Senior Analyst

**Key Responsibilities**
- Responsibility for their allocated markets/sectors ensuring up to date knowledge and awareness of the key investment considerations both financial and non-financial which will be material over the investment horizon of USS
- Proactively identify investment opportunities which align to USSIM’s Equities Investment Philosophy and provide estimates of their intrinsic value to the Head of Developed Market Equities or Senior Portfolio Managers using a detailed understanding of valuationtechniques
- Use their experience and judgment to build a precise investment thesis and antithesis. Wherever possible they identify metrics which can be monitored to establish how reality compares to our expectations
- Document research and recommendations in line with the requirements set out in the Equities Documentation Requirements and the standards reasonably expected of an investment professional. If a company is involved in controversial activities the Analystmust document how these have been included in our analysis
- Proactively review active portfolio exposures to identify where our confidence in our assumptions and hypothesis are changing either positively or negatively and recommend changes in portfolio exposure to benefit from these changes
- Lead meetings with company management. Prepare agendas in advance including the purpose of the meeting, questions and follow ups. Maintain records of company meetings in accordance with the Equities Documentation Requirements.
- Seek improvement in the investment research process via interactions with other members of the Equities/RI team and external experts
- Voting decisions with advice from the RI team and in consultation with the Head of Developed Market Equities or Senior PM
- Work with the Quant research team to develop indicators and screens to identify where to conduct in depth research
- Liaising with other investment analysts to form global research groups where appropriate to enable the exchange of information which improves investment returns within the department and for the Scheme
- Gain a thorough understanding of the relevant investment mandate’s restrictions, companywide day to day controls and the order-settlement cycle

**Relationship and Communication Responsibilities**
- Regular meetings with the Head of Developed Market Equities and Senior Portfolio Managers regarding the evolution of their investment ideas and improvements to the investment research process and team efficiency
- Engage with the Responsible Investment team to support the assessment of extra-financial factors, to coordinate engagement with companies and policymakers and uphold USS’ commitment to be an active and responsible owner of assets
- Communicating with Board, IC and Exco-as requested
- Communicating with sell side analysts, industry experts, consumers, and suppliers to support investment analysis
- Lead meetings with company management in an appropriate manner, maintaining and upholding USSIM’s reputation
- Business Continuity/Disaster Recovery: In the event of a BC/DR incident the Analyst should inform their manager as soon as possible of their whereabouts and follow the instructions given to them

**Primary Measures of Contribution**:

- Outperformance of the portfolio(s) they contribute to relative to the specified benchmark(s) as measured by Ortec
- Quantitative and qualitative performance of the controllable steps of the investment process

**Technical Competencies, Skills and Experience**
- Sector experience - Desirable
- Quantitative modelling skills - Desirable
- Strong understanding of valuation techniques and fundamental analysis
- Professional Qualifications (CFA or equivalent)
- A good understanding of corporate governance, public equity markets and shareholder rights
- Good oral and written communication skills
- Ability to represent USS externally in a professional manner
- Degree level education desirable but not essential