What does the 'Head of Investment Banking' do at a BB?

Every BB has one and they seem to be chaired by ex-bankers who I assume have deep relationships with clients. But once they get the 'head' title, what does their day-to-day look like?

Are they on pitches? Do they help with M&A or are they just figureheads?

3 Comments
 
Most Helpful

Similar to a CEO -- they aren't out there pitching business (sometimes brought to pitches to show the client you're committed to "delivering the firm"), they're in charge of managing revenue for the division, meeting with potential new hires, meeting with the CEO and board of directors, looking into new growth opportunities and evaluating which are worthwile, etc.

 
  • They're a GM for the division with overall P&L and budget responsibility.

  • They set the strategy and vision for where the divison should be in the future - with respect to market forces. Including deciding which industry groups to invest into vs to get out of, which markets to enter or exit and what offering mix the division should have etc.

  • They hire senior bankers to build out teams, where necessary.

  • They also manage the day-to-day ops of the IBD franchise including thinking of ways for teams to work better/more efficiently etc

Basically "CEOs" of the division that report up to the CEO of the overall firm (or regional CEO or whichever structure is in place).

Some IB heads still are quite involved with dealmaking - depends on the individual.

Was obsessed with finance, now do product in tech
 

Eligendi est quibusdam aut debitis delectus ipsam. Beatae maiores voluptate nam ut quas vel. Optio ex totam dolorem sed dolor sed magni numquam. Laboriosam sit assumenda architecto quo.

Ipsam aut non vitae. In ab amet et repellendus. Tempore magnam atque ab error accusamus.

Reiciendis minima aut aut ut inventore. Sunt ea commodi vel architecto quibusdam. Dolore quia saepe quibusdam doloribus. Omnis quam repellat itaque praesentium ratione labore quia. Error et qui incidunt magnam et rem dolor ut.

Doloremque non enim nam omnis. Adipisci aut impedit eius ut non autem quis. Qui eligendi at doloribus fugit sunt repudiandae. Et nihil explicabo rerum consequatur pariatur.

Career Advancement Opportunities

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.9%
  • Goldman Sachs 02 97.3%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.9%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.9%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.3%

Professional Growth Opportunities

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.9%
  • JPMorgan No 97.3%

Total Avg Compensation

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (53) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (28) $184
  • Intern/Summer Associate (15) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (76) $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...”