Strategy to asset allocation

Hi all,

I’m currently in an allocator / FoF investment analyst seat at a smaller investment firm, focused on manager research, portfolio monitoring, and investment due diligence.

I’m considering moving to a much larger traditional asset manager in an investment analyst role tied to a specific strategy/platform. The role is not a pure research analyst seat, but it seems highly portfolio-focused: understanding strategy positioning, performance drivers, attribution, macro/market impacts on the book, and working with investment directors / PM teams to explain the portfolio to clients and internal stakeholders.

There may be some RFP / product-related work, but from the interview process, the role sounded much more analytical and portfolio-facing than commercial. The more senior path may eventually involve more client/business development exposure.

My question: would this kind of move make it harder to return to an allocator / manager selection / investment diligence seat later, or is the experience still viewed as relevant? I’m trying to understand whether this is seen as staying within the investment track, or as moving too far into product/investment specialist territory.

Any perspective from people who have moved between allocator seats and asset manager investment/product roles would be helpful.

Thanks.