Job Description:

Senior Analyst Developer - AI Lead

Business Area: Operations

Place of Work: London

Contract Type: Fixed Term Contract

Our client, USS, a principal pension scheme for universities and higher education institutions is hiring for a Senior Analyst Developer - AI Lead.

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.

About the role

In your role as Senior Analyst Developer - AI Lead, you will make a meaningful and valued contribution from the outset. This role will provide a great opportunity to provide technical guidance and architectural oversight for AI Technical solutions within USS, primarily focusing on the Investment Organisation (USSIM). As a key member of the “AI Incubator” working group, the role ensures that AI initiatives align with architecture principles, governance frameworks, and strategic objectives. Acting as a bridge between innovation and operational delivery, the architect defines standards, validates designs, and supports the safe and scalable adoption of AI technologies across the business. The architect investigates, understands, and trials new AI technologies and new ways of working, enabling USS to leverage emerging capabilities effectively and responsibly.

What you will be doing

As a trusted part of the Operations team you will: 

• Assist Definition of AI Architecture Principles and Standards to guide technical solution design and ensure compliance with organisational policies.
• Develop Reference Architectures and Patterns for common AI use cases, promoting consistency and interoperability.
• Design End-to-End AI Solutions, covering data ingestion, development, deployment, and integration with existing platforms.
• Validate Solution Designs against technology architectures; provide assurance to governance boards/Steering groups.
• Embed AI Governance and Risk Controls, ensuring adherence to security, compliance, and ethical standards.
• Lead Prototyping and Technical Feasibility Assessments for emerging AI technologies and use cases.
• Monitor AI Trends and Advise on Innovation, including platforms such as Azure AI, Copilot Fabric, Snowflake.
• Collaborate with Technical, Platform, Data, and Infrastructure Architects to align AI solutions with organisational strategy.
• Provide Technical Leadership and Guidance to project teams and stakeholders throughout the delivery lifecycle.
• Partner with the business leads to bridge innovation and operational delivery.

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:

• Knowledge and exposure to AI technologies and concepts (RAG, LLMs, MCP, Vector Databases, Ollama)
• Expert level in the following development languages (C# / PowerShell / Python / SQL)
• Experience developing solutions using modern frameworks, languages and techniques
• Demonstrable ability to operationalise solutions ensuring operational best practice (environments, source control, DevOps, role separation etc)
• Ability to convey technical concepts, ideas, risks, and approaches to less technical / senior management
• Design and architecting solutions in a financial services company, preferably gained through experience in a buy side institution or asset owner
• Azure cloud data management platforms (Fabric, Snowflake)
• On-premises data storage applications (SQL Server, SharePoint, File servers)

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 other higher education institutions in the UK. We work with around 330 employers to help build a secure financial future for almost 577,000 members and their families. We are one of the largest private defined benefit pension schemes in the UK, with total assets of around £76.8bn (at 31 March 2025). 

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.