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Building a bright future – together
We’re looking for talented people who want to create, act, and make a positive impact.
An inspiring vision
UPP President & CEO Barbara Zvan named Canada’s Top CEO and Corporate Citizen of the Year by The Globe and Mail’s Report on Business Magazine, 2022. Learn more about the award here.
What we do
At UPP we have one mission – to bring greater retirement peace of mind to the university sector.
A decade in the making, UPP is the first pension plan of its kind in Ontario’s university sector. Together, we’re a team of progressive thinkers and agile doers operating within a fast-paced culture of collaboration and respect.
Left: Catherine Jutsun, Senior Business Analyst, Strategic Initiatives Delivery. Right: Nasser Jamal, Manager Communications & Strategy.
How we work
Every day is different at UPP.
We believe in bringing smart and capable people together to create, solve, and grow with a clear shared vision, without ego or judgement. From shaping our member services approach to implementing new investment strategies, you’ll have the opportunity to work on once-in-a-career projects.
“Culture is the centre of what we do at UPP. As a purpose-driven organization, we need to deliver strong outcomes for our members. To that end, we’re creating a culture where all employees feel empowered, rewarded, and embraced along their careers.”
Omo Akintan, Chief People Officer (CPO)
Inclusive employee-focused benefits
- Defined benefit pension plan
- Hybrid work model
- Work from abroad policies
- Comprehensive group benefits including medical, dental, vision, etc
- Extended paramedical and mental health service coverage
- Flexible health care and lifestyle spending accounts
- Fertility treatments, paid parental leave, and top-up benefits
- Gender affirmation coverage
FAQ
Both! We embrace flexibility, with a hybrid work model, where employees are expected to work in the office at least two days a week. With our work abroad policy, you can also work from anywhere up to eight weeks a year.
We have a modern office in the heart of Toronto’s financial district with comfy collaborative zones, quiet focus areas, and a well-stocked kitchen. We have a friendly and welcoming environment where employees are encouraged to bring their full selves to work.
There’s no such thing as “busy work” at UPP. We work cross-functionally, meaning you’ll get often get to work with closely with colleagues from across the organization, gaining exposure to new approaches and perspectives along the way.
Our core values provide the compass for how we approach our work each day:
- Integrity: We understand the gravity of our responsibilities and approach every decision and relationship with accountability, transparency, and respect.
- Inclusivity: We will embrace the diversity and dignity of our members, Joint Sponsors, partners, and team in all interactions and relationships.
- Ingenuity: We will adapt and evolve in a changing world, embracing new ways to deliver enhanced value and performance excellence.
- Impact: We will foster a financially, socially, and environmentally resilient future for members in all we do, aligning with like-minded partners to amplify our impact
Why join UPP?
Do work that matters
We are duty-bound to serve our members’ interests, and it’s a responsibility we don’t take lightly. That’s why we’ve ingrained sustainability in our work from day one—to ensure our members have a resilient future to retire into, both today and for generations to come.
Grow every day
We work cross-functionally, meaning you’ll often get to work closely with colleagues from across the organization, gaining exposure to new approaches and perspectives along the way.
Stronger together
Collaboration is how UPP was born, and it’s how we work with each other and our partners day in, day out. No one at UPP is just a number (even if they are excellent at math) and every win is a shared win.
Prioritize wellness
We go beyond the standard suite of benefits because we know wellness is more than just vision and dental – but those are important too! Ultimately, it’s about ensuring our people are cared for in the ways that matter to them, whether that’s extended coverage for mental health, fertility, gender affirmation, or travel.
Enoch Alifasi, Business Analyst.
“I appreciate having a comprehensive benefits package that includes mental health services.”
Enoch Alifasi,
Business Analyst
From left to right: Wenyan (Wendy) Chen (former Intern Analyst, Treasury). Ann-Marie Orszulak (Intern, People). Levon Arden (former Intern Analyst, Actuary). Sijia (Lilly) Liu (former Intern Analyst, Public Markets).
Left: Laura Walsh, Associate Director, Pension Operations. Right: Jeff Li, Director Total Rewards.
“UPP’s culture of openness, respect, and being down to earth is the recipe for the best work environment.”
Alex Mendiola,
Coordinator, Facilities and Office Services
From left to right: Parnaz Ehsaan, Specialist, Talent Acquisition. Sue Dujmovic, Pension Specialist. Kenoeto South, Senior Analyst, Digital Enablement.
Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Reconciliation at UPP
Strong and supportive cultures don’t happen by accident. Our culture is 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. For us, a successful culture is one where UPP employees of all identities feel embraced and empowered to thrive.
Our EDIR program and three-year roadmap are the blueprints for our inclusive, respectful working environment and our way of honouring the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Call to Action #92.
Early talent
Launch your career at UPP
UPP proudly offers a range of paid internship opportunities, available to current students, co-ops, recent grads, early career workers.
More than a stop on your resume, we’ve designed an experience that helps early talent gain vital skills for long-term success.
This means helping interns and new grads cultivate a strong network with talented professionals at all levels and gain exposure to unique projects. And as an organization with a growth-mindset, we’re just as eager to learn from you.
- Competitive base pay
- Mentorship and accessible leadership
- Snacks, coffee, tea, and flavoured water
- Valuable work experience in a growing, high-performance, people-focused culture
- Flexible hybrid work style
FAQ
Jobs are posted ~3 months before the internship start date. We recruit for Summer (May to August), Fall (September to December) and Winter (January to April) work terms.
We offer exciting opportunities to gain experience across the following departments:
- Actuarial
- Investments
- Investment Finance & Operations
- Corporate Finance
- Responsible Investing
- Strategic Initiatives Delivery
- Legal & Governance
- People
- Data & Technology
Lengths vary from 4-16 months.
We hire both currently enrolled, and recently graduated Undergraduate and Graduate students from various Universities and Colleges, as well as professional training centers and affinity groups.
Yes. In addition to a competitive base pay, we offer the following:
- Mentorship and accessible leadership
- Snacks, coffee, tea, and flavoured water
- Valuable work experience in a growing, high performance, people focused culture
- Flexible hybrid workstyle
What we're up to
UPP invests in global leader in renewable energy development
New fund investment supports development and construction of renewable energy projects around the world.
UPP’s President and CEO highlights net-zero leadership in address to UN Climate Ambition Summit
Barbara Zvan details how UPP’s Climate Action Plan is helping grow a strong, resilient fund to deliver secure pension benefits for members.
Ready to make an impact?
Join us in building a bright future for our members, our organization, and each other.
Do work that matters
Grow every day
Stronger together
Prioritize wellness
Our company
Member resources
Join the conversation
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