UCIM continues to invest in its team and all employees have tailored development plans. For example, five investment analysts have been supported to take the Chartered Financial Analyst Program while at UCIM. Three further team members have enrolled in completed apprenticeships and diplomas in HR, Investment Operations and Data Analytics.
UCIM has been kindly and ably supported by the Apprenticeship team at the University, particularly Colin Long, who has provided information and advice on apprenticeship standards, providers, and enrolment.
Several team training sessions took place this year, including presentation training, writing workshops to assist in the preparation of investment memos, unconscious bias training to support UCIM’s commitment to diversity and inclusion, and a fascinating session with a former member of the government secret service to understand body language and detect deceit, helpful for due diligence of fund managers.
In line with the University’s own sustainability strategy, UCIM has developed a Local Environmental Sustainability Plan (“LESP”), driven by a newly formed working group. UCIM measures its own emissions, the majority of which are due to team travel, and has a strategy and plans in place to reduce these over time.
.svg)
.svg)
I first considered investment operations as a career path during my time on the graduate programme at a well-known global investment bank. I was drawn to the mechanics behind investment decision-making and enjoyed enhancing operational processes. It quickly became clear that this area aligned well with both my interests and strengths.
I first heard about the opportunity at UCIM in February 2021. After 14 years at a boutique asset manager working with numerous US endowments, I was inspired by their mission-driven approach and felt it was the right time to transition and further my career. The interview process was thorough, but what stood out to me was how professional yet genuinely caring the team were throughout the recruitment journey.
I lead the operational management of the CUEF investment portfolio across its full lifecycle, overseeing trade execution, reconciliation, cash management, and reporting. I’m also responsible for the strategic direction of the investment operations function and team development.
Operations teams often fly under the radar, but they’re absolutely essential. Without accurate execution, reliable data, and strong controls, even the best investment ideas can fall apart. When everything runs smoothly, we’re rarely noticed, and that’s exactly the point.
What I’ve enjoyed most about my time at UCIM is being part of a prestigious university that values collaboration, learning, and continuous improvement. It’s also been incredibly rewarding to help shape team culture, mentor emerging talent, and contribute to the long-term success of the fund and its mission.
Working at a university endowment fund offers a unique blend of purpose and complexity. I don’t ever feel I’m just supporting financial returns; I’m contributing to a long-term mission that funds education, research, and societal impact. Operationally, it’s diverse and intellectually engaging, with exposure to a wide range of asset classes and manager relationships.
My advice is to embrace the detail. It’s a role where precision, problem-solving, and particularly collaboration really matter. You’ll be at the heart of the investment process, ensuring everything runs smoothly behind the scenes. If you enjoy structure, working across teams, and making a real impact without being in the spotlight, it’s a hugely rewarding path.
