Position: Investor Relations Manager, ASA International

Who we are

ASA International Group plc (‘ASA International’ or ‘the Group’) is one of the world’s largest international microfinance institutions offering socially responsible financial services to lowincome, primarily female, entrepreneurs across Asia and Africa.

ASA International owns and operates microfinance institutions, including deposit-taking microfinance banks, in India, Pakistan, The Philippines, Sri Lanka, Nigeria, Ghana, Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Myanmar, Zambia, and Sierra Leone. The Group is headquartered in Amsterdam, The Netherlands and Dhaka, Bangladesh and has a premium listing on the main market of the London Stock Exchange.

Central to ASA International’s mission is enhancing financial inclusion and fostering social and economic development within the communities it serves. As of December 31, 2023, the Group operates over 2,000 branch offices and manages a gross loan portfolio exceeding USD 369 million. With a dedicated team of over 13,400 employees worldwide, ASA International serves 2.3 million clients.

Job profile and responsibilities

ASA International is looking for an Investor Relations Manager (“IRM”) who will be based at its head office in Amsterdam. The IRM will be responsible for performing key IR functions as well as supporting the CEO, CFO and Head of IR with all activities concerning ASA International’s investor relations program.

Key responsibilities include:

  • Designing and managing the Investor Relations program: Oversee the daily activities and calendar of events in collaboration with ASA International’s Board of Directors, Senior Management team, and external advisors.
  • Maintaining effective relationships: Build and sustain positive relationships with shareholders, investors, brokers, and analysts to ensure clear communication of ASA International’s strategy and investment case.
  • Creating market announcements and presentations: Oversee and co-create investor market announcements and presentations for various events, including routine regulatory reporting and major events like Quarterly Business updates, Half year and Full year Results, and the Annual Report.
  • Conducting investor meetings: Facilitate face-to-face and online meetings with existing shareholders, potential new investors, and analysts to ensure the company’s proposition is well understood.
  • Planning and coordinating events: Organize international investor roadshows and capital market days, ensuring effective coordination with all stakeholders.
  • Ensuring compliance: Interact with ASA International’s Legal and Corporate Secretary team and external advisors to ensure compliance with corporate regulatory requirements and investor relations best practices in accordance with the LSE listing requirements, including MAR.
Detailed responsibilities
  • Formulate market announcements and presentations: Lead the creation of all LSE RNS market announcements and presentations in English, partnering with internal and external resources.
  • Build investor relationships: Foster relationships with current and potential new investors to ensure they understand ASA International’s investment case and receive up-to-date information within the LSE listing requirements.
  • Coordinate Q&A documents: Develop comprehensive Q&A documents covering financial, business, legal, and competitive issues relevant to ASA International’s markets and performance.
  • Manage analyst communications: Maintain communications with existing equity analysts and engage new analysts to expand the company’s coverage.
  • Maintain IR records: Keep detailed notes on all IR meetings in the company’s IR CRM software.
  • Review analyst reports: Analyze and provide feedback on analyst reports to guide equity analysts.
  • Prepare and execute media strategy: Collaborate with the in-house communications manager and external financial PR advisor to develop and implement the media strategy.
  • Review shareholder register: Work with brokers and external advisors to review the shareholder register for potential vulnerabilities and new opportunities.
  • Organize investor events: Coordinate with the company’s brokers and external advisors to arrange international roadshows, investor meetings, capital markets days, investor conferences, and visits to the company’s operations and investor base globally.
  • Align internal and external communications: Ensure internal information flows and KPIs are aligned with the external narrative, working closely with the CEO, CFO, and Head of IR.
  • Maintain communication lines: Maintain and further develop effective communication channels within the company and with external stakeholders.
  • Report to senior management: Provide regular reports to the Board of Directors and Senior Management team on investor relations activities and key themes.
  • Manage IR projects and budgets: Oversee all IR projects and budgets to ensure efficient use of resources.
  • Prepare senior management for IR activities: Thoroughly brief and prepare the Board of Directors and Senior Management team for participation in IR and media activities, coordinating with external advisors.
  • Manage the investor database: Oversee the maintenance and accuracy of the company’s investor database.
  • Manage IR content on the website: Collaborate with the communications manager to manage the content of the IR section of the company website and ensure consistency in media and social media activities across subsidiary websites.
Core competencies
  • Result-oriented and self-motivated: Demonstrates a strong drive to achieve results and the ability to self-manage tasks effectively.
  • Well-organised: Exhibits strong organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines efficiently.
  • Keen analytical skills and attention to detail: Possesses sharp analytical abilities and a meticulous eye for detail to ensure accuracy and thoroughness in all activities.
  • Excellent verbal communication skills in English: Must have outstanding verbal communication skills in English to interact effectively with diverse stakeholders.
  • Strong writing skills in English: Demonstrates superior writing skills in English for creating clear and compelling investor communications.
  • Ability to learn quickly: Shows the capability to grasp new concepts rapidly and adapt to changing environments.
  • Work effectively under pressure: Maintains composure and efficiency while working under tight deadlines or high-stress situations.
  • Relationship-building skills: Capable of building and maintaining positive relationships with colleagues, shareholders, investors, brokers, and analysts.
  • Collaborative mindset: Able to work effectively with internal teams and external advisors, fostering a cooperative and productive work environment.
  • Strategic thinking: Possesses the ability to think strategically and align investor relations activities with the company's overall business objectives.
  • Proactive problem-solving: Demonstrates a proactive approach to identifying issues and implementing effective solutions.
  • Technological proficiency: Proficient in using investor relations software (e.g., IR CRM systems) and other relevant technology tools.
  • Interest in financial and social impact: Shows a keen interest in financial and business analysis, microfinance, impact investments, financial inclusion, and achieving both financial and social benefits.
Education and experience
  • Bachelor or Master’s degree: In Finance, Business Administration, Economics, Accounting, Public/International Relations, or related fields
  • Professional experience: Minimum of 3 years in investor relations, investment banking, equity research or corporate finance, or a related management position
  • Career advancement: Opportunity for promotion to Head of Investor Relations
Work environment

You will be part of a close-knit international team in the Netherlands, with opportunities to collaborate with colleagues across Asia and Africa. Working from the Amsterdam office, you will work closely with our colleagues in Dhaka, Bangladesh and the various operating entities throughout these regions.

Reporting line

The IRM shall report to the Head of Investor Relations and will work closely with the Group CEO and CFO.

Salary

Market conform salary and employment conditions.

Job location

Amsterdam, The Netherlands

If you feel you are the right match for the above-mentioned position, please apply with a cover letter along with up-to-date resume as a single document and send it to ir@asainternational.com by 8 July 2024.

Application deadline: 8 July 2024

Please Note: Only complete applications (cover letter and CV) will be considered and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

We stand for inclusion & diversity. Therefore, we warmly encourage everyone to apply, regardless of gender, background, ethnicity, age, religion, etc. Qualified women are particularly encouraged to apply for this position.