Vice President - Investor Relations

Rehlko•Milwaukee, WI

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Vice President of Investor Relations (VP – IR) will build and lead the Company’s investor relations function from the ground up and serve as the primary interface between the Company and the investment community. This role is critical to successfully establishing a credible, disciplined, and value-accretive investor narrative, maintaining existing relationships, and leading the possible transition of the Company from private ownership to the public markets.

Requirements

12+ years of experience in investor relations, equity capital markets, investment banking, or equity research
Bachelors degree is required
Direct experience taking a private company public (IPO)
Proven experience building an investor relations function from scratch
Deep understanding of:
Equity markets and institutional investor behavior
Financial statements, KPIs, and valuation methodologies
SEC disclosure and public company governance
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills
Strong executive presence with the ability to engage credibly with investors, analysts, and Board members

Nice To Haves

Experience in a PE-backed company transitioning to public markets
Prior sector experience relevant to the Company’s industry
Existing relationships with institutional investors and sell-side analysts
MBA or CFA strongly preferred

Responsibilities

IPO & Capital Markets Readiness
Lead all investor relations workstreams related to IPO execution, including:
Equity story development and messaging framework
S-1/registration statement drafting support (business narrative, KPIs, risk factors coordination)
Analyst education and investor targeting strategy
Roadshow preparation, investor materials, and Q&A development
Partner with the CFO, legal, banking syndicate, and external advisors throughout the IPO process.
Establish public-company-ready disclosure practices and communication cadence.
Investor Communications & Messaging
Own the Company’s equity story, investment thesis, and long-term value creation narrative.
Partner closely with Chief Brand Officer on aligned strategic messaging and delivery to employees and the investment community.
Prepare and manage all external investor communications, including:
Earnings releases, scripts, and supplemental decks
Quarterly earnings calls and investor Q&A
Investor presentations, fact sheets, and IR website content
Ensure consistent, compliant, and transparent communication across all investor touchpoints.
Investor & Analyst Engagement
Serve as primary point of contact for institutional investors, sell-side analysts, and proxy advisory firms.
Build and maintain strong relationships with:
Long-only institutional investors
Key sell-side research analysts
Existing shareholders (pre- and post-IPO)
Plan and execute investor days, non-deal roadshows (NDRs), conferences, and targeted investor meetings.
Implement shareholder analytics tools and monitor activism risk.
Governance, Compliance & Risk Management
Ensure compliance with SEC disclosure requirements, Reg FD, and evolving ESG reporting standards.
Partner with legal and compliance teams to establish public-company governance practices.
Develop crisis communication protocols for market volatility, activist campaigns, and reputational risks.
Internal Alignment & Leadership
Educate executives and Board on investor expectations, disclosure obligations, and earnings call best practices.
Align IR strategy with finance, legal, marketing, and operations for consistent messaging.
Build and lead a high-performing IR team and scalable processes.
IR Infrastructure & Team Build-Out
Build the investor relations function from scratch, including:
Hiring and developing IR talent within company job architecture
Selecting and implementing IR systems and tools (CRM, targeting, web, earnings prep)
Establishing internal processes, calendars, and controls
Market Intelligence & Feedback Loop
Monitor investor sentiment, trading dynamics, peer performance, and valuation drivers.
Provide regular feedback to executive leadership and the Board on:
Shareholder base evolution
Market perception and concerns
Relative valuation and investor positioning
Support capital allocation messaging, M&A communications, and strategic initiatives.