MBB Principal here. Looking to pivot to a Fundamental L/S Equity pod in Dubai / AD
Strong sector expertise in Asset Management / Payments. I’m done with the advisory side; looking for P&L responsibility and buy-side risk.
Few questions :
- Seniority: Is a "Senior Analyst" or "Associate PM" entry feasible, or am I looking at a total reset?
- Headhunters: Who is actually moving people into the DIFC pods (Millennium, Citadel, Point72) right now? Local boutiques or the standard London shops?
- Comp: Is the tax-free Dubai uplift as significant as rumored for senior MBB pivots?
Appreciate any insights
Total reset, you can’t make money so no one is taking you as a senior analyst or pm
Good luck, looking for similar pivot as well. Another data point I heard from someone in the know there is that the UAE is looking to add income taxes in the coming years, still won't be anywhere near likes of London but won't be completely 0%.
You’ll take a haircut vs London in gross base salary but there’s obviously the tax benefit. You should get a relocation bonus but guarantee unlikely as you’re moving from a sell side role.
I don’t mind the haircut of course
If I relocate in Dubai with BCG I ll be around 500k€ after tax. I do not want to go bellow 250k€ in HF
Not sur if it is feasible..
Would expect around $200k for Dubai. MLP base salary is around $150k for almost everyone. Then bonus dependent on performance but unlikely to exceed the 500 you mention for the first 2-3 years.
0 chance of "Senior Analyst" or "Associate PM" when you have 0 exp in even idea generation, let alone owning P&L/putting on risk. I don't know what headhunters handle Dubai but for the funds you mentioned they all have BD/talent folks you could reach out to for a shot at testing into an An1 pod spot. Income tax uplift is legit, but you won't get one because you'll be taking a pay cut since you have to start from the bottom of the analyst hierarchy.
Well this is going to be an humbling experience…
Think of it this way - 1 step back for potentially 2-3 steps forward. The upside potential blows consulting out of the water if you have staying power.
You are looking at a full reset, the skillsets are not overlapping. This move is quite hard to be honest and would require a huge pay cut. Pods PM usually prefer young people that they can train in the process. Most of the time experienced hires come from equity research but people in equity research have spent years covering listed companies and talking to investors like pods, looking at how stock moves under different scenarii, catalysts etc. They know the game. You don't have experience with any of that.
I'm Dubai-based and and have been at a pod HF. I had a consulting friend go into a SWF in AD. PE rather than public markets, but investing nonetheless.
So consulting -> investing is possible, even if not a central case. For pods, way less common. But there have been some interesting cases, especially in Dubai. For example SWF -> pod PM. But they're rare and normally took risk in public markets in a non-pod seat already.
I'd ask yourself if you want 'investing' more broadly or pod specifically. In both cases, not an easy move, but 'investing' as the goal opens more doors in Dubai, e.g. SWFs, family offices etc.
And be aware that pod trading is a specific game - just one small slice of the investing spectrum.
Just my 2 cents.
Ea deserunt quisquam maiores ut vero dolorum labore qui. Reiciendis numquam iusto consequatur natus molestias. Doloremque natus iure dignissimos. Aperiam illo blanditiis et rem. Ut ea nobis culpa est quia autem mollitia qui. Omnis dicta maiores ut ex eveniet. Mollitia quis quis odio dolorem porro quis harum ut.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...