Investor Relations Associate

Reports to: Investor Relations Officer
Location: Cambridge, MA
Start Date: Immediately
Contact: Irma Zoepf
Senior HR Associate
jobs+irassociate@rootcapital.org

Summary

The Investor Relations associate’s main responsibilities will be to support relationship management and building new debt pipeline that will enable the team to reach five-year debt fundraising goals. In 2012, Root Capital launched a five year strategic plan that demands more than $200M in new and renewed debt. The Investor Relations Associate will play a significant role in helping the organization realize this goal. S/he will be responsible for identifying and cultivating new investor prospects and maintaining existing relationships with select Root Capital’s investors, which includes more than 150 foundations, government agencies, development finance institutions, wealth managers and high net worth individuals. S/he will be responsible for communicating technical information in a compelling way.
 

Mission and History of Root Capital

Root Capital’s mission is to grow rural prosperity by investing in small and growing agricultural businesses that build sustainable livelihoods in Africa and Latin America.
Root Capital is a nonprofit social investment fund that grows rural prosperity in poor, environmentally vulnerable places in Africa and Latin America by lending capital, delivering financial training and strengthening market connections for small and growing agricultural businesses.
Root Capital clients include associations and private businesses that help create sustainable livelihoods by aggregating the products of hundreds, and often, thousands of farmers. Since our launch in 1999, we have provided more than $400 million in credit to over 460 small and growing agricultural businesses.
Root Capital envision a thriving financial market serving agricultural businesses that generate long-term social, economic, and environmental sustainability for small-scale farmers and their communities around the world. Headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Root Capital currently has associated offices in Costa Rica, Mexico, Peru and Kenya.
 

Responsibilities

1. Support debt fundraising activities and investor relationship management. (55%)
   • Maintain relationship management database to ensure accurate and timely tracking of prospective and existing investor accounts.
   • Provide regular communication with the investor community, including progress reports that explain the contexts - financial, political, environmental and social – that are relevant to Root Capital’s work in the more than thirty countries in which we operate. Other communications will include solicitations, acknowledgments, financial updates.
   • Manage day-to-day relationships with select Root Capital investors, including responding to information, reporting and due diligence requests in a timely manner, and following up on renewal reminders.
   • Coordinate with and support fundraising operations, including drafting and signing paperwork, payment instructions and schedules, reporting requirements and data processing.
   • Provide regular analysis of investor relationships and investments with a goal of streamlining, optimizing, and improving current practices and products.
2. Increase investor pipeline and raise new debt through lead generation and cultivation. (40%)
   • Identify new prospective investors through research and by attending conferences and events.
   • Cultivate prospective investors through outreach as well as coordinating and assisting in pitch meetings.
   • Create and update marketing materials for new and existing debt products.
   • Coordinate information and due diligence requests from prospective investors.
3. Other organizational and team responsibilities (5%)
   • Collaborate with other teams to ensure there is a continuous exchange of information and data as needed.
   • Provide investor relations team support and back-up as needed.
   • Participate in organization-wide meetings and activities.

Other tasks or projects as assigned.
 This position description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work of this position, and is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of individuals in this role.
 

 Qualifications and Experience

• Relevant experience developing and/or managing relationships with clients such as in fundraising, sales or customer service.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including experience analyzing and synthesizing data. Ability to effectively present information and data in a clear and compelling manner.
• Bachelor’s degree in international development/politics, business, or other discipline requiring both strong analytical and presentation skills.
• 2-3 years of professional experience.
• Understanding of and passion for financial markets, international development, and/or impact investing preferred.
• Entrepreneurial spirit and professional maturity; ability to work independently, yet know when to seek support.
• Collaborative work style; works well on a team. Able to adapt to a rapidly changing environment. 
• Strong attention to detail and ability to meet deadlines.
• Passion for Root Capital’s commitment to worldwide poverty alleviation and environmental conservation.
• Must be authorized to work in the US.
   

Salary

Commensurate with experience.
 

Applications and Nominations

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis. Candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.
Applications including a resume and cover letter describing your interest, qualifications, language abilities, salary requirements, and how you learned of the position should be sent to: jobs+irassociate@rootcapital.org.  Please type “IR Associate” followed by your name (Last, First) as the subject line of your email (e.g. “IR Associate – Marrero, Marc”). Finalist candidates will be required to provide at least three work-related references.
Root Capital is an equal opportunity employer.
Moreinfo: http://rootcapital.org/about-us/careers/investor-relations-associate