Wickes are a digitally led, service enabled organisation with a project in every home.

Are you looking for your next opportunity within Finance?  Would you enjoy the pace and energy of a retail environment which is  collaborative, down to earth and inclusive where people feel part of a winning team?

Wickes are a leading multichannel retailer and we are looking for a Investor Relations Manager to join our team.  This is a genuine opportunity to make a difference.  Reporting to our Investor Relations Director and operating as part of the broader Finance Leadership Team, this is a critical role supporting the preparation of results and investor materials, coordination and communication of other dealings with the financial community such as collection of consensus estimates, and coordinating results meetings, store visits and other management meetings with sell side and buy side investors.

Key Responsibilities

• Working with the team to develop interesting and innovative presentation materials to highlight the performance of the company, as well as helping with all RNS announcements

• Help to manage the externally issued Company-compiled consensus, normally based on collating all sell side research materials on Wickes. Where possible, also create shared files for peer group research reports.

• Support the delivery of IR materials to the Exec and PLC Boards as requested. 

• Support/maintain the Investor section of the Wickes PLC website, helping to generate content for the Investor site, and managing the relationship with the website provider to ensure that all updates are correct and delivered in a timely fashion.

• Support with analysis of the share register, including generating charts which highlight the key movements. Ensure the register of shareholder meetings is complete, with notes available for each meeting.

• Work with other members of the finance team to maintain updated figures on peer group metrics, such as sales densities, margin trends and other key metrics.

• Help in the venue selection, set up and operational activities required for all analyst/investor presentations and interactions

What are we looking for:

Fully qualified (ACA / ACCA / CIMA ) with post qualification experience we are looking for you to have a good understanding of financial markets and exceptional financial analytical skills.  

This is a ‘stand out opportunity’ and it is expected that you will be able to develop an understanding of all aspects of the Wickes business as a ‘stand alone’ Plc including economic drivers, market structure, current / future financial performance. 

Within the role there are strict market regulations regarding what information can and should be disclosed to the market and when, and as a point of contact for the external financial markets it will be critical to have exceptional attention to detail, with a clear understanding of regulations alongside finding a balance between articulating the business equity story whilst not disclosing information to analysts or shareholders at the wrong time.  

Alongside day-to-day responsibility for the support of external communication with the financial community, maintaining strong relationships across the organisation, particularly with the broader finance team, communications teams and operations teams is key.  With a broad range of internal and external stakeholders exceptional communication skills are essential, both written (helping to create and draft presentations, board reports, competitor analysis) and verbally, and you will be highly articulate, personable and engaging.

We’ll need you to be able to work flexibly and be responsive to conflicting demands and changing priorities, often in significant time pressure environments with rigid timetables but also regularly responding quickly to inbound queries from shareholders and analysts.  

A collaborative and engaging individual you will be highly motivated, innovative, tenacious and able to work in a fast-paced environment.

What can we offer you?

You’ll be supported by some fantastic training and development and have the opportunity to learn, grow and develop

We’ll also equip you with a benefits package that includes 

• Competitive bonus

• Save-as-you-earn scheme

• Contributory pension scheme

• Colleague discount 

• Discount platform including savings and cash back at numerous retailers, savings on gym membership, cycle to work scheme

Our widely recognised wellbeing strategy is something we’re proud of at Wickes. As part of this, we offer a range of health and wellbeing benefits and support, including an Employee Assistance Programme, financial education & loans, and access to parental, menopause and fertility support. 

About Us: 

Wickes is a multi-channel retailer operating in the home improvement market.  With 40 years in industry, Wickes now generates revenue in excess of £1.3Bn across 230 stores delivered by 8,000+ colleagues.  

But it is the Wickes’ culture that is considered its best kept secret; it’s a collaborative, down to earth, fun and inclusive environment where people feel part of a winning team. All our colleagues come from different backgrounds, but what we all have in common is a determination to succeed and a passion for being the best we can be. If that sounds like you, we’ll make you feel right at home.