BAAM Ventures Investment Associate

Below is a job description from the Blackstone website for their FoF business, specifically for the BAAM Ventures business line. Generally, I've gathered it is difficult to move to direct HF/PE from FoF roles. Does it sound like exit opps would be equally limiting here, or more translatable? (The group sounds cool in its own right so exit opps aren't the deciding factor but want to be aware what doors it could be closing)

The fact that it's buying stakes in AM firms and seeding investors with a revenue share makes it sound kind of like a PE role in the AM sector (modeling cash flows from a hedge fund that you're going to buy or invest in) which is pretty freaking interesting sounding.

I know there's a good chance this was written by HR, but the posting says:

1. "Our investment process combines the financial skills of investment banking, as well as the fundamental underwriting and strategic thinking of private equity."

2. "Strong financial modeling skills and the ability to deconstruct a company’s financials"

this makes it sound like it involves some actual underwriting/structuring. Is anyone reading this differently than I am?

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Description SAF Investment Associate/VP – BAAM

Employer: Blackstone

Firm Overview:

Blackstone is one of the world’s leading investment firms. We seek to create positive economic impact and long-term value for our investors, the companies we invest in, and the communities in which we work. We do this by using extraordinary people and flexible capital to help companies solve problems. Our Asset Management businesses, with over $360 billion in assets under management, include investment vehicles focused on private equity, real estate, public debt and equity, non-investment grade credit, real assets and secondary funds, all on a global basis.

Business Unit: BAAM

Business Unit Overview:

Blackstone Alternative Asset Management (BAAM®), Blackstone’s Hedge Fund Solutions platform, is the world’s largest discretionary investor in hedge funds, with approximately $73 billion in assets under management. BAAM manages a diversified set of businesses including a customized solutions business, a special situations platform, a long-only solutions business, a hedge fund seeding business, an open-ended mutual fund platform and a business that purchases stakes in established hedge funds. In all of BAAM’s business lines, it carefully selects and partners with fund managers across a variety of asset classes and strategies to create solutions for its investors. Through its sharp focus on clients’ goals, a rigorous due-diligence process and access to Blackstone’s global insights, BAAM strives to generate attractive risk-adjusted returns across market cycles while preserving capital during stressed market environments.

Job Title: BAAM Ventures, SAF Investment Associate/VP

Job Description:

Blackstone’s BAAM Ventures group manages more than $6 billion of AUM across two primary investment strategies: (1) acquiring minority ownership interests in alternative asset management firms, and (2) providing seed capital in exchange for revenue sharing interests in startup hedge funds. In acquiring and forming strategic partnerships with these hedge funds, BAAM Ventures offers Associates and Vice Presidents the opportunity to analyze, evaluate, and engage with companies and management teams across the globe. Our investment process combines the financial skills of investment banking, as well as the fundamental underwriting and strategic thinking of private equity.

Responsibilities: Primary responsibilities will include:

Ability to lead the logistics of a hedge fund manager underwriting to completion, including leading “deal team” conversations and presentation to the investment committee

Independently manage a book of hedge fund manager contacts for ongoing coverage

Ability to originate, present and debate original investment analysis to senior management and the investment committee

Ability to source / evaluate new manager leads that fit investment profiles

Lead or assist in negotiating and execution of hedge fund managers seed agreements

Ability to hold a comprehensive investment discussion with the Investment Team and investment committee on topics covering managers, markets, and portfolio construction

Qualifications:

Blackstone seeks to hire individuals who are highly motivated, intelligent and have demonstrated excellence in prior endeavors. In addition to strong analytical and quantitative skills, the successful candidate should have:

Candidates should have 4-10 years of industry experience

Direct investment experience withina buyside environment (preferred)

In depth understanding of markets, instruments, and approaches within a strategy

Superior organizational and communication skills as well as a demonstrated ability to write effectively.

A desire to work in a team environment

Strong financial modeling skills and the ability to deconstruct a company’s financials

An ability to manage ad hoc projects independently and to completion

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, national origin or any other category protected by law.