co-investment / Allocator roles WLB

Co-investment roles at sovereign wealth funds (SWFs), pension funds, and similar allocators generally offer better work-life balance compared to traditional private equity (PE) or investment banking (IB) roles. Here's what you need to know:

Work-Life Balance (WLB):

• Hours: Co-investment-heavy roles at these institutions typically involve 40-50 hours per week during normal periods. However, during active co-investment deals, hours can spike to 70+ hours per week, though this is less frequent compared to GP roles.
• Weekend Work: You'll likely do very little work on weekends, which is a significant improvement over GP or IB roles.
• Intensity: The more co-investments a group handles, the more intense the hours can become. However, these roles are still considered less demanding than direct investment roles.

Nature of Work:

• Co-investment roles often involve validating the GP's diligence, conducting expert calls, and analyzing the competitive landscape. You may not build models from scratch but will likely sensitize key drivers within the GP's model.
• The work is faster-paced than traditional LP commitments but less in-depth than direct investments.

Upward Mobility:

• Career Progression: Upward mobility in these roles can be slower compared to GP roles, as allocator organizations often have flatter hierarchies. However, they provide excellent exposure to top-tier GPs and a broad range of industries, which can be leveraged for future opportunities.
• Exit Opportunities: If you decide to transition, moving back to a GP or into a more traditional PE role is possible but may be challenging, depending on the firm and your experience.

Additional Considerations:

• Travel: Depending on the role, there may be more international travel, which can be a bonus or a drawback depending on your preferences.
• Compensation: While compensation is competitive, it may not match the levels seen in GP roles, especially at the junior and mid-levels.

In summary, co-investment roles at SWFs and pension funds strike a balance between challenging work and manageable hours, making them an attractive option for those prioritizing work-life balance without completely stepping away from the PE/Infra space.

Sources: best job for work life balance?, Work/Life Balance: Equity Research vs. Investment Banking - (A Definitive Guide, Part 1), Software Engineering seems like the best job one could have