Citadel Best Teams?

1-How do I find the pods at Citadel that have low turnover and have generated consistent alpha over 5+ years? Any websites I can use to filter? Or is LinkedIn basically the only way?

2-What are some specific teams at Citadel that fit this bill? I understand they will not have many openings but still worth a shot.

25 Comments
 

Finding the best teams or pods at Citadel with low turnover and consistent alpha generation over 5+ years can be challenging, but here’s what you need to know:

  1. How to Identify Low-Turnover, High-Alpha Pods:

    • LinkedIn: This is one of the most effective tools. You can track the tenure of team members and see if there’s stability within specific pods. Look for profiles of Portfolio Managers (PMs) and analysts who have been at Citadel for an extended period.
    • Networking: Reaching out to current or former employees through LinkedIn or industry events can provide insights into which teams are performing well and have a stable environment.
    • Industry Forums: Platforms like Wall Street Oasis (WSO) often have discussions about hedge fund teams, including Citadel. While specific pod names may not always be disclosed, you can gather general insights about team dynamics and performance.
    • Recruiters: Specialized headhunters in the hedge fund space often have insider knowledge about which pods are thriving and which ones have openings.
  2. Specific Teams at Citadel:

    • Based on the most helpful WSO content, Citadel’s Global Equities teams are often highlighted as top-tier, particularly when compared to other multi-manager platforms like Millennium, BAM, and Point72. These teams operate under a market-neutral strategy and are known for their rigorous risk management and consistent alpha generation.
    • Teams like Surveyor Capital (a carveout within Citadel) may have different strategies and could be worth exploring.
    • Pods with PMs who have been at Citadel for several years are likely to have a track record of success and lower turnover. Again, LinkedIn is a key tool to identify these individuals.

While there isn’t a specific website to filter pods by performance and turnover, leveraging LinkedIn, networking, and industry forums like WSO will be your best bet.

Sources: Citadel Global Equities (pay, culture, career path, lifestyle), What I've Learned About Hedge Fund Structure and Compensation, What is the secret sauce? Feel like I don't know anything, DE Shaw vs Two Sigma vs Citadel Offer Advice

I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.
 

fair point, yes, I'm kind of retarded so idk how to research this, and i guess it makes sense why it is not public. do you know how i can find out though? sorry for the dumbass question

 

This. It's not like you're going to talk your way into a position at one of these. If BD at Citadel introduces you to a team, you can ask about track and longevity, and see whether you like what you hear.

But frankly, to think these things are out there in the open for anyone to look up... kind of naive.

All these things ultimately require you to use your own judgement, not to rely on a list somewhere.

 

Yes I am naive. Yes, what a transgression to assume there was a list. Now, regarding the next best approach and using my own judgment, would appreciate guidance on this. Will the headhunters just kind of show me one PM at a time and I could keep asking them to hire me for another team with my listed criteria, or would not accepting that very PM they suggest eliminate me from the process? If I reach out to PMs strictly based on tenure from LinkedIn, would I be able to place directly onto those teams during BD conversations? Very unfamiliar with this process.

 
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There's a huge element of luck with timing. A great PM might only hire every couple of years, and maybe you get lucky that you had your chat with BD the week before the search is launched and maybe your sector experience lines up with the hiring PM.

But the more junior you are, the more interchangeable you look to BD. There is zero chance you're going to be put on a resume pile of "only for high-quality PMs". Such a pile doesn't exist, and realistically, you probably don't have the bargaining power to be picky, as BD will likely see you as interchangeable with the dozens of other candidates.

At your level, you don't pass on interviewing. Take as many interviews as you can, and ideally you get to late stages of several processes simultaneously. At that point you can reverse-interview the PM and figure out on your own who looks best and who might be the better fit for you.

 

Ok then how do I increase the odds of these specific teams finding me? I understand I cannot screen them myself, so asking for the next best action

 

oh you sweet child

"If you don't have any enemies in life you have never stood up for anything" - Winston Churchill | "It's a testament to the sheer belligerence of the profession that people would rather argue about the 'risk-adjusted returns' of using inferior tooth cleaning methods." - kellycriterion
 

Nope, the information you're looking for does not exist in a searchable format and it being almost impossible to find out is by design. Nobody wants their best guys getting poached.

"If you don't have any enemies in life you have never stood up for anything" - Winston Churchill | "It's a testament to the sheer belligerence of the profession that people would rather argue about the 'risk-adjusted returns' of using inferior tooth cleaning methods." - kellycriterion
 

Most people that have been around have a known reputation good or bad. Some might be great investors but difficult to work with. It's not that hard to figure out. BD or linkedin will tell you how long they've been at the fund. If they suck, they can't last very long. Sellside and PMs in the same sector will also have an opinion. Traders on the desk have also dealt with him and can speak to his ability and personality. BD will tell you about their story with the fund and before.

And finally, you get to talk directly to the PM and to people in his team working under him. How long do analysts last under him? Do they see career progression? Of course not everything they say might be true, but it's your job to determine this. It can't be outsourced.

Presumably you believe that in researching stocks you'll be driven and resourceful about finding edge. Gotta apply the same mentality to diligencing the PM. 

 

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