Are PE-backed Portco exits overrated for below Director? (aka Manager and below)
From a few headhunters I've talked to as well as peers and Charles Aris survey, managers and below hardly ever get carry/equity resulting almost all of them getting around/below $200k all in. This is in line with what I'm making as a SA but I'm at a public company (F1000) work remote, and pretty chill.
Even when it comes to carry, ~2xMOIC hurdle (which may no longer be the norm) is pretty risky in this market.
Based on the most helpful WSO content, your observations align with common sentiments regarding PE-backed portfolio company (Portco) exits for professionals below the Director level. Here are some key points:
Compensation Realities:
Risk vs. Reward:
Lifestyle Considerations:
Market Trends:
In summary, for professionals below the Director level, PE-backed Portco exits may indeed be overrated, especially when compared to stable, well-compensated roles in public companies with better lifestyle benefits.
Sources: Any career regrets after moving from PE to public markets?, Am I missing something about buyside exits?, From Private Equity Associate to VP in Private Equity, Private Equity Operations / Portfolio Career Path, For seniors who have spent your career in private equity, do you regret it?
Overrated? I'm not sure that's the right word for it as I don't think people hype up manager at port Cos much. Manager level and below at a Portco is usually akin to an analyst/associate at a traditional corporate so you're spot on that the comp packages tend not to be too different. I interviewed for a while for manager/senior manager roles while a SA at a Corp and almost always decided against it because I've found that the hardest hurdle to clear moving to a port co is going from manager to director. They don't want to dilute the equity pool if they don't have to, and you have almost 0 negotiating power in a promotion process versus an interview process. Considering your job seems pretty chill, personally I would push for a promo before hitting the market again so you can point toward your experience as a "manager" to push for director level port co. roles.
100% agree with everything here. I’m a Director at a PE portco. Only time I’ve seen anyone under Director get equity is due to nepotism.
Equity that will realistically pay out is very difficult to get, especially at a meaningful amount. Why would seniors want to dilute and hand off money to you?
$200k all-in is not bad at all outside ofHCOL areas. My entire career has been at private companies and I’ve gone from $50k out of college to around $200k all-in, but firms will screw you on bonuses which can lower your comp. Not uncommon for portcos to set unreasonable budgets and then slash bonuses due to not hitting said budget
Thank you for checking my sanity. Keep hearing people touting PE-backed exits.
I have debated going to a PE backed and always decided against it. For reasons you described but imo there’s a lot of downside (hours and pressure) without much upside vs a public or non-PE backed private.
If you make decent money and have a chill job don’t trade that for decent money and an absolutely NOT chill job
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