Current MM PM Packages

Getting bombarded by recruiters claiming the PM market is insanely hot. Wondering what people have been seeing for MM PM packages to poach from fellow MMs. Obviously there are BBG articles claiming 8 figure guarantees, but I figured those are for very senior PMs with 10+ year tracks. As someone who is still pretty early into a career, probably not very applicable. 

For reference, last time I popped my head out I received offers around ~800k total guaranteed first year, 15-17% payouts, 10m drawdown from platforms. However the guaranteed bonus was a draw on future PnL - have been hearing that now platforms just give you cash instead of structuring it as a draw. Ended up deciding to stay at my current shop.

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Was gonna say the same thing but I’m sure the thought process is: HF > IB (usual buyside > sellside argument) so if an IB VP is getting 800k, surely to be competitive they need to pay >800k. IB pay is insane now. HF’s are not following because it’s totally irrelevant. Wrong comp set. Doesn’t affect them until you get talent retained in banking and not moving over but don’t think that’s happening yet. 

 

Doesn't seem like this is worth anything.

In  reality depends on your previous pnl and consistency but I have never really heard more than low single digits and they can still fire you, so nothing is actually guaranteed.

 

I agree that nothing is ever “100% guaranteed” but there are definitely clauses on keeping your bonus/guarantee if fired (without cause, as criminal behavior etc will disqualify you from your bonus). I know of several contracts where there is a minimum bonus and where you collect that bonus if fired (even for those paid out over years). 

 

It means you get a piece of the overall book to manage more directly. Exactly how much independence and discretion you have obviously depends on you and the pm but generally more direct ownership than just idea generation. Typically you'll get a fixed % of pnl generated by your sleeve (possibly higher % if achieve higher returns/sharpe/IR/alpha/etc)

 

The people I know getting these guarantees almost never need them - they are guys with track records and a pretty safe bet with more upside.

Are you saying that a new sub-PM with 1-2mm max upside is getting their first year at 1mm guaranteed?  I agree that is a better deal, but I'm not aware of that happening and have pretty good info.

 
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Not sure what you are seeing, but as with everything in this industry, it needs to make financial sense. Firms are using these to poach talent, you don’t do this by giving a weak guarantee, you do it by: 1) giving a better upside opportunity (if not why would a good person leave?) and 2) guarantee a good amount so that they are protected from the downside (or getting fired, etc). Anyone getting one of these is going to be comparing it to their current comp, opportunity, and “brand equity” they’ve built up at a firm. The guarantee is meant to help with the last point (and of course reduce overall risk/variability for a year or a few); if someone has a good track record at their current firm they know they have more room to mess up and people that will back them (and probably a clear path to the “next level”). So the guarantee (along with rest of the comp) has to make sense. It isn’t like firms just give the guarantee but everything else is lower, PM’s aren’t stupid. 

So, does it matter? Well, yes, just because you have a good track record that doesn’t mean you’ll perform next year, if someone offered you your average bonus as a guarantee + better upside, why wouldn’t you take it?

 

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