Deciding between two career paths / offers??
I’ll keep this right to the point. I am leaving IB after 4 long years and wanted to not pursue traditional exits in PE or HF or Corp Dev or anything with too much modeling.
- Investor Relations Manager at a F500 in the same sector I covered in IB reporting directly to head of IR
- Asset Allocator Associate at a large OCIO
Upon much searching and recruiting, I’ve come upon those two offers that are quite different career paths and I truly don’t know what to pick. I want to purely focus on which is a better long-term career for me in a fast changing world (AI impact potentially on having roles in the future). They are both a paycut either way.
My goals/personality: I’m not that smart or brilliant candidly (not being humble just honest) so something that doesn’t require me to be very smart to succeed in. I don’t mind tedious work if im getting paid well frankly. I’d like to be involved in public markets and have connectivity to the investment world but not be too bogged down in modeling or details constantly. I also enjoy social/salesy aspect of a job but don’t want to it to be too high pressure.
Any help much appreciated 🙏
Based on the most helpful WSO content, here’s a breakdown of your two options:
Investor Relations Manager at F500
Pros: - Direct exposure to public markets: You’ll be working closely with investors, analysts, and the broader investment community, keeping you connected to the public markets. - Social/salesy aspect: IR is inherently relationship-driven, involving communication with stakeholders, which aligns with your preference for a social role. - Less technical modeling: While you’ll need to understand financials, the role is more about storytelling and communication than deep financial modeling. - Career stability: IR roles at established companies tend to be stable, especially if the company is performing well. - Potential for growth: If the company values IR, you could grow into a senior IR role or pivot into corporate strategy or other leadership positions.
Cons: - Performance tied to the company: Your success and job security are closely tied to the company’s performance, which can be a risk in volatile sectors. - Limited exit options: IR roles don’t always have the broadest exit opportunities, though they can lead to corporate strategy or CFO-track roles in some cases.
Asset Allocator Associate at a Large OCIO
Pros: - Exposure to investment strategy: You’ll gain experience in asset allocation, manager selection, and portfolio construction, which keeps you connected to the investment world. - Less pressure: OCIO roles are generally less high-pressure compared to traditional investment banking or hedge fund roles. - Long-term career potential: Asset allocation and OCIO roles are less likely to be disrupted by AI, as they require judgment, relationship management, and strategic thinking. - Diverse skill set: You’ll develop a mix of investment knowledge and client-facing skills, which can be valuable for future roles in asset management or consulting.
Cons: - Less social/salesy: While there is a client-facing component, the role may not be as relationship-driven as IR. - Potentially tedious: Depending on the firm, the role could involve a lot of operational or administrative work, especially at the associate level. - Exit options: While OCIO roles can lead to senior positions in asset management or consulting, the path may not be as clear-cut as other finance roles.
Key Considerations for You:
Recommendation:
If you value a social, public-markets-focused role with less technical pressure, Investor Relations seems like the better fit for your personality and goals. However, if you’re looking for a more strategic, investment-oriented role with long-term stability and less risk of disruption, the OCIO Asset Allocator role could be the way to go.
Ultimately, it comes down to whether you prioritize the social/salesy aspect (IR) or the investment strategy focus (OCIO). Both are solid options, but aligning with your personality and long-term goals is key.
Sources: What’s the deal with Investor Relations?, Fork in the road: Career path in Asset Management, https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forum/asset-management/could-use-some-insight-on-careers-in-asset-management?customgpt=1, Thoughts on Investor Relations? A good or bad move?, Career advice needed: Acquisitions vs Asset Management
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