Head of Investor Relations (Fractional)

CarParts.com•Long Beach, CA

11d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Head of Investor Relations is a newly created, fractional executive mandate for a thinly traded, under-covered micro-cap public company. This is not a communications or PR role: it is a strategic extension of the company that understands the why, what, how, and when behind every decision, and translates that understanding into a credible, differentiated investment narrative for the market. The role requires deep, hands-on experience specifically in micro-cap IR: candidates whose background is exclusively large-cap/Fortune 500 IR or exclusively private-company communications are not a fit. This is a highly specialized, fast-paced role demanding sharp attention to detail and high agency. This role reports directly to the CFO and works closely with the CEO and leadership team, requiring a real command of company priorities, the business model, and the financials. The Head of Investor Relations will craft and execute a genuine IR and shareholder engagement strategy: building relationships with institutional holders, managing the analyst and shareholder base, and ensuring the company's story is told accurately and consistently across every channel and touchpoint.

Requirements

Minimum of 10 years of direct, hands-on investor relations experience.
Significant, direct experience serving as a senior investor relations professional for a thinly traded, under-covered micro-cap public company — experience limited to large-cap/Fortune 500 IR or to private-company communications does not meet the bar for this role.
Demonstrated track record managing sell-side and buy-side analyst relationships, including building coverage where none previously existed.
Direct experience managing investor conferences end-to-end, from selection through execution.
Proven experience leading investor calls, proactive outreach campaigns, and institutional shareholder engagement.
Hands-on experience building and maintaining an investor deck and investor narrative.
Working proficiency with an IR CRM, stock surveillance tools, and competitor/peer tracking.
Direct experience preparing for and running public company earnings calls, and tracking ownership levels and changes.
Very deep financial expertise, with the ability to work directly with the CFO, CEO, and leadership team on company priorities, business model, and financial performance.
High agency: able to operate independently, drive initiatives without heavy oversight, and take ownership of outcomes.
Ability to work on-site in Long Beach, CA a minimum of one day per week.

Nice To Haves

Prior IR experience at a Russell 2000 company or microcap a must.
Experience in automotive, distribution, e-commerce, turnaround, or special situation companies is a plus.
Existing relationships with micro-cap-focused institutional investors and analysts.
Experience operating in a fractional or part-time executive capacity.
CPA or CFA designation recommended.
Prior experience as a sell-side or buy-side analyst and/or at an investor relations advisory firm is a significant plus.

Responsibilities

Manage and grow relationships with sell-side and buy-side analysts covering or evaluating the company, including proactive outreach to expand coverage.
Lead direct shareholder engagement with institutional holders, including targeting, prioritization, and ongoing relationship cultivation.
Track ownership levels and changes across the shareholder base, and translate ownership shifts into actionable outreach and strategy.
Craft and execute a real investor relations and shareholder engagement strategy grounded in the company's actual business model, priorities, and financials.
Own and continuously refine the investor narrative and investor deck, ensuring the story is accurate, differentiated, and current.
Serve as a genuine extension of the company: understand the why, what, how, and when behind business decisions well enough to represent them credibly to the market.
Manage participation in investor conferences, including selection, logistics, and preparation.
Lead investor calls and proactive outreach efforts to current and prospective shareholders.
Own earnings call preparation and execution, including scripting, Q&A prep, and coordination with the CFO and leadership team.
Maintain and operate the IR CRM to track investor relationships, interactions, and follow-ups.
Own stock surveillance to monitor trading activity, volume, and shareholder base movements.
Track competitors and peer companies to inform positioning, messaging, and market context.