Investor Relations or Asset Management/Allocator??

Long-story short, I've done a lot of research on exits and have narrowed it down to these two paths (coming from a few years in IB). I am not sure which to pick.

I know they may seems like quite different paths but my interests and reasonings are below.

Interested in public markets, equities, discretionary macro, geopolitics, etc however am NOT interested in L/S Equities or Equity Research (more interested in multi-asset investing versus stock-picking). I also would prefer to not have to go down the CFA path nor anything too technical in nature.

Seems that IR provides a great Comp/WLB ratio and is not a quantitative role. IR roles also seem a lot more plentiful. For example, there's no shortage of IR postings on Linkedin whereas for Asset Allocator or anything involved in investment strategy, the roles seem very difficult to find or they are not looking for someone with an IB background. Perhaps I'm looking in the wrong place?

My interests ultimately align more with macro and multi-asset management, but IR seems like a more logical path for the long-run as a career.

I've also had some people describe my interests in markets as more of a "hobby" given I don't care for stock-picking and that multi-asset investing and discretionary macro is a "shrinking field"

Any guidance here would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

8 Comments
 

IR roles are easy to find right now because the fundraising environment is extremely difficult. IR at a smaller or unsuccessful fund is... not a fun job, which is why the postings are always plentiful and always open. You're basically cold calling LPs and begging for capital at the small funds. The larger funds where fundraising is easier (MFs) tend to have few roles available for their successful franchises - easy to find solid candidates and they don't leave. If you want to be in sales, this is a good spot. It's no coincidence that IR tends to be very attractive women, it's a sales role. I would diligence the fund very carefully since you will be expected to sell it.

Asset management is very lucrative given pay and WLB. Those jobs do like an IB background, but they very rarely post as you're noticing... people do not leave these seats. Also, CFA is a requirement at most of these AM seats - you can get a job without it or with just L1, but you'll be expected to progress on that path. AM and ER are the only seats that care about the CFA credential, but they care a lot.

Have you looked into macro research? Can be done on the buyside or sellside and the roles are a bit easier to come by than an investment seat.

 

Thank you very much for this! Just what I needed. I have indeed tried to look into Macro research roles but am having trouble seeing postings or finding the relevant people to network with. It also seems that macro is now heavily quantitative and I would be expected to learn some level of coding?

As for AM, I was looking towards something more like being a multi-asset Allocator rather than traditional AM as that would perhaps be less competitive and not require a CFA but perhaps I’m wrong

 

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