General Job Titles in PE/VC Firms—The Role of Director

In most private equity firms, a successful investment manager is typically promoted to the position of Director. In some firms, this role may be titled 'Vice President', 'Investment Director', or even used concurrently with 'Director'. There is no fixed rule governing such titles; broadly speaking, these positions are considered mid-level management roles within investment firms. Directors bear certain responsibilities for executing deals, but generally play only a limited role in the firm’s overall investment decision-making process and do not participate in decisions regarding the management of the firm itself. Instead, Directors typically oversee specific portfolio companies within the firm’s investment portfolio—and may even serve as board members of those portfolio companies, providing strategic investment advice. Typically, Directors do not receive carried interest from the entire fund; however, like Partners, they may receive carried interest from the specific portfolio companies under their responsibility. As deal executors, Directors are responsible for sourcing, managing, and closing transactions. The Director role represents the final step before promotion to Partner. Titles such as Vice President, Investment Director, and Director—collectively representing mid-level roles—can carry distinct functional emphases depending on the size and investment stage focus of the firm. • In large-scale institutions: Especially in large USD-denominated PE firms, responsibilities are more finely divided. Here, Directors function more like 'Project Managers', playing a central role throughout the deal execution process: coordinating junior investment managers and analysts, gathering project-related information, conducting industry and company research, performing due diligence, acting as the primary external point of contact with target companies, facilitating transaction negotiations, and reporting progress to Partners. Additionally, after investments are completed, Directors often assume post-investment coordination responsibilities with portfolio companies—and some may secure actual board seats (i.e., genuine 'director' positions) at those companies. However, individuals at the Director level generally lack sufficient authority to make core transaction decisions, nor do they possess the extensive network and experience required to independently source major deals (precisely where Partners deliver value through resources and expertise). Not every Director advances to Partner—a promotion that depends not only on effort but also on a measure of luck. Without a track record of successful deals, a Director may remain at this level for many years without progressing. • In small-scale institutions: Especially in early-stage investment firms, mid-level titles often serve merely as formal designations—even lacking any managerial hierarchy. A Director may operate entirely independently: sourcing deals, executing them, and managing all aspects alone—without a dedicated team, and without subordinate investment managers or analysts. In such contexts, a 'Director' is essentially an investment manager with greater experience and stronger capabilities.

Guidelines for Investor Relations Management of Listed Companies

China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) CSRC Announcement [2022] No. 29, issued on April 11, 2022 The 'Guidelines for Investor Relations Management of Listed Companies' are hereby promulgated and shall enter into force on May 15, 2022. China Securities Regulatory Commission April 11, 2022 Annex 1: Guidelines for Investor Relations Management of Listed Companies Annex 2: Explanatory Notes on the Revision of the 'Guidelines for Investor Relations Management of Listed Companies' Guidelines for Investor Relations Management of Listed Companies Chapter I General Provisions Article 1 These Guidelines are formulated to standardize investor relations management practices of listed companies, strengthen effective communication between listed companies and investors, promote improvements in corporate governance, enhance the quality of listed companies, and safeguard—particularly—the legitimate rights and interests of small and medium-sized investors. These Guidelines are based on the Company Law of the People’s Republic of China, the Securities Law of the People’s Republic of China, the State Council’s Opinions on Further Improving the Quality of Listed Companies, the Opinions on Further Strengthening the Protection of Legitimate Rights and Interests of Small and Medium-Sized Investors in the Capital Market, the Opinions on Comprehensively Promoting the Construction of a Diversified Dispute Resolution Mechanism for Securities and Futures, and other relevant laws, regulations, rules, and normative documents. Article 2 These Guidelines apply to joint-stock companies established in accordance with the Company Law of the People’s Republic of China and whose shares are listed and traded on securities exchanges within mainland China. For overseas enterprises issuing shares or depositary receipts and listing in mainland China, matters subject to the laws and regulations of their jurisdiction of incorporation or listing shall be governed accordingly; however, investor relations management activities conducted domestically shall follow these Guidelines by reference, unless otherwise stipulated by law, administrative regulations, or the CSRC. Article 3 Investor relations management refers to activities undertaken by listed companies—including facilitating shareholders’ exercise of rights, information disclosure, interactive communication, and handling of investor inquiries and complaints—to strengthen communication with current and potential investors, deepen investors’ understanding of and identification with the company, improve corporate governance standards and overall enterprise value, and thereby achieve the goals of respecting, rewarding, and protecting investors. Article 4 The fundamental principles of investor relations management for listed companies are: (1) Compliance Principle: Investor relations management must be conducted on the basis of fulfilling statutory information disclosure obligations, and must conform to laws, regulations, rules and normative documents, industry standards and self-regulatory provisions, internal corporate rules and regulations, as well as widely accepted ethical norms and behavioral standards. (2) Equality Principle: Listed companies must treat all investors equally when conducting investor relations activities, especially creating opportunities and providing convenience for small and medium-sized investors to participate. (3) Proactivity Principle: Listed companies should proactively conduct investor relations activities, solicit investors’ opinions and suggestions, and promptly respond to investors’ concerns and requests. (4) Integrity Principle: Listed companies must uphold honesty and integrity, adhere to bottom-line standards, operate in compliance, assume responsibility, and foster a healthy and sound market ecosystem. Article 5 These Guidelines constitute the foundational code of conduct for investor relations management of listed companies. Listed companies shall carry out investor relations management activities in accordance with the spirit and requirements set forth herein. Controlling shareholders, actual controllers, directors, supervisors, and senior management personnel of listed companies shall attach great importance to, actively participate in, and support investor relations management activities.

PPG Industries Promotes Alex Lopez to VP of Investor Relations

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PPG Industries Inc. announced the promotion of Alex Lopez to Vice President of Investor Relations and Operational Finance effective October 1. Lopez will focus on capital discipline, productivity governance, and operational finance effectiveness within the company.

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PPG Industries Promotes Alex Lopez to VP of Investor Relations

PPG Industries Promotes Alex Lopez to VP of Investor Relations

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