Investor Relations Manager

Established in 1981 with a single store in the Northwest of England, the JD Group is a leading omni-channel retailer of Sports Fashion, Outdoors and Gyms. JD Sports Fashion Plc was listed on the London Stock Exchange in 1996 and has been a FTSE100 publicly quoted company since 2019. We want to be the leading global omnichannel retailer in the sports and outdoor industry.

The purpose of JD Sports’ Investor Relations (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. Our mission is to create a world-class IR function 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” – implementing a best practice IR programme within JD Sports, including:

• Establishing a strong internal process for the results cycle.
• Developing 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 and reviewing market data.
• Analysing monthly share register movements.

The candidate will manage all interactions with the financial markets, overseeing 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.

ACCOUNTABILITIES – ACTIVITIES AND KEY DELIVERABLES:

• Establish a strong internal process to support the preparation of RNS and presentation materials for full & half year results, and quarterly trading updates.
• Build strong relationships with internal stakeholders to maintain a thorough understanding of all commercial and financial aspects of the business.
• Contribute to the planning and preparation of market sensitive communications.
• Develop and support delivery of an annual calendar of activity to communicate the corporate strategy to the investor community.
• Collect and analyse investor feedback to ensure we have a thorough understanding of market sentiment.
• Oversee the production of IR Board reports.
• Monitor competitor/peer results and announcements.
• Maintain a sound understanding of broker and rating agency research analysis.
• Oversee the monthly development and maintenance of the share register.
• Develop a refreshed and tailored investor targeting strategy.
• Ensure messaging and IR activity aligns with external/media corporate communications.
• Support the Secretariat team in their delivery of the AGM and Annual Report.
• Manage JD Sports’ ADR programme.
• Primary contact for ESG investors.

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• A commercial mindset, high intellect, strong influencing and communications skills.
• Demonstrable track record of success in Investor Relations within a well-established listed company.
• Experience in the consumer retail sector is an advantage.
• Excellent financial modelling, analytical and numerical capabilities.
• Proven track record in developing, motivating and empowering junior team members.
• Regular European and international travel may be required.

We offer amazing benefits including staff discount on JD Group and other brands within the organisation and personal development opportunities.