SVP Investor Relations & Corporate Development

Leads UNFI’s investor relations strategy and serves as the primary liaison to the investment community. This role shapes and communicates the company’s investment narrative, provides strategic insights to senior leadership, and drives engagement with investors and analysts. Partners closely with the CEO, CFO, and executive leadership team to evaluate strategic growth opportunities, including mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, strategic partnerships, and portfolio optimization initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Lead a best-in-class Investor Relations function: build and evolve the IR capability, introduce innovative engagement approaches, design and execute a comprehensive IR strategy (messaging, engagement plans, earnings communications, investor events), and establish metrics to evaluate program effectiveness.
• Manage relationships with external constituents: develop credible relationships with buy-side and sell-side investors and analysts, monitor and shape UNFI’s shareholder base, and serve as the primary point of contact for the investment community.
• Coordinate and lead key investor events: plan and execute quarterly earnings, investor days, roadshows, and conference participation; enhance investor understanding of UNFI’s strategy, transformation progress, and long-term value creation.
• Drive strategic communications and messaging: develop a deep understanding of UNFI’s business model and financial drivers; lead the creation of investor materials, earnings scripts, Q&A preparation, and other key communications; ensure consistency and clarity across all external messaging.
• Drive Corporate Development and Enterprise Value Creation: partner with the CEO, CFO, and Board to evaluate strategic growth opportunities (mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures, partnerships); lead financial and strategic assessment of potential transactions; articulate UNFI's capital allocation framework and long-term value creation strategy to investors.
• Partner with UNFI’s Senior Leadership Team: serve as a trusted advisor on investor sentiment and market dynamics; provide insights on strategic decision perception and recommend communication strategies; deliver regular updates to leadership and the Board on investor feedback and market positioning.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Finance, Economics, or a related field; MBA or advanced degree preferred.
• Minimum of 15+ years of progressive experience in investor relations, corporate development, investment banking, or a related field.
• 7+ years in executive-level leadership positions with enterprise-wide strategic influence.
• Significant experience leading investor relations at a public company, with a strong track record of managing investor communications and engagement.
• Experience in industries such as consumer goods, food distribution, retail, or industrial sectors is strongly preferred.
• Prior experience on the sell-side is advantageous but not required.
• Demonstrated experience supporting companies through periods of transformation, including communicating evolving strategies and financial narratives.

Skills

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication and presentation abilities.
• Proven track record of driving strategic initiatives.
• Visionary thinker with a strategic mindset.
• Strong business acumen and understanding of market dynamics.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• High level of integrity and professionalism.

Work Environment

This position is classified as remote; the associate will perform remote work from their primary residence. Remote associates may be required to come to the office or other UNFI locations for necessary business reasons. Minor travel may be required for specific meetings or other business reasons.

Benefits

• Paid Time Off, Sick Time, paid holidays, and parental leave.
• 401K Program.
• Medical, dental, vision, life, and accidental death/dismemberment insurance.
• Short-term and long-term disability insurance program.
• Flexible Spending Account and/or Health Savings Account, subject to eligibility requirements.