Job Title:
INVESTOR RELATIONS (IR) MANAGER
Function:
GROUP FINANCE
Location:
BURY, GREATER MANCHESTER
Reporting to: (job title)
GROUP INVESTOR RELATIONS DIRECTOR
CONTEXT AND JOB PURPOSE
The purpose of JD Sports’ IR team is to provide high quality, insightful and timely information on the Group’s equity story, performance and business drivers to the financial markets, so that they can make informed investment recommendations and choices. Our mission is to create a world-class IR function to carry out this purpose, and to achieve a valuation multiple befitting of JD Sports’ financial performance, position and strategic growth opportunities.
We are looking to recruit an IR Manager, working closely with and reporting to the Group IR Director. This is a high-profile role within the organisation, with significant exposure to teams across the business including senior and executive management.
The successful candidate will play a key role across JD Sports, developing a strong and trusted network within the Group to help facilitate consistent and accurate communications to the financial markets.
The primary remit of the candidate will be to help “build the IR engine” – this means implementing a best practice IR programme within JD Sports, including establishing a strong internal process for the results cycle, developing our investor feedback mechanisms to senior and executive management and the Board, coordinating our IR calendar (e.g., roadshows, conferences and store tour events), maintaining JD Sports’ financial model, reviewing market data and analysts models, maintaining company-compiled analysts’ consensus, analysing monthly share register movements, and keeping relevant internal teams updated on peer, market and share price news.
Alongside the Group IR Director, the candidate will manage all interactions with the financial markets (the investor community and sell-side research analysts), as we seek to build trust, confidence and achieve a more appropriate valuation. Together, they will oversee the development and management of all market communications, both regulatory and ad hoc.
The IR team are trusted advisors to the CEO, CFO, senior management and the Board. The Group IR Director reports to the CFO and is a member of the Finance Senior Team. As part of a team of 3, the IR Manager will have an IR Analyst reporting into them (the IR Analyst will have a dotted line to the Group IR Director).
The candidate is therefore expected to mentor and guide their work and professional development. The IR team will also be supported by the EA to the CFO, and is expected to maintain a strong and inclusive day-to-day relationship with the EA.
The successful candidate will differentiate on an exemplary attitude, willingness to learn, communication skills, diplomacy and people management skills, numerical ability, and desire to constantly push to improve and innovate JD Sports’ IR.
ACCOUNTABILITIES – ACTIVITIES AND KEY DELIVERABLES
Establish a strong internal process to support the preparation of RNS and presentation materials (as appropriate) for full & half year results, and quarterly trading updates. This includes: (i) establishing timely mechanisms to collate information on business performance, risks and opportunities; (ii) ensuring sufficient time has been reserved for reviewing materials and rehearsing with CEO/CFO; and (iii) sourcing and preparing financial analyses to support our results materials, scripts and Q&A.
· Build strong relationships with internal stakeholders, to maintain a thorough understanding of all commercial and financial aspects of the business, including risks and opportunities.
· Contribute to the planning and preparation of market sensitive communications, such as full & half year results, quarterly trading updates and ad hoc releases, as well as content for any City presentation updates (including capital markets events). Ensure the CEO/CFO are fully prepared for these communications and subsequent investor/analyst meetings.
· Develop and support delivery of an annual calendar of activity to communicate the corporate strategy and its delivery to the investor community (including roadshows, conference attendance, fireside chats/roundtables with analysts, sales team briefings, store tours and site visits, and capital markets events).
· Collect and analyse investor feedback, perceptions and opinions to ensure we have a thorough understanding of market sentiment, potential issues and consistent themes.
· Develop a CRM system for the collection of meeting history, meeting notes, distribution lists, and to support the preparation of tailored investor profiles.
· Oversee the production of IR Board reports, including stock market/share trading commentary, key competitor/peer commentary, investor engagement and feedback, share register analysis, and broker note coverage (including the evolution of analysts’ consensus and price target/recommendations).
· Monitor competitor/peer results and announcements, and any key market and retail industry trends (such as Kantar, ONS, BRC and Barclays data), and circulate as appropriate to internal teams within JD Sports.
· Maintain a sound understanding and interpretation of all broker and rating agency research analysis on the business and relevant competitors, including forecast models and commentary, and circulate as appropriate to internal teams within JD Sports.
