ABOUT THE SURVEY

Todays investor relations executives face increasingly complex

professional challenges both internally and externally. Over the last eight
years the National Investor Relations Institute (NIRI) and Korn Ferry have
partnered to provide current compensation benchmarking trend data for
corporate investor relations professionals (those working within publically
traded companies), as well as scope of responsibilities, organizational and
reporting structures, and professional profiles/backgrounds of IR
professionals.

This white paper presents 2016 compensation and benefit results from
U.S.-based corporate investor relations practitioners, including base salary,
cash bonus, stock bonus, and total cash compensation. In 2016 there were
921 corporate practitioner respondents to the survey, constituting 40% of
NIRI total corporate membership. The data was post-survey weighted on a
number of significant variables in order to be representative of the larger
population. In tables, data may not sum to 100% due to rounding, or ability
of respondents to select multiple responses.

About the National Investor Relations Institute: Founded in 1969, the

National Investor Relations Institute (NIRI) is the professional association of
corporate officers and investor relations consultants responsible for
communication among corporate management, shareholders, securities
analysts and other financial community constituents. The largest
professional investor relations association in the world, NIRIs more than
3,300 members represent over 1,600 publicly held companies and $9
trillion in stock market capitalization.

About Korn Ferry: With more than 80 offices in 39 countries, is a premier

global provider of talent management solutions. Based in Los Angeles, the
firm delivers an array of solutions that help clients to identify, deploy,
develop, retain and reward their talent.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
The professional backgrounds,
profiles and future career aspirations
of IR professionals look different
when comparing men and women
IROs.
Base salaries of corporate investor
relations professionals continue to
rise for the sixth year in a row, to a
U.S.-based average of $201,894. The
median base salary was $200,000
(Standard Deviation (SD) =$72,051).
This is an increase of approximately
seven percent from 2014 average
base salary ($187, 691), and (after
adjusting for inflation) nine percent
since 2012.
The majority of all respondents (85%)
received a cash bonus in 2015
(excluding long-term incentive plan
pay-outs). Average cash bonus in
2015 was $77,335 (Median=$57,879,
SD=$69,312).
Sixty-three percent received at least
one dollar in stock bonus in 2015. The
average cash value of received stock
bonuses was $110,615 (SD=$138,133),
and the median was $69,110.
In sum, the average total
compensation (base salary, cash
bonus, and stock bonus) for U.S.-
based IR professionals was $362,245
(SD=$254,578), and the median was
$300,000 for 2016.
The average base salary for men was
$213,368, and was $186,509 for
women (13 percent difference).
Reviewing NIRI compensation data,
over the last 20 years there has been
a 78 percent decrease in the pay gap
between men and women IROs. This
gender pay gap for 2016 is on par with
U.S. national gender pay gap
averages as disseminated by the Joint
Economic Committee of the U.S.
Congress in April of 2016.
Additionally, the gender wage gap in
the field of IR is also decreasing at the
same rate as national averages, over
the same period of time.
The overall base salary average for all
IROs located outside of the U.S. was
$196,541 (Median=$200,000,
SD=$76,783), a 15 percent increase
from 2014 data. Average total
compensation (base salary, cash
bonus, and stock bonus) for non-U.S.-
based IR professionals was $325,178
(SD=$225,595), and the median was
$279,292 for 2016.
Eighty-six percent of IROs reported
receiving equity-based compensation.
Restricted stock/units remain the
most popular (61%), followed by stock
options (41%), and
performance/phantom stock units
(23%).
The most popular additional benefits
are 401(k) plans (80%), health
insurance (73%), and life insurance
(59%), with other benefits significantly
trailing.
P PROFILE OF AN IRO
IS THIS YOU?
DEMOGRAPHICS:
Male
MBA
Vice president investor relations
$210,000 base salary
Based in Texas, or in California

BACKGROUND:
Background in corporate finance
Worked as a sell-side analyst for ~10 years before becoming an IRO
11+ years IR experience
Senior IR professional, total IR department of 3 (1 VP +1D +1 Admin)
works for a mid-cap F500
Is Section 16 Officer
Undecided career path

DEMOGRAPHICS:
Female
BA/BS, CPA
Senior director or director investor relations
$180,000 base salary
Based in California

BACKGROUND:
Background in corporate communications or public relations
11+ years IR experience
Senior IR professional, total IR department of 2 (1 Director +1 Admin)
Works for a small or mid-cap
Pharma & biotech industry
P PAY AND BENEFITS - U.S.
 For 2016, across all divisions of the United States, salaries have
increased for IR professionals. The largest increases in the last two
years by region were seen for those in the East North and East
South Central (+25%). The smallest increases were seen for those
in the Middle Atlantic (which remained flat) and Mountain regions
(+5%).

Average base pay Average cash bonus

Average stock bonus Average total cash compensation
 Average base pay Average total cash compensation

MARKET CAP SIZE

DEGREE TYPE
 Average base pay Average total cash compensation

YEARS OF IR
EXPERIENCE

INDUSTRY
 Employee Programs/Benefits
401(k) 80%
Car (or car allowance) 6%
Club membership 4%
Commuting expenses 6%
Deferred comp plan 23%
Financial/tax planning 7%
Health insurance 73%
Life insurance 59%
Maternity/Paternity/Adoption Leave 24%
Medical exams 16%
Special officer pension plan 3%
Tuition assistance 22%

Equity Compensation
Performance/Phantom Stock Units 23%
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) 61%
Stock Options 41%
Employee stock purchase plan 18%
CASH COMPENSATION NON-U.S.
 Average base pay Average cash bonus
Average stock bonus Average total cash compensation
 National Investor Relations Institute
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Alexandria VA 22314

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