Public Markets Operations Associate - Universities Superannuation Scheme Limited

Public Markets Operations 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.

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 and 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

As a trusted part of the Operations team you will be responsible for:

Delivery

1. Daily investigation and correction of price exceptions and the stale / static values of assets
2. Daily investigation and resolution of reconciling items of all cash and positions across the Scheme for internal and external managers
3. Liaison with the third-party providers for Fund Accounting and Custodian services (JP Morgan and Northern Trust)
4. Working collaboratively with the Middle Office sub-team on daily trade support review and on new onboardings and transitions
5. Liaison with external fund managers and internal trading desk in investigating and clearing reconciliation differences
6. 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
7. Identify & deliver improvements on day-to-day process
8. Support business initiatives impacting the wider team and delivery of BAU
9. Operational oversight of Defined Contribution cash flows on segregated mandates
10. Creation and monitoring of operational procedures

Stakeholder management

1. Build a strong relationship with USS colleagues
2. Develop close working relationships with third party service partners

Development

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

Support

1. 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:

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

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

1. Great starting salary
2. Generous annual leave package
3. Access to a high quality pension scheme provided through Universities Superannuation Scheme
4. Supportive people policies (including enhanced occupational sickness pay and family friendly pay)
5. Financial contributions towards your personal development to help you maintain your physical and mental wellbeing
6. Access to a range of health and wellbeing services i.e., private healthcare, discounted gym membership
7. Learning and development opportunities to develop your skills, knowledge and talent
8. Employee Volunteer Day’s to support the communities where you work and live
9. 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:

1. Integrity
2. Collaboration
3. Excellence

About us

The Universities Superannuation Scheme has circa 599,000 members and £84 billion (at March 2026) in assets, making it one of the largest private pension schemes in the UK.

The scheme is managed and administered by our corporate trustee, the Universities Superannuation Scheme Limited, which provides the highest quality pension service to our members and employers.

In addition, the wholly owned subsidiary USS Investment Management Limited oversees the investment of around 70% of the scheme's assets. Everything the USS Group does is aimed at ensuring USS is the pension scheme of choice for the higher education sector in the long-term.