Title:  Senior Investor Relations Manager

The Senior IR Manager is accountable for financial analysis of Group-wide performance for external reporting to the financial markets, creation and influence of the strategic narrative and providing leadership and support to delivery of the Investor Relations programme.

We are seeking a self-starter, analytical and inquisitive individual with energy and gravitas – this individual will report into the Group Director of Investor Relations, and work closely with the Group Financial Controller and FP&A team.

The successful candidate will provide leadership, analysis and support across Investor Relations and Financial Planning & Analysis.

They will:

1. Provide analysis, insight and messaging of QinetiQ and its peers’ financial performance, trends over time, segmental performance (growth, margin, return, etc) and valuation implications. Use that analysis to support the development and shaping of the strategic narrative and equity investment case

2. Engage with analysts and investors to ensure they have all suitable information to make a fair and informed assessment of QinetiQ’s investment case

3. Feedback to QinetiQ management on financial market trends and investment community views and queries on QinetiQ

4. Plan and deliver on the IR communication programme, including results presentations, investor roadshows and seminars

5. Support wider financial analysis across the Group as required to support internal analysis and insight, as well as external communications

This role is an important and visible role with direct exposure and engagement with the Group CEO, CFO and Board – a high quality, diligent and energetic individual is required. The role provides an interesting and exciting opportunity for someone looking to progress and develop their finance and/or IR career in QinetiQ

Key Accountabilities:

Financial analysis

• Provide financial analysis of Group performance, looking back over history and forward in the 5 year Integrated Strategic Business Plan (ISBP)
• Lead, develop and manage the IR model of Group financials, providing analysis of key external metrics and trends: by contract, segment, sector, country, growth, margin, returns, M&A performance, trends, half-on-half, etc
• Provide wider financial analysis as required to support group-wide internal and external reporting
• Provide insight from numbers, creating compelling and clear narrative from the financial analysis provided

The QQ investment case

• Alongside the Director of IR, develop and deliver the IR communication programme; including results presentations, sell-side conferences, sales briefings, investor seminars, roadshows, etc
• Develop investor messaging and materials for investor briefings
• Be a credible and informed point of contact for analyst and investors, responding promptly to queries; i.e. through maintaining a deep and up-to-date knowledge of QinetiQ’s investment case and key financials
• Actively participate in analyst and investor meetings and conferences, recording key themes, questions and supporting management as necessary
• Maintain records of investor interaction in the IR CRM system, analysing key themes to better inform our awareness of investor areas of interest

Equity research analysts

• Build relationships & become a trusted point of contact for sell-side equity analysts
• Lead and take ownership of the QQ consensus, review models from equity analysts and provide feedback based on publicly available information to ensure that consensus remains accurate and consistent with QQ’s published information and guidance; publish consensus regularly on the QQ website

Management information

• Monitor competitor results and market activity, drafting briefing notes for Director of IR, CEO and CFO as required, for example on peer group activity, M&A, share price movements, ESG positioning, dividend, etc
• Monitor and analyse QQ’s share register; providing insight and analysis
• Provide internal summary and analysis of key sell-side research on QinetiQ and the wider sector, for the CEO and CFO

Reporting

• Lead and manage the timetable and process for financial reporting presentations
• Support preparation of financial results and other market related communications; including drafting/editing of RNS, presentations, scripts and Q&A preparation
• Lead drafting of Board materials (monthly IR input to ED report and bi-annual IR presentation) explaining share price movement, changes to the share register, analyst research and other key events
• Lead and own the Strategic section of the Annual Report, providing drafting of material and support to the overall ARA project
• Provide support and analysis on ESG-related matters, working closely with the Investments and non-financial reporting FP&A manager
• Monitor regulatory developments and keep informed with IR best practice, bringing continuous improvements to the IR function

Key capabilities/knowledge: 

• Strong financial acumen, including a thorough understanding of corporate financial statements, financial modelling and analysis
• Experienced at financial analysis with strong numerical and analytical skills – ability to understand and interpret financial models and bringing key insight and messages out of financial data and information
• Results-driven, self-motivated
• Able to work autonomously and as part of an international and interdisciplinary team and capable of delivering working across cross-functional teams
• Good commercial and financial awareness - essential to supporting and guiding business decisions.
• Strong project management and organisation skills
• Strong communication skills with gravitas to interact with company leadership and demanding external queries
• Flexible, proactive and motivated personality capable of taking decisions and delivering independently as well as working across cross-functional teams
• Strong relationship building and collaboration skills
• Drive, determination and attention to detail; the ability to take the initiative, work independently and deliver high quality results under pressure and to tight deadlines
• Ability to independently interpret issues, assess the best course of action and recommend the best outcome to manage investor messaging and company narrative. Being comfortable getting into the detail and analysis as well as taking a step back and understanding the wider context and picture
• Fully conversant with Excel, Word and Powerpoint

Experience & Qualifications:

• ACA/ACCA qualified or equivalent with significant, demonstrable PQE in a finance role within either a Group or a commercial environment
• Financial analysis and scenario testing for the purpose of informing management decisions and communication to executive management
• Ability to interpret complex data and present information in a concise and accurate way to enable decision making
• Experience of working in the equity markets would be helpful but not necessary – most important are the analytical, communication and project management skills
• A good understanding of financial models and corporate financials
• Experience of managing stakeholders
• Credibility to interact effectively with senior management and act as a company spokesperson. Articulate and high energy individual, with a desire to develop their career

Why join QinetiQ?

As we continue to grow into new markets around the world, there’s never been a more exciting time to join QinetiQ. The formula for success is our appetite for innovation and having the courage to take on a wide variety of complex challenges.

You’ll experience a unique working environment where teams from different backgrounds, disciplines and experience enjoy collaborating widely and openly as we undertake this exciting and rewarding journey. Through effective teamwork, and pulling together, you’ll get to experience what happens when we all share different perspectives, blend disciplines, and link technologies; constantly discovering new ways of solving complex problems in a diverse and inclusive environment where you can be authentic, feel valued and realise your full potential. Read more about our diverse and inclusive workplace culture here.  

Joining QinetiQ offers you an opportunity to work on a broad range of interesting defence-based projects with vast career progression across a global organisation in addition to competitive personal and professional benefits.  You’ll receive a highly competitive salary and benefits package: our basic salaries are very attractive as we constantly review what’s happening in the market. The range of benefits that we offer include, adaptive and flexible working, generous holiday entitlements, Health Cash Plan, Private Medical Insurance and Dental Insurance and much more. 

About QinetiQ

As a company of over 6,000 dedicated professionals, we are a world-centre of excellence in research and development and act as a catalyst for fast-track innovation, offering outstanding experimentation facilities, and technical, engineering and scientific expertise. QinetiQ is made up of dedicated experts in defence, aerospace, security and related markets, all working together to explore new ways of protecting what matters most. Being part of QinetiQ means being central to the safety and security of the world around us. Partnering with our customers, we help to save lives; reduce risks to society; and maintain the global infrastructure on which we all depend. Come and find out how you can play a role.

Please note that many roles in QinetiQ are subject to national security vetting. Applicants that already hold the appropriate level of vetting may be able to transfer it upon appointment, subject to approval. A number of roles are also subject to restrictions on access to information that mean factors such as nationality, previous nationalities held and the country in which you were born may have an effect on the roles that you can be employed in.