What career fits this description?

This is a sort of a two-parter but the first part is what career or role would fit this description: 

A role where the overall objective is seeking an asset (alt's, equities via activist investing, etc) for direct investment and creating value by reducing inefficiencies, restructuring in general terms, and/or innovating. This also includes the occasional investment in intrinsically undervalued assets. Generally, the focus would be on one or a few assets at a time.

Is that just generally buy-side finance? or am I missing something here? Kind of a mix of equity research + corporate dev + consulting but your upside/compensation is directly tied to the outcome. 


The second part is how would I position myself for such a role in the longer term. I'm currently an advisor at a mega-cap asset manager and I'm working towards CFA and CAIA. I'm fairly new to this side of finance but I come from a startup background.

Location-wise, I'm in the US but long term I would want to end up in the MENA region. It does seem pretty dry there and the only real players are the SWF's. I could also be interested in moving to the UK as an in-between.


Any comments or thoughts are much appreciated, just brainstorming for goals here. I'm extremely thankful to have my current role but the description I mentioned interests me a lot more than tweaking asset mixes all day. 

 

Based on the most helpful WSO content, the career that fits the description provided is likely a role in Private Equity or Activist Hedge Funds. These roles involve:

  • Direct investment in assets, often with a focus on a limited number of deals at a time.
  • Creating value by identifying inefficiencies, restructuring companies, and driving innovation.
  • Investment in undervalued assets with the aim of realizing their potential value.
  • Compensation that is often tied to the performance of the investments.

This is indeed a part of buy-side finance, but more specifically, it aligns with roles that have an active hand in managing and improving the operations of the investments they make.

To position yourself for such a role in the longer term, considering your background as an advisor at a mega-cap asset manager and your pursuit of CFA and CAIA certifications, you might consider the following steps:

  1. Networking: Build relationships with professionals in the Private Equity and Activist Hedge Fund space. Networking can provide insights into the industry and open up opportunities.

  2. Skill Development: Continue to develop your financial analysis and valuation skills, which are crucial in these roles. Your startup background could be valuable in understanding how to drive innovation and growth within portfolio companies.

  3. Experience: Gain experience in investment analysis, due diligence, and deal execution. This could involve transitioning to roles within your current organization that are closer to the investment decision-making process or seeking opportunities with firms that have a more direct investment approach.

  4. Geographical Research: For a move to the MENA region or the UK, research the market and the key players in those regions. Understand the landscape of Private Equity and Hedge Funds in those areas, and consider roles that could serve as a bridge, such as working with firms that have a strong presence or connections in those regions.

  5. Cultural and Regional Understanding: Develop an understanding of the business culture and regulatory environment in the MENA region and the UK, which will be critical for a successful transition.

  6. Language Skills: If not already proficient, consider learning relevant languages that could be beneficial in the MENA region.

  7. Mentorship: Seek mentors who have experience in the regions you are interested in or in the specific roles you aspire to. They can provide guidance and potentially facilitate introductions.

Remember, transitioning to a new role and region takes time and strategic planning, but with your current trajectory and additional focus on the areas mentioned, you can position yourself well for the future.

Sources: To Those Who's Had A Successful Career In CRE, What Advice Do You Have For Younger Generations?, Fork in the road: Career path in Asset Management, Activist Value Investing: Be Your Own "Change" Agent, Career Advice: Acquisitions vs. Development, Private Equity vs. Venture Capital in 2018

I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.
 

Shoutout to you for that, people were losing their shit over the bot for whatever reason at the beginning but it seems like sentiment has really become more supportive. Keep fighting the good fight!

 

Occaecati hic pariatur sint et recusandae nihil voluptas architecto. Reiciendis officia perferendis molestias quis cupiditate sit assumenda. Esse eveniet ex unde eveniet.

Ipsam fugit magni qui libero ut ea est molestiae. Sunt rerum ut distinctio quo. Ut et fugit quod dolorem sint. Odit rerum et esse id sapiente. Perferendis id voluptatum quidem iure laudantium dignissimos quidem dolorem.

Repudiandae eveniet et explicabo ea. Et est quas magnam sunt dolor.

Dignissimos dolore quia consequatur autem nihil nulla. Nisi corporis accusamus nam ipsum. Dolorem provident sint fugiat et. Aliquid voluptatem qui aut illo magni aliquam. Eaque quisquam distinctio iste fugit aut consequatur.

Career Advancement Opportunities

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Jefferies & Company 02 99.4%
  • Lazard Freres No 98.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 18 98.3%
  • Harris Williams & Co. New 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 04 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Harris Williams & Co. 18 99.4%
  • JPMorgan Chase 10 98.8%
  • Lazard Freres 05 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.7%
  • William Blair 03 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Lazard Freres 01 99.4%
  • Jefferies & Company 02 98.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 17 98.3%
  • Moelis & Company 07 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 05 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (5) $648
  • Vice President (20) $385
  • Associates (91) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (14) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (68) $168
  • 1st Year Analyst (205) $159
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (146) $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
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
99.0
3
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
6
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
kanon's picture
kanon
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.8
10
bolo up's picture
bolo up
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...”