How does one get into Abraaj Capital in Dubai

oldmansacks:

They recruit for top-tier schools mostly bschool grads. I have yet to see someone from a non-target. Most guys I know had really good connections (family) + good university + high grades + BB IB experience.

Getting there straight out of undergrad will be a long shot to impossible. I would try to do Dubai BB or MBB first. You are competing with nationals there with BB/MBB experience who are killing to get a spot at Abraaj Capital.

Just like mega funds in the U.S. just higher bonus/salary, tax free salary/bonus, and better lifestyle.

From what I've heard, prospectives at the analyst/associate levels are not so eager to work at Abraaj. Various sources cite absolutely brutal work hours (~110hrs/week), very rude bosses (think dlj/UBS LA) and something close to a 10% staff cut at the lower levels every year. All of this is hearsay, though.

From what I can gather, nationals are indeed killing to get a spot, but most of them try to get in to a VP/SVP level. I gather that the local population is not too fond of being treated like a monkey (apparently there is some sort of "manager-complex" within the emiratis). Hearsay again.

hi, you still have that connection, can i pm you?

Pm me...is this the Fund in Dubai?

anyone else know much about the firm? i've looked at their portfolio, track record and fund growth and it all looks very impressive. thinking of seriously recruiting there. what do you think the exit opportunities would be like if i were to leave after a few years?

Great fund, easily the most prominent in Dubai. They've done some >$1bn deals too, fundraising has been a breeze for them. Extremely aggressive and they've had some fantastic exits; they're currently on a hiring spree of sorts since they can pick up ex-BBers (hard to come by in Dubai in the past) without a guaranteed bonus etc. You'll get great deal experience there, they're very active and management has great connections in Dubai (which is key in the region).

All that said, the work culture is terrible; it's an absolute sweatshop, they generally cut 10% of people per year, no one there seems terrible happy. Then again, I hear bonuses last year were 500% of base for many (several exits). So comp is good, but it's a tough environment to work in. But as far as local PE players go, they're far and away the biggest name.

500% of base? That's a lot higher than average PE bonus in Dubai.

well, they do have connections with the government because it is owned by the government.

Like I said, wasn't average, they made a few very good exits. But they've paid 5 times base before. Comp is generally not something to worry about.

And no, it isn't a sovereign wealth fund, although a lot of the shareholders are government. Most are actually large HNWIs (influential families) from all over the region, including KSA. It's actually done far better than the 15 or so UAE SWFs.

bump - especially interested in any info regarding their non-Dxb offices (reputation, comp, etc)

has anyone interviewed there recently? applied but no response.

I have a friend who works there and he agreed that the environment is tough, but he also said that if you are not 100% sure that you want to concentrate on the Middle East and Africa in the long-term, you should look for another fund.

what's your "home country" if you dont mind me asking?

I've talked to someone at Abraaj - pretty sure they want the same experience that any other giant LBO fund would want.