Job of the Week: Head of Investor Relations for Maiden Emerging Markets Fund

Investor relations hiring has been one of the recruitment sectors that has shown resilience over the last twelve months. While in the past private equity firms might have boosted their investor relations teams before a fundraising, today most firms are striving to maintain an efficient and high quality team at all stages of the fundraising cycle.

Independent emerging markets investment manager Zaff is currently hiring for a head of investor relations in anticipation of launching its maiden fund in the coming months.

Zaff is focused on emerging markets assets and distressed investments. The 17-strong team has significant emerging markets expertise and will be seeking significant positions in private and public companies originating from or influenced by emerging markets.

According to recruiters there has been a demand for investor relations professionals who focus not only on the fundraising side, but also on providing regular information to investors once the funds have been raised and subsequently maintaining the relationships between GP and LP. There has been an increase in demand for more detailed information from investors as they strive to manage their exposure, risks and potential returns from their private equity portfolios. And this in turn has been boosting hiring in this area.

Private equity fundraising and investing in the emerging markets, however were both down in the first quarter of 2012, according to recent figures from the Emerging Markets Private Equity Association (EMPEA). Thirty funds raised US$7.8 billion for the quarter to 31 March 2012, compared to 46 funds that raised US$9.9 billion in the first quarter of 2011. In terms of investments, US$4.8 billion was invested in 198 deals during the period, compared to US$8.5 billion in 217 deals completed for the first quarter of last year.

By region, China accounted for the lion’s share of fundraising for the period raising $125 million, followed by India with $400 million and Brazil with $125 million. In terms of amount invested, China again led taking $1,814 million, followed by India with $1,051 million, Brazil with $682 million and Russia with $50 million.

If investor relations in the emerging markets is your bag, scroll down to find out more.

***Job of the Week***

Job Title: Head of Investor Relations

Firm: Zaff

Salary: Undisclosed

Location: Houston, Texas

Firm Description (as cited via EMPEA website): Zaff is an independent investment manager specializing in emerging markets assets and distressed investments in private and public companies.

Job Description (as cited via EMPEA website): Zaff seeks a head of investor relations who will serve as the focal point for all contact with existing and potential investors. The successful candidate will:

• Support, and at times lead, all capital raising activities for Zaff funds by sourcing potential individual and institutional investors
• Establish close, working relationships with existing investors and institutions to maximize fund raising opportunities
• Target and develop strategic investors
• Manage investor queries; ensure prompt responses that exceed expectations
• Coordinate placement agents
• Diligently remain current on all aspects and performance of the business
• Develop strong, working relationships with investors; develop programs to ensure regular contact with all investors
• Primary responsibility for implementation of Clienteer, the CRM system, and ensuring contact with investors is entered on a timely basis
• Preliminary compliance checking to ensure that potential clients are suitable for the firm’s products; follow up compliance checking to the extent required by the Administrator
• Track competitor performance
• Coordinate fund administrator’s production and delivery of investor updates
• Prepare additional investor communications including management description and analysis of quarterly and annual performance
• Develop and execute, in coordination with the investment team, the syndication strategies for co-investment deals
• As needed, support the investment team on preparation of co-investment materials

Qualifications/Experience (as cited via EMPEA website):

• Outstanding interpersonal and communications skills. Must be engaging with strangers and at ease in diverse social situations.
• Superior oral and written communication skills with mastery of English and, at minimum, another language
• 15 years prior experience working in emerging markets financial and capital raising capacities
• Strong negotiating skills
• Exceptional corporate finance and valuation skills
• Exceptional cultural fluency with an appreciation for different cultural and business norms
• Flexibility for significant international travel
• Ability to work well under pressure with a high-volume workload and tight deadlines
• Flexibility to work significant overtime when projects demand with little or no notice
• Flexibility and availability to work with and be responsive to individuals in different time zones
• Bachelor in Finance or Economics plus MBA; JD a plus

If you think you fit the bill please apply here or submit your resume to employment@zaff.com

For more private equity job opportunities head over to the peHUB career center, co-hosted with eFinancialCareers.com.

Image credit: Photo of emerging markets signpost courtesy of Shutterstock