Senior Responsible Investment Associate

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 Senior Responsible Investment Associate, you will make a meaningful and valued contribution from the outset. This role will provide a great opportunity to support the delivery of PMG’s Responsible Investment strategy, ensuring consistent, efficient and high-quality execution across PMG asset classes and mandates. The successful candidate will bridge the gap between technical RI expertise and practical, value creation applications within private markets.

PMG consists of a 75+ person team that oversees c. £25 billion in assets across a growing and diverse portfolio of private equity, infrastructure, private credit and property investments on behalf of 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 it to maximise origination, due diligence, transaction execution and asset management by tailoring the right mix of skills.

PMG is capable of deploying capital across the full range of private market investing (direct, joint ventures, partnerships, co-investments and funds), and with in-house asset management and strategy teams complementing its investment function, PMG has developed a strong track record of innovation that is frequently recognised by its peers across equity, credit and property and, as one of the UK’s pre-eminent private markets investors.

PMG partners with many of the largest, most respected global financial institutions. Being part of the UK’s largest pension scheme and serving the needs of USS and its members, PMG takes its role as a responsible investor seriously and is committed to adopting and promoting strong ESG credentials across its investments.

What you will be doing

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

1. The implementation of PMG’s Responsible Investment strategy in line with USS Responsible Investment Strategy and Priorities (Climate, Nature, People, Governance).
2. The development and maintenance of total portfolio RI materiality analytics and frameworks (SASB materiality, climate physical risk, nature risk).
3. Thematic research projects focused on investment idea generation at total PMG portfolio level.
4. Investment Due Diligence and Asset Management
5. The development and maintenance of PMG RI frameworks, tools and templates for investment due diligence and asset management purposes (e.g., RI indicator, Asset Management RI Templates, ESG surveys, AI powered enhancements).
6. In collaboration with the PMG RI Senior Director, act as point of contact and source of knowledge for PMG RI on investment due diligence, ensuring consistency, documentation and appropriate escalation of material RI issues.
7. RI engagement with external fund managers and delivery of ILPA aligned manager assessments.
8. RI forums including the PMG RI Working Group and the RI Portfolio Review Committees across Property, Direct Equity, Credit and Funds.
9. Reporting and Communications
10. PMG RI inputs into USS-level reporting (TCFD Reporting, Stewardship Reporting, investment case studies).
11. PMG RI communication with internal stakeholders (USS RI, Investment Product Management -IPM, Investment Committees and Boards).
12. PMG inputs into the annual GHG Emission Footprint.

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:

1. Experience in responsible investment, ESG, sustainability within asset management, asset owner or consulting background. Experience within private markets is a plus.
2. Strong project management skills with experience managing multi-stakeholder environments.
3. Good research and analytical skills, with great attention to detail.
4. Excellent written and verbal communication skills
5. A collaborative, pragmatic and delivery focused approach aligned with USS and PMG values.
6. Passion for sustainability and making a measurable difference for our members in the long run.

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 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 talentEmployee