Corp Dev to PE?
I started my career at a middle market IB before leaving as a third year analyst to join an acquisitive Corp Dev team (publicly traded healthcare company). I stayed there for ~5 years, making it to the Sr. Manger level before leaving to join a PE-backed enterprise software company (~200m revenue) as a Director of Corp Dev. The company was severely impacted by the tech market headwinds and ended up pulling the plug on M&A and laying off my team (in addition to many others). I sourced, closed, and integrated 2 tuck-in acqusitions, but the broader roll-up play never came to fruition.
I'm open to another corp dev role, but I'm wondering if making a move into a PE investing role could also be an option? I have a decent network in the middle market PE world so I can definitely get some strong referrals. If this is a plausible path, what level would I realistically be able to lateral in at?
Not likely at all in this market. Even candidates with 2+2 out of HSW are struggling.
I'd be targeting LMM firms in the southeast. I'd be willing to start as a Sr. Associate.
What geography are you targeting?
I'd be targeting LMM firms in the southeast.
If you’re originally from that Area and can find a few funds with alumni. Particularly the SE and Texas seems to be incestuous from the firms I’ve viewed with odd background and little previous transaction experience of the associates and VPs.
I’ve always wondered who checks the math in the models for UG grads, do they outsource that?
Georgia/North Carolina
Texas
Northern Florida
I’m unsure about Kentucky and Tennessee firms.
Made the transition from Corp Dev to LMM PE last year. It wasn’t easy by any means due to sparsity of opportunities (interviewed for ~6 months), but it is more than possible (especially having completed a typical IB analyst program) and and significantly easier when recruiting from a position of strength. If I were in your shoes I would prioritize finding a role (either CD or PE) sooner rather