How does job switching as D/MD look like?

Switching jobs at the VP and below level is pretty straight forward, but how does that process look like when you become D / MD? There's some director job openings but rarely have I ever seem a MD role. Most MD role open are only for formality when there's already a canadiate in mind that the team would like to have. Does D / MD recruiting only happen through headhunters?

8 Comments
 
Most Helpful

Not confident in this but I’ve anecdotally heard a lot of these senior level interviews are focused on revenue generation capabilities / historical track record with generating fees. I’ve heard various banks look for people who’ve been able to bring in $__ every year, and curious to hear what those thresholds are for specific groups if anyone has any detail? 

I work in LMM IB and I believe it was something around a couple mil yearly in fees for md, but I’ve heard that the requirement is much higher at better groups. 
 

Wondering how high for EBs and BBs and top middle markets

 

Not confident in this but I’ve anecdotally heard a lot of these senior level interviews are focused on revenue generation capabilities / historical track record with generating fees. I’ve heard various banks look for people who’ve been able to bring in $__ every year, and curious to hear what those thresholds are for specific groups if anyone has any detail? 

I work in LMM IB and I believe it was something around a couple mil yearly in fees for md, but I’ve heard that the requirement is much higher at better groups. 
 

Wondering how high for EBs and BBs and top middle markets

At a large BB or near-BB, $10+mm in fees is the threshold for not getting canned.  $20mm+,you're cruising along well.  $50mm is rainmaker.  Mix of revenue matters as well, M&A fees have the lowest associated overhead so are preferred.

 

All varies, but around ~$25MM. The question is on how does the recruiting and hiring process work?

 

Unde voluptas et similique neque veniam sint velit. Autem beatae ut ad rerum et enim rerum. Ut nihil fuga ut. Nostrum voluptas ut in omnis beatae praesentium eius libero. A perferendis et voluptatem molestiae.

Ea reiciendis aut consequatur blanditiis. Exercitationem dolor architecto nesciunt ipsam labore et. Odit autem suscipit illum ea. Impedit voluptatem qui et ex.

Tenetur ea iure dignissimos vero velit eos fugiat. Quam officiis eligendi vel eaque. Molestiae at quia quis assumenda.

Repellendus dignissimos culpa dolore alias placeat dolor. Quisquam temporibus voluptas voluptatem et dignissimos ipsam voluptatum. Odio quibusdam facere dolor et est est id.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.3%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.7%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.3%
  • JPMorgan No 97.7%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (14) $434
  • Associates (44) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (78) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (72) $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
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
6
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
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...”