Lower MM IB Boutique -> Corporate Development

I am a first year analyst at a <10 man lower MM boutique investment banking firm based in NYC and now want to pivot to corporate development. During my time at my current firm, I have gained experience in sourcing for investors, creating buyers lists, creating internal / external marketing material, deal origination, and although I have not built a single model, I have done transaction comps and have analyzed prospective client financials statements. We have closed a good number of private placement/fund placement deals and I have been staffed on a few of these deals. However, we have yet to close an M&A deal, but we are currently working on one now and we expect it to close in 3-4 months. After weighing my options and doing my research, I decided I would like to pivot to corporate development. I wanted to ask everyone on here if it’s possible for me to pivot after a year or two of working at my current firm. If not, what are my options?

3 Comments
 
Most Helpful

You could probably get to a role called corporate development, but it'd be for a very small company and exits from there would be nil. Don't think you would be competitive for a desirable corp dev role

If I were you I would pivot upmarket instead, even if it's to corporate banking - you can either shop for corp dev from there or try to get to IB

 

Tempore ipsam et consequatur molestiae vel. Cupiditate earum exercitationem nesciunt quo.

Sint velit a reiciendis consequatur tenetur. Suscipit et quae rerum delectus deserunt aut. Ab modi placeat rerum nam.

Career Advancement Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.3%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.9%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.8%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.3%

Professional Growth Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • JPMorgan No 97.3%

Total Avg Compensation

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (50) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (26) $182
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (75) $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

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...”