What’s it like being a VP Staffer?
From my internships to my current gig at an EB - it seems like the staffer role is a dreaded position because the chosen VP has to allocate so much of their time to fielding staff requests vs. doing deals. However it also seems like the VPs who are known to be the best of their class always rotate through the staffing position. From an analyst perspective, the staffer can really make or break your experience so I’m curious what that gig is like for those who have done it. Did you volunteer to do it or were you tapped to do it? Do you like doing it or is it more of an annoying job? How does your split of work in a day change as a staffer? Why did you say yes to doing it?
I’ll take a stab. Note that every firm and bank is different as it comes to a staffing model. Some teams have two staffers too, one for the ANL/ASO and one for the VPs (yes it’s nuts). Typically, you get tapped to do it and the senior bankers will phrase it as itll be helpful in promotion cycles to Ds but it’s such a thank less job. Juniors will always push back and complain about staffings, MDs will always complain if a junior is not prioritizing their work blah blah blah. You probably spend a few hours a week on this and may have to do staffing meetings to talk about what everyone is working on.
Do you guys get training on how to do the specific job? I’m curious how one would stay organized enough to do things in a timely manner - how do Ds even tell who is a “good” staffer or not?
Not really. You basically get passed down a spreadsheet from the previous staffer that lists what analysts and associates are working on and then just make sure folks aren’t getting crushed. There’s like quarterly staffing meetings with like HR and professions development to discuss ways to improve and how we can be better staffers
Certain MDs would tell you they only want to work with X/Y/Z analysts and associates so you need to balance that. The staffer does however typically pair themselves with the best juniors so there’s politics there. And for extra comp, they give you like an extra $5k in bonus at my bank….
Not necessarily the best VPs roll through. It's typically those who are more political and fit the desired look or profile. Often times the absolute best ones are too busy on projects. They do get good exposure and more comp so it's not entirely a thankless job.
It’s a stupid job that people do only to try and get promoted or not get RIFed. The best performers are usually not the staffers, it’s the ones playing the politics game
they often get to staff up their own deal with the best analysts and associates and then give their competing VPs the worst ones.
At minus ratione beatae enim dolores. Consequatur voluptatem perferendis ut laboriosam qui cupiditate fuga. Quas sapiente est at sed fugit.
Esse voluptate eaque voluptas. Ab in qui nisi ut quia possimus quo.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...