ODD Manager

ODD Manager

Business Area: Operations

Place of Work: London

Contract Type: Fixed Term Contract

When you join USS, the size and scale of our pension scheme mean 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 ODD Manager, you will make a meaningful and valued contribution from the outset.

This role provides a great opportunity to conduct operational due diligence reviews of externally managed funds and service providers.

You will conduct enhanced due diligence reviews (i.e., background checks) and AML/KYC checks on private markets transactions across a mix of direct investments, co-investments, and fund investments, as well as conduct due diligence checks on DvP brokers.

What you will be doing

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

Delivery

• Leading operational due diligence reviews of prospective and existing externally managed investments (both public and private, across a range of structures/asset types) and service providers, including making on-site visits, interviewing managers and performing background checks.
• Conducting AML/KYC checks on private market transactions.
• Conducting DvP broker due diligence reviews.
• Preparing and/or reviewing operational due diligence reports and presenting findings at investment committee meetings as required.
• Assisting with team planning, pipeline management and scheduling meetings.
• Assisting with preparing management information for relevant stakeholders.

Stakeholder Management

• Building strong relationships with USS colleagues, exercising influencing skills.
• Collaborating with internal stakeholders, including deal teams, legal and compliance.
• Mentoring junior team members.

Development

• Developing and maintaining a good understanding of operational risk, including operational controls and areas of potential weakness, as well as the operational implications of new developments in alternative investments and compliance issues. Seeking training opportunities to enhance skills.
• Periodic interaction with relevant internal subject matter experts.
• Being involved in and leading the continual improvement and development of the operational due diligence process.

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:

• A background in a similar role and the ability to assess and mitigate operational risks.
• Extensive experience in operational due diligence and/or audit, as well as knowledge of investment structuring.
• A thorough understanding of the trade life cycle and key risks associated at each stage.
• Familiarity with the financial services regulatory environment.
• Strong analytical and report-writing skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, and the ability to build strong relationships.
• Empathetic interviewing skills.
• The ability to work within a small team and, when required, independently, and to produce a well-supported opinion.
• The ability to work to deadlines.
• Professional or higher degree qualifications, for example CFA, CAIA, ICAEW, ICAS, ACCA, or progress towards either a risk management, legal, accounting or auditing qualification.

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 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 Days to support the communities where you work and live
• Cycle to Work Scheme

Our culture and values

Our people are what make 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 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 [email protected].