Investor Relations Professional

NOC #11202

  • Environment Primarily indoor/office work
  • Education Post-secondary degree
  • Average salary $87,000 to $135,000

Career profile

Investor relations (IR) professionals communicate with investors, shareholders, government organizations and the overall financial community. Their work helps private and institutional investors make informed decisions to buy or sell shares in their company. They typically coordinate shareholder meetings and press conferences, releasing financial data, leading financial analyst briefings, publishing reports to Canadian securities regulators and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and handling the public side of any financial crisis. IR departments are required to be tightly integrated with a company’s accounting department, legal department and executive management team.

IR departments work closely with communications departments. Investor relations professionals inform company personnel to avoid trading in black-out periods, where it is illegal to discuss certain aspects of a company and its performance.

Exploration and production, Oil and gas services, Pipelines, Oil sands, Carbon capture, utilization and storage, Emissions reduction, Well site decommissioning, Engineering, design and procurement, Construction, Contracted and turnaround maintenance, Start-up and commissioning, Geothermal, Solar, Wind

In this occupation activities may include:

  • Conducting analysis and presenting recommendations on ways to enhance disclosure.
  • Assisting in developing strategies to increase awareness of the company within the investment community.
  • Supporting the team in developing/preparing IR materials during quarterly reporting and annual general meeting preparation in addition to other ad hoc projects requested by senior management.
  • Building strong relationships with the sell-side and buy-side analyst community and acting as a spokesperson for the company.
  • Monitoring and providing analysis on market trends, share ownership and performance relative to peers.

Education

  • This career typically requires a bachelor’s degree in public relations, communications, journalism, commerce, business administration or related post-secondary designation. Some employers may prefer professional designation (CFA, CPA) and/or an MBA.

Certifications

  • Certification is not required, as there is currently no legislation regulating this occupation.

Additional Requirements

  • Familiarity with complex situations such as mergers and acquisitions, shareholder activism, proxy challenges and litigation are an asset.
  • Specific health and safety certifications may be required, determined by location of work and company requirements

  • Minimal or no travel
  • Primarily indoor/office work
  • Work not physically demanding

You have strong public speaking and outreach skills, and also have the financial knowledge necessary to sell individuals on the benefits offered by your company.

  • Communications and Media
  • Economics and Accounting
  • Laws and Regulations
  • Understanding Risk
  • Public Speaking
  • Writing, Technical Writing, Document Production
  • Managing Finances
  • Cost Benefit Analysis
  • Managing Conflict
  • Persuasion
  • Collaborative
  • Leading / Living the Vision and Values