Investor relations professionals at hedge funds often migrate into the job from previous experience in client services or marketing at other financial organizations, or capital introduction at prime brokerages. Experience at an investment consultancy may also give you the skills needed to work in this role at a hedge fund. You would have a familiarity with pension fund and other institutional investors, and have started developing a broad network of contacts of potential investors. This would all be valuable to a hedge fund firm and position you for healthy base and bonus package.
More junior investor relations staff will respond to client questions about the fund and general market and economic conditions. He would perhaps work on the firm’s quarterly newsletter or other client-facing communications, meet with existing investors to interest them in other funds, and arrange for members of the firm to appear at industry conferences and other speaking engagements to help promote the funds.
As an investor relations professional, you will wear many hats, and be involved in all aspects of the sales and client service activities of the fund. Investor relations is one area where someone with no previous hedge fund job experience can break into the business. Though you should have outstanding interpersonal skills and a solid understanding of hedge fund investment strategies.
References:
Getting a Job in Hedge Funds By Adam Zoia, Aaron Finkel, John Wiley and Sons, 2008
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