Public Relations Associate

The Company

MZ North America is the US division of MZ Group, a global leader in investor relations with over 250 employees, 800 clients across 12 different exchanges. For over 25 years, MZ has implemented award winning investor relations programs and developed a reputation for delivering tangible, measured results via its robust suite of services. MZ’s one-stop-shop platform services public and private companies, including SPACs and IPOs, by leveraging strategic financial communications, industry-leading investment community outreach, public relations and financial media, a market intelligence desk, and a host of technology solutions, spanning digital marketing, SEO, websites, among others. MZ maintains a global footprint with professionals located throughout every time zone in North America, as well as Taipei and São Paulo. 

Job Description

MZ is seeking a Public and Investor Relations Associate to serve in a hybrid, hands on role that supports Managing Directors across all facets of the investor relations program, with a primary focus on  developing and managing earned and sponsored media opportunities across print, digital online, and broadcast outlets to elevate visibility for clients company performance, achievements, and thought leadership. 

This role will work directly with C-Level management and media contacts to effectively reach targeted audiences. Individuals will be involved in managing multiple, simultaneous campaigns for publicly-traded or pre-IPO companies that rely on media visibility to inform and influence investor and customer audiences. Media relations campaigns are coordinated closely with Investor Relations programs to ensure accurate and timely results in tandem with milestones, including IPOs and quarterly earnings reporting. In addition to supporting the implementation and management of comprehensive media relations program for clients, individuals will have the opportunity to participate in creative problem solving to help clients overcome unique media relations challenges. Secondarily, this role will be responsible for supporting the development, implementation and management of a comprehensive and strategic investor relations program for clients, maintaining a channel of communication between our clients and investors, shareholders, analysts and other and influencers in the investment community. 

Specific responsibilities include:

•       Provides direct support for Managing Directors

•       Interact with client executives to create and manage media campaigns, including draft press and distribution of releases and media pitch content, and preparing spokespeople for media interviews.

•       Develop and maintain an active dialogue with key media contacts and identifying new contacts

•       Collaborate with team members on creative ways to effectively position company news, products, competitive advantages and the financial story to more to effectively reach, investor and customer audiences. 

•       Develop, maintain and expand target media lists 

•       Participate in daily proactive outreach around multiple, simultaneous client campaigns

•       Respond to and manage day-to-day inbound media inquiries and proactively position clients for media visibility. 

•       Identify emerging trends and issues and prepare clients to provide thought leadership insight. 

•       Assist in tracking and reporting on client media coverage for specific campaigns and at monthly/quarterly intervals

•       Secondary roles:

o   Interact with senior company executives to prepare for quarterly earnings calls, including drafting earnings releases, management Q&A preparation, and investor feedback

o   Developing and maintaining an active dialogue with key equity investors, stakeholders and the research analyst community 

o   Organize conferences, in-person investor meetings, phone calls with investors and interact via email with investors in the U.S. and global markets 

o   Support in the preparation of written materials such as press releases, annual shareholder letters, earnings releases, scripts, investor presentations, company factsheets, the IR website and annual reports to investor audiences. 

o   Respond to and manage day-to-day inbound investor inquiries

o   Develop and maintain a comprehensive investor/analyst/banker database 

o   Assist in the development of perception studies/feedback reports

o   Prepare and disseminate bi-annual investor relations overview reports for management, which include institutional activity, trading and price performance, shareholder ownership, short interest, analyst coverage, recommendations and ratings

Desired Qualifications: 

•       1 years of Media Relations experience

•       BA/BS degree with emphasis in finance and communications

•       Understanding of public relations best practices and interest in contributing to the development of new ones

•       Understanding of Wall Street ecosystem, specifically in the Micro-Cap space

•       Understanding/interest in the shifting media landscape and best practices for media relations

•       Proficiency in Microsoft tools for word processing, spreadsheet management, presentations, email management, and ability to learn additional platforms 

•       Ability to work as part of a team as well as independently to complete tasks with limited supervision

•       Excellent analytical and quantitative skills

•       Ability to work effectively in high-pressure, deadline oriented environments

•       Superior written and verbal communications

•       Relationships in the investment and media communities a plus

•       Ability to collaborate effectively with the executive team as well as back office support

•       Superior client-service skills 

•       Must be willing to travel