5 Years experience in IB/PE, what title should I target in Corp Strat/Dev?

Thanks for any insight in advance. Currently an Associate in MM PE looking to make the transition into Corp Dev/Strategy (open to early/late/mature stage companies primarily geared towards tech). As title states, have five years total experience in IB and PE including direct management experience of more junior resources/teams. When applying for jobs in corporate dev/strat, what title should I be targeting that is aligned with this level of experience?

I've received looks/interviews for everything from "Manager" to "Director" ranging from early stage businesses to F100 companies. Acknowledging that title/role varies heavily from place to place, but is there a particular hierarchical position I should be asking for that (i) doesn't undersell my experience and (ii) avoids underachieving expectations?

Any insight for those who have made a similar transition, or have helped onboard similar types of candidates, would be really appreciated!

10 Comments
 

If you switch careers you’ll probably have to come in as an analyst again. Best case scenario an “experienced” analyst. Best advice to you would be pursue a compliance/risk role if you want to taste that juicy Work/Life balance and still bring in a ~30% bonus

 

Thanks all really appreciate the responses. Sounds like Manager/Senior Manager is fair game here.

I know compensation varies widely but any sense what would be fair for this position at a F500 non-FAANG role in a high COL city? Have gotten reads all over the place (including on this forum), so any color would be very helpful here.

 

I've had two separate corporate development stints at publicly traded companies (I left at Director level and had no IBD or PE experience). 

Depending on the company, I think you should be looking at Director roles and I wouldn't hesitate to apply for VP level roles. 

Maybe a manager or Sr. Manager at a tech company that's very competitive (FAANG). 

 

Optio quidem ex est eveniet ea harum. Eum vel explicabo at est ut esse suscipit.

Est ad aperiam tenetur consequatur aut. Iusto adipisci est corrupti esse vel omnis. Consectetur ea error eaque occaecati fugiat. Blanditiis quae vitae ea fuga. Assumenda enim ut quasi vitae. Similique veritatis qui vel laudantium.

Ea eius voluptatum et maxime et perspiciatis dolore. Dignissimos quod itaque cum repellat neque. Dolore est est earum repudiandae eveniet natus nihil. Autem aut voluptatem sint eligendi corrupti excepturi. Magnam veniam commodi repellendus veniam rerum iure id.

Career Advancement Opportunities

November 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 99.0%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Guggenheim Partners 02 97.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 97.4%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

November 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 99.0%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.9%
  • BMO Capital Markets 13 97.4%

Professional Growth Opportunities

November 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 99.0%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.9%
  • JPMorgan No 97.4%

Total Avg Compensation

November 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (17) $409
  • Associates (57) $264
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (29) $183
  • Intern/Summer Associate (16) $161
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (77) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
6
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
9
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
10
Linda Abraham's picture
Linda Abraham
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”