University Pension Plan

OUR COMPANY BACKGROUND & CULTURE

The UPP is a new, jointly sponsored pension plan that serves all active, retired, and deferred members and beneficiaries of the six current pension plans of the participating institutions - Queen’s University, the University of Guelph, the University of Toronto, and Trent University. UPP serves more than 35,000 members and manages assets of approximately $10.5 billion. The UPP is an exciting and ground-breaking pension start-up, intended to help enhance the long-term sustainability of defined benefit pension plans in the university sector for generations to come. Drawing on the decades of experience of our predecessors, our commitment is to protect the stability of our members’ pensions and deliver service excellence to our members and employers.

As a long-term investor, we recognize that environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) factors support risk management and value creation. As stated in our Responsible Investing Policy, we are committed to incorporating ESG considerations into our investment management activities and we collaborate with other industry participants in the promotion of a sustainable economy and society.

 

Our people drive performance. We live a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion – across race, place, gender expression, sexual identity, and cultures.  The ability to bring your whole self to work drives performance. We actively look for talent that shares this commitment to inclusion and connectedness.

THE ROLE

This is an exciting opportunity for an exceptional professional to make a significant impact by helping integrate responsible investing practices into the investments of an exciting and ground-breaking new pension plan.

 

As part of a strong, dedicated internal Responsible Investing (“RI”) team and reporting to the Managing Director, RI, the Manager, RI will build strong relationships and communicate effectively with internal and external stakeholders in support of UPP’s comprehensive RI and ESG goals. The Manager will contribute to organizational success by helping to implement the RI aspects of UPP’s investment strategy, and helping to communicate with our members and other stakeholders. An inclusive ‘one fund’ mindset unites UPP’s investment team in a shared mission to meet the pension promise, deliver on UPP’s expectations as a responsible investor, and position our investment platform as a key competitive differentiator.

 

This dynamic role will provide opportunities to engage with internal Investment, Finance, Risk, and Communications partners as well as external stakeholders and partners.

 

Due to COVID-19 UPP provides Work-From-Home flexibility (~2 days in office).

SPECIFIC ACCOUNTABILITIES

The key areas of accountability for the Manager, RI include, but are not limited to, strategic partnerships, knowledge management and ESG integration:

 

Strategic partnerships

• Initiate, develop, and maintain mutually beneficial relationships and collaborations with new and existing partners
• Provide strategic advice and help guide UPP regarding partnerships and collaborations.
• Identify opportunities for staff, Trustees and Sponsors to get value from UPP’s relationships
• Identify, develop, and execute strategies for research and development collaborations with universities to encourage knowledge transfer and support UPP’s investment strategy
• Help establish an international RI-focused network of university-related pension funds
• Help establish a multi-year plan for member education and engagement with plan with members
• Contribute to UPP’s reputation as a respectful employer, partner, and participant in the financial sector
• Develop project schedules including milestones, critical paths, timelines, deliverables and reporting

Knowledge management

• Support preparation of materials that provide UPP’s members, Trustees, Sponsors and other stakeholders with clear and transparent RI information
• Remain current on ESG trends and developments as well as the evolution of regulatory activity around RI and disseminate key information to key stakeholders

ESG integration

• Work with UPP professionals to support systematic integration of ESG considerations into assessments of new investment opportunities and existing portfolio investments
• Stay up to date and provide thought leadership on methodologies and tools for ESG and climate change assessment, measurement, and management
• Support training and educational opportunities for UPP staff and stakeholders

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

• An undergraduate or graduate degree
• A minimum of 5 years of related work experience in sustainability
• Strong understanding of important sustainability issues like climate change, diversity, equity and inclusion, corporate governance, Indigenous rights and reconciliation, biodiversity, human rights or impact measurement and management – ideally from an investor perspective
• Strong computer skills including solid grasp of MS Office applications
• Familiarity with the knowledge, skills, and abilities applied by investment professionals and in particular the responsible/sustainable aspects including ESG integration and stewardship (pursuit of CFA designation an asset)
• Familiarity with a range of financial instruments and alternative investment strategies such as hedge funds, private equity and credit, real estate, and infrastructure, as well as more traditional equity and fixed income strategies
• Familiarity with Canadian and global business, investment, and financial markets

 

ATTRIBUTES 

• Persuasive and confident communicator, both verbal and written
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects in a time-sensitive manner
• Ability to build and preserve trusting relationships with peers, external partners and stakeholders
• High degree of professional ethics and integrity
• Strategic, analytical, and entrepreneurial mindset
• Resourceful and persistent in gathering and assessing information with the ability to quickly distill complex concepts
• Alignment with UPP’s desire to be a leader in responsible investing, ESG, and climate change

PERSONALITY TRAITS

• Positive attitude
• Self-motivated
• Strong work ethic
• Collaborative
• Resourceful
• Curious
• Passionate about sustainability

UPP is pleased to offer accommodations for applicants with disabilities. If you are interested in applying for a job opportunity, or are contacted by UPP regarding a job opportunity, please advise of any accommodations you may require.