Investment Director

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.

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 Investment Director, you will make a meaningful and valued contribution from the outset. This role will provide a great opportunity to assist in the strategy and origination and lead execution of investments and divestments for Direct Equity with £3bn+ to deploy across 10-12 investments in the next two to three years and support ongoing portfolio management of the Direct Equity portfolio.

The Direct Equity team consists of c.30 professionals managing approximately £8bn across a range of infrastructure strategies, from core to opportunistic infrastructure. The team is responsible for the strategy, origination and execution of new direct investments, divestments, and portfolio company management. The team has a global mandate, focusing on UK, Europe and N. America infrastructure opportunities with a plan to invest in equity securities that provide an attractive risk adjusted return for USS members.

The portfolio includes ownership of UK private companies including Moto, NATS, Dukes Education, Westerleigh and, through its holdings, is an established presence in the UK renewables sector. We also hold control positions in several EU, North American and Australian businesses with exposure across different industries and sectors.

The Private Markets Group (PMG) consists of a 80+ person team that oversees c. £25 billion in assets across a fast-growing and diverse portfolio of private equity, infrastructure, private credit and property investments on behalf of the Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS). By operating as a single team, with individual areas of specialism and expertise, PMG is able to combine its resources through a “OnePMG" approach to investing which allows us to maximise origination, due diligence, transaction execution and asset management by tailoring the right mix of skills.

What you will be doing

As a trusted part of the Private Markets team you will:

1. Lead and support making investment recommendations to the Head of Direct Equity, Direct Equity team and Private Markets Investment Committee (PMIC)
2. Lead execution of investments for Direct Equity strategies
3. Manage relationships with advisors, investment banks, investors and management teams for the benefit of Direct Equity strategies and Private Markets Group (PMG)
4. Support origination of opportunities and recommend investment themes and lead roadmap execution
5. Contribute to cross PMG sourcing and execution and more broadly to Private Markets investment idea generation which fit with USS’ strategic priorities
6. Manage and oversee (as appropriate) the transaction execution process with key service providers, including legal, commercial & financial due diligence and tax advisers
7. Oversee post transaction monitoring including reviewing performance, analysis, reporting and portfolio company value creation plan initiatives
8. Represent USS on portfolio company boards as well as within industry including attendance and presenting at conferences and proactively promoting PMG’s investment strategies
9. Support or recommend (as appropriate) potential divestments and oversee or lead marketing and execution of Direct Equity divestments
10. Proactively participate in operational aspects of PMG, recommending productivity or efficiency opportunities including the use of Ai, changes in process, procedures or structure
11. Provide coaching and support to junior members of the team given our focus on developing junior talent within PMG. Line management responsibilities

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:

• Alignment with Private Markets Group values and behaviours (THRIVE)

• Extensive experience of M&A in infrastructure sectors, particularly in UK & Europe

• Strong track record of managing and executing M&A processes (both acquisitions and disposals)

• An exceptional understanding or experience in principal investing

• Extensive network within the infrastructure community

• A strong understanding or experience of participating in the governance of portfolio companies

• Additional language skills are beneficial

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 wellbeingAccess to a range of health and wellbeing services i.e., private healthcare, discounted gym membershi