What is Investor Relations?
Investor Relations (IR) is the field of corporate communications specializing in information and disclosure management for the companies it holds as clients and the investment banks shareholders.
Investor relations in asset management differs slightly from investment banking in that you will be leasing with investors in the fund itself. This involves communicating the analytics of the fund, meeting potential investors, presenting the terms and conditions and investment strategies of the fund, lockup periods, minimum investment, etc. as well as speaking to prime brokers.
The job of investor relations in fund management can be split into three main roles:
- Communicating with the funds shareholders
- Communicating with the institution’s clients about the clients investments
- Communicating with investors in the institution’s public issues (ie. when the institution sells new shares in the market)
The investor relations function also often includes the transmission of information relating to intangible values such as the company’s policy on corporate governance or corporate social responsibility.
If I work in Investor Relations what will I be doing?
The role will include the following:
- Building and maintaining a database of existing and potential investors
- Keeping investors informed
- Identifying and educating new investors about your company
- Preparing presentations
- Briefing colleagues
- Co-ordinating relationship management internally and externally
- Monitoring the success of fund raising programmes
How do I get a graduate scheme / internship / entry level job or career in Fund Investor Relations?
Obtaining a graduate scheme, internship or entry level role in fund investor relations can be very challenging and competitive – though very achievable by getting your application, CV, interview and general approach right. You can guarantee that ninety percent of applicants for fund investor relations roles will not know how to apply, so getting your application in the top ten percent makes things a lot more achievable.
Approaching the company in the right way will make all the difference. Combining the right approach with a strong interview (and in some cases assessment centre) writ a strong focused tailored CV will go a long way. Make sure you have gone through the free videos on this sight by entering your name and email address in the top right of this screen underneath the video. Once you have filled this in you will have instant access to everything you need to secure your career in fund investor relations.
