Manager, Real Estate

ABOUT UPP

UPP is the first pension plan of its kind in Ontario’s university sector, proudly serving over 39,000 members across four universities and 12 affiliate organizations. Our purpose is to bring greater retirement peace of mind to the university sector by investing with integrity and serving members with care. As a sector-wide plan designed for growth, our doors are open to all Ontario universities.

Together, we’re a team of progressive thinkers and agile doers operating within a fast-paced culture of collaboration and respect. We believe in bringing smart and capable people together to create, solve and grow with a clear shared vision and values of integrity, inclusivity, ingenuity, and impact.

Our culture is intentionally welcoming and purposefully rooted in equity, diversity, inclusion, and reconciliation (EDIR). We believe diverse teams, perspectives, and lived experiences contribute to better decisions and a better workplace.

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.

Join us in building a bright future for our members, our organization, and each other.

THE ROLE
This is an exciting opportunity for an exceptional professional to join a team of high performing professionals and make a significant impact. Reporting to the Associate Director, Real Estate, the Manager, Real Estate (“Manager, Real Estate”) will build strong trusted relationships and communicate effectively with internal and external stakeholders in support and development of UPP’s Private Markets Real Estate investment strategy & portfolio. An inclusive ‘one fund’ mindset will unite the 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.

UPP is based in Toronto’s financial district and has a hybrid work model (~2 days / week in office).

SPECIFIC ACCOUNTABILITIES
- Contribute to the development of UPP’s Private Markets investment strategy on an on-going basis.
- Provide analysis, research, and support to all parts of the Private Markets Real Estate portfolio.
- Support in the assessment of new investment opportunities and existing portfolio investments and provide recommendations to senior team members within Real Estate and Private Markets.
- Lead certain aspects of due diligence and feasibility research on potential investments, with support from senior members of the private markets team including but not limited to financial modelling, investment strategy, financial accounting, tax structuring, financing, commercial, market, technical, compliance, ESG and regulatory.
- Develop relationships with investment partners and contribute to developing a long-term pipeline of potential investments.
- Integrate environmental, social and governance (ESG) considerations into investment processes and stewardship practices.
- Provide input on valuations, risks, and performance on UPP’s portfolio of private market real estate investments that ensures UPP has up-to-date knowledge.
- Remain abreast of market conditions in private markets to ensure UPP is positioned to take advantage of emerging opportunities.
- Contribute to UPP’s reputation as a respectful employer, partner, and participant in the financial sector.
- Collaborate with other industry participants to promote a sustainable economy and society.
- Other duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE
- Bachelor’s or Master’s university degree in Finance, Business Administration, Economics, or Planning.
- CFA designation and/or well-developed Argus and Excel modelling capabilities are assets.
- Minimum of 5-6 years of experience in the commercial real estate, development, asset management, investment management and/or pension industries, investment banking or consulting.
- Able to work in a multi-faceted stakeholder environment and aspire confidence in a broad range of constituencies through a proactive, respectful, and accessible communication style.

ATTRIBUTES
- High degree of self-motivation and professionalism.
- Ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects in a time sensitive manner.
- Excellent relationship building and conflict resolution skills.
- Demonstrated leadership abilities.
- Excellent interpersonal and verbal communication skills.
- A collaborative approach to understand and respond to organizational needs and partner with various organizational and control functions.
- High degree of professional ethics and integrity.
- Strong commercial and strategic judgment.
- Alignment with UPP’s desire to be a leader in Responsible Investing, ESG, and c