Associate Investment Director

Business Area: Private Markets

Place of Work: London

Contract Type: Permanent

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 Associate Investment Director you will make a meaningful and valued contribution from the outset.

This role will provide a great opportunity to assist in the origination, execution, and negotiation of investments for Direct Equity mandates and support ongoing portfolio management of the £8bn Direct Equity portfolio and a plan to invest £3-4bn over in 10-12 investments in the next 3 years.

The Direct Equity team consists of 25+ professionals managing approximately £8bn across 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.

What you will be doing

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

• Support origination and execution of potential investments for Direct Equity strategies across Infrastructure sectors and risk profiles
• Contribute to formal investment recommendations to the Head of Direct Equity, Direct Equity Approvals Committee (DE AC) and Private Markets Investment Committee (PMIC)
• Lead multiple workstreams on a transaction with key advisers, including legal, commercial & financial due diligence and tax advisers ensuring that process remains within approved budgets
• Oversee modelling and valuation analyses of potential Direct Equity investments
• Manage internal stakeholders including Finance, PAIR, RI and Operations teams
• Manage and develop key relationships with investment banks and due diligence providers, including supporting originating new investment ideas that fit Direct Equity portfolio strategies and contributing more broadly to Private Markets investment idea generation
• Assist post transaction monitoring including oversight of valuation models, reporting and value creation of Direct Equity investments. Contribute to formal asset management recommendations to Asset Management Committee's and the Direct Equity Portfolio Review Committee
• As appropriate, represent USS on portfolio company boards as well as within industry including attendance and presenting at conferences and proactively promoting PMG's investment strategy and team
• Participate in portfolio management by proactively suggesting changes to the portfolio construction with supporting analysis
• Proactively participate in operational aspects of the PMG, suggesting and implementing efficiencies or changes in process, procedures or structure where necessary
• Primary responsibility for documenting mandate process including AC Agendas and Minutes, and deal files
• Provide line management to individual analysts & associates in addition to mentoring and support to all associates and analysts

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 of infrastructure, with experience in executing transactions
• Significant experience of managing M&A processes
• Extensive knowledge of the infrastructure community
• Excellent financial modelling skills, strong understanding of company valuation techniques and portfolio construction
• Capable of both bottom up investment analytics and top down strategic thinking
• Ability to manage analysts, associates and senior associates to deliver high quality work under constrained timelines
• Competent at prioritisation, process organisation, and management of multiple workstreams
• Ability to influence and negotiate to fulfil investment objectives

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 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 an 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 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

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 .