· Oversee the monthly development, maintenance and analysis of the share register, and the weekly circulation of short interest and short positions.
· In conjunction with our corporate brokers, develop a weekly wrap email for senior and executive management, and a quarterly “market drivers” report.
· In conjunction with our corporate brokers, develop a refreshed and highly tailored investor targeting strategy, including the creation of individual plans to manage major investors.
· Maintain analysts’ consensus and ensure its timely and accurate publication on the corporate website.
· Oversee the maintenance of JD Sports’ financial model (historical and forward-looking), including benchmarking versus peers.
· Ensure messaging and IR activity aligns with our external/media corporate communications.
· Support the Secretariat team in their delivery of the AGM, Annual Report and internal verification procedures.
· Arrange and oversee Chair and NED investor engagement as appropriate (e.g., Chair, RemCo Chair and SID).
· Oversee the ‘Investors’ section of the JD Sports website, including the timely and accurate publishing of the financial calendar, analysts’ consensus and results presentation materials.
· Manage JD Sports’ ADR programme; primary point of contact with OTCQX.
· Maintain a strong working relationship with Legal and Secretariat, corporate brokers and other advisors to ensure the company adheres to all its regulatory commitments, and is aware of evolving market practice, regulation and investor themes and IR best practices.
· Primary contact for ESG investors. Over time, to oversee the preparation and delivery of IR’s ESG engagement and communications planning, including reporting, investor and analyst engagement, and preparation of an ESG deck (in conjunction with the ESG team).
· Over time, supporting the Group IR Director in the establishment of innovative IR practices (e.g., ‘teach-in’ sessions on specific areas of the business, more sophistication in analysts’ consensus compilation, retail/PCM investor communications, activism/defence share register monitoring, IR social media, use of AI in IR, the publication of aide memoires in the run-up to results, IR insight video communications, etc.).
· People management and development of the IR Analyst.
SPHERE OF INFLUENCE
The role and the wider IR team provides a crucial link between JD Sports and investors and analysts, ultimately influencing strategic decisions and direction in the organisation. The ‘eyes and ears’ of the City.
The candidate will develop and maintain an excellent network of internal stakeholders who are reliant on IR’s insights to understand and effectively manage external expectations.
SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE
Cultural and personality fit will be crucial. The successful candidate must have a commercial mindset, high intellect, strong influencing and communications skills, significant drive and energy and ‘can do’ attitude.
They will have a demonstrable track record of success in Investor Relations within a well-established listed company. They must also have a good balance of strategic vision and hands-on style, low ego and real intellectual curiosity. They will be comfortable getting into the detail, while offering a holistic, strategic view of the organisation both internally and externally.
This role will require strong relationship-building and multiple stakeholder management skills. They will also have real drive and motivation and will be comfortable operating at all levels of the organisation. They will be relaxed with a certain level of uncertainty and ambiguity.
In addition to being a high-performing, dynamic person and a genuine team player able to operate in a non-political, collaborative environment, the IR Manager must possess:
· A low ego, down-to-earth, exemplary attitude and willingness to learn are must-have attributes.
· A financial background and relevant professional qualifications are an advantage (e.g., ACA, ACCA, CIMA, CFA – or working towards any of these).
· Experience in the consumer retail sector is an advantage.
· A track record of success in well-regarded blue-chip corporates.
· The ability to function as a sounding board to the Group IR Director (and CFO as appropriate) and the wider business, providing strategic, financial and analytical support – a well-rounded professional.
· Commercial flair and acumen – ability to see the whole picture without losing sight of the detail.
· A strong understanding of macroeconomics, capital markets trends, competitor activities, industry dynamics, and customer trends.
· Excellent financial modelling, analytical and numerical capabilities.
· High intelligence and the ability to challenge the status quo and undisputed ethical behaviour and conduct.
· The ability to analyse and present accurate and concise financial information both internally and externally.
· Excellent communication (written and verbal) and great questioning skills with the authority and credibility to gain respect both internally and externally with people at all levels.
· Proven and demonstrable track record in developing, motivating and empowering junior team members.
· A motivated and hard-working attitude, with high energy levels and the ability to absorb pressure while delivering results.
OTHER RELEVANT INFORMATION
· Regular European and international travel may be required.
· Office and remote working policies are applied as appropriate
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