-to-day process
• Support business initiatives impacting the wider team and delivery of BAU
• Operational oversight of Defined Contribution cash flows on segregated mandates
• Creation and monitoring of operational procedures

Stakeholder management

• Build a strong relationship with USS colleagues
• Develop close working relationships with third party service partners

Development

• Look for training opportunities to enhance skills
• Improve personal skill matrix score each year
• Develop end-to-end experience of Public Markets Operations

Support

• Provide support to the Public Markets Operations Manager in resolution of queries, supporting junior team members and managing stakeholders

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:

• Financial experience beneficial
• Business qualification advantageous – part/fully qualified accountant
• Business/ Operational experience of working with a range of assets and awareness of investment products
• Experience of Bloomberg AIM an advantage
• Problem solving with independent thought
• Ability to support more junior team members
• Attention to detail
• Can do attitude
• Ability to work independently
• Good Excel skills

Why join us?

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

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

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 500,000 members and their families. We are one of the largest pension schemes in the UK, with total assets of around £90.8bn (at 31 March 2022). 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].