Pensions Policy and Stakeholder Executive

Business Area: Scheme Strategy and Stakeholder Relations

Place of Work: Liverpool

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 Pensions Policy and Stakeholder Executive you will make a meaningful and valued contribution from the outset. This role will provide a great opportunity to to join the pensions strategy and engagement team.

You will be responsible for leadership and management oversight of USS’s pensions policy, stakeholder liaison and support, and sector engagement activities.

You will promote awareness within USS of relevant higher education sector, stakeholder, policy and regulatory developments for USS as well as being an ambassador for USS in external engagements with stakeholders and the sector.

What you will be doing

As a trusted part of the Scheme Strategy and Stakeholder Relations you will be responsible for:

• Providing leadership and direction to the Pensions Business through being an active and engaged member of the Pensions Executive Committee, acting as a role model for collaboration across the business, and leading a function of around 10 staff
• Driving a proactive approach to strategic sector and employer engagement. You will horizon scan for relevant developments for USS and its stakeholders in the Higher Education sector and pensions policy, and build valuable networks with strategic decision makers across the Higher Education sector
• Establishing a proactive approach to planning and preparation for relevant board and committee meetings and other internal and external deadlines
• Identifying opportunities for collaboration with our stakeholders, and ensure stakeholder-led workstreams are effectively supported and resourced by the business
• Overseeing a Technical Policy function to ensure that changes in law, regulation and stakeholder requirements are effectively implemented by the Trustee, and that there is an robust framework for managing the employer participation caseload, with clear policies and procedures to support Trustee decision making

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 this role you will have:

• Expert understanding of the UK pensions and lifetime savings sector and its direction of travel across the policy, regulatory and industry landscape
• A strong understanding of the Higher Education sector and their immediate, medium and long-term needs, including an understanding of the funding outlook
• Significant experience of workplace pensions, their policies and procedures, covering both defined benefit and defined contribution schemes
• Demonstrable leadership competency in acting as a role model and ambassador for an organisation and managing and developing cross-functional teams
• Excellent presentation, communication, influencing, and networking skills as well as experience of presenting complex material to boards and committees and at external events

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 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 the USS website.

The Private Markets Group (PMG) consists of a 70+ 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.

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 our investment function, PMG has developed a strong track record of innovation that is frequently recognised by our peers across equity, credit and property and, as one of the UK’s pre-eminent private markets’ investors, PMG often partners with many of the largest, most respected global financial institutions.

PMG’s portfolio includes ownership of some of the UK’s largest and most recognisable private companies including Heathrow Airport and Moto, and, through its holdings, is an established presence in the UK renewables sector. We also hold governance positions through our investments in a range of companies located across the EU, North America and Australia with exposure across different industries and sectors.

Being part of USS Investment Management (USSIM), the in-house manager for 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.

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.