IB to Corp Dev then back to IB?

I started my career at a middle market IB before leaving as a third year analyst to join an acquisitive Corp Dev team (publicly traded healthcare company). I stayed there for ~5 years, making it to the Sr. Manger level before leaving to join a PE-backed enterprise software company (~200m revenue) as a Director of Corp Dev. The company was severely impacted by the tech market headwinds and ended up pulling the plug on M&A and laying off my team (in addition to many others). I sourced, closed, and integrated 2 tuck-in acqusitions, but the broader roll-up play never came to fruition.

I'm really craving more deal volume and a stimulating work environment. Is there a path back into middle market IB? If so, how realistic is it and what level roles should I be targeting?   

4 Comments
 

Why would you come back to IB after 5+ years in Corp Dev?

You likely wouldn’t get a VP position so it’d be a setback progression wise. I’d imagine you’d be at a good comp number right now so you aren’t hurting financially.

Why not just join another healthcare or tech company or whatever at a similar position u were at prior to being laid off?

 

Would you be going in as a senior associate? If so what would the comp be like compared to the other role? Have thought about going into corp dev as well but unsure what comp is like

 
Most Helpful

Esse sit corporis illo voluptatem magnam odio. Est est debitis sunt suscipit.

Molestias illum ab facere rerum. Aut aliquam natus quas ut repellendus possimus. Doloremque enim nihil tempora neque ratione minus. Sunt assumenda illum autem.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.2%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.2%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.6%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.2%
  • JPMorgan No 97.7%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (14) $434
  • Associates (43) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (75) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (65) $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
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
6
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
7
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
8
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
9
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
10
Jamoldo's picture
Jamoldo
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...”