Am I being screwed on Comp

Spoke with HH prior to final round interview at relatively new NYC MM/UMM (latest fund size <5B) fund. Was told total comp expectations should be around 250k. That seemed awfully low as banking associate salary at my firm is 175k. Is this normal? Would it burn the bridge with the head hunter if I declined based on pay if negotiations don’t go well?

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To give you a couple of data points, was given an offer for around $315 all in (165 / 150) for a PE firm with a $4.4 Bn latest fund. I was offered $250 (125 / 125) for a middle market fund in a Tier II city where the latest fund was $1 Bn so I would say $250k for NYC for a fund that size does seem low. 

I don't think it'll burn a bridge with the HH if you decline the offer but would try to find some other reasons for the rejection if you can – people generally don't like pay being the ultimate factor. Also, the reason the HH is bringing this up pre final round is so that they aren't in a position where fund gives the offer and then you reject based on pay. if you do reject based on pay, would do it now instead of after receiving the offer.

 

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