October 1, 2009
Vital Access’s President, Scott Lichtman, is seeking a business/finance intern to work on an investor relations market research project and software solution evaluation. The project pays $800 over 8 weeks for 10-15 hours per week, and is based in NYC though you can work virtually.
You are helping the consultants recommend which services and software support that an established financial solutions provider delivers to the investor relations community, while interacting with professionals in the investment field. This is an excellent opportunity to enhance your credentials in financial services/investor relations/market research/software recommendations. Write irstudy3@gmail.com with your qualifications.
Project
The research is based on the questions below. More detailed information about our financial client and its solutions will be provided to intern candidates who are screened and sign a non-disclosure.
- How do corporate investor relations professional prioritize their efforts in today’s evolving financial markets?
- How do banks and investment firms determine which corporations to cover with equity analysis reports?
- What type of interactive solutions can make the investor relations/investor process more effective?
Your role will include:
- Compiling news and reports about trends in the investor relations sector, including communications tactics, regulations, and information systems support.
- Performing preliminary research on financial industry professionals who fit our interview criteria, listening to and transcribing meetings/calls, and helping identify findings across interviewees. You may wish to incorporate several interviews you generate yourself, with investor contacts or professors.
- Based on primary and secondary research, helping develop a comprehensive list of services and software support that would make the investor relations function more effective.
- Based on the research and segmentation of potential customers, helping size the market opportunity and forecast price model impacts of new solutions.
- Helping coordinate one or more speaker panels on investor relations we are proposing to industry associations. Coordination includes outreach with us to these associations, synchronizing speaker presentations, assisting with event logistics (eg site prep), and attending/welcoming scores of industry attendees.
- Help prepare the recommendations presentation and listen to client feedback.
Skills Sought:
- Possess, or be interested in and able to acquire very quickly, a familiarity with the investor relations process – how corporations and investors interact to communicate business strategy and set equity value through the investment markets. This is best determined by training or experience in the fields of finance or related areas of business, and a screening interview with you.
- Have a balance of strategy/analysis skills and interpersonal skills. Demonstrate you are comfortable working with consultants to map market trends and needs. Also be very comfortable with reaching out to potential interviewees or industry associations about events.
Logistics:
- The project requires you to reliably spend 10 to 13 hours per week, with many hours being flexible as long as you can work at least two 3-hour stretches during east coast business hours during the week. If you wish to join in-person meetings, be prepared to spend 15 to 18 hours per week.
- There is a stipend of $800 for 8 weeks work, plus expenses for any lunches in NYC or commute to midtown. Half the stipend is paid after 4 weeks completed work, and the remaining stipend paid at the 6 and 8 week mark.
- As side benefits, you are invited to join a number of in-person meetings with the financial services company and interviews with professionals in the investment field. You may mention the consultancy and client you work for on your resume, and be listed as co-author on any public survey findings we produce.
- You will be working closely for two financial solution strategy consultants, each with 20 years business experience and Harvard MBA degrees. The consultants have run an investment research group, worked in investment banking and software at Fortune 500 companies, founded several startups, and built online business communities. In turn, you will be involved the consultants’ interactions with an established financial information solutions provider.
- Project timeframe is starting immediately (1st week of October) and ending approximately first week of December.
- Work can be performed from any US location if desired via phone and online interaction with the consultant. However, if you are NYC metropolitan based, you would join several of the client meetings and market research interviews in person and can work with the consultants from the client’s office one or more session each week.
- Professionals or students are welcome, MBAs are ideal.
- Preference will be given to individuals who can demonstrate exceptional achievements in related fields, and who can reliably contribute the expected effort each week throughout the project.
- Send your resume and cover letter with your reason for interest and qualifications to irstudy3@gmail.com. All inquiries will receive a personal response and the top 10 candidates will receive phone interviews and beyond.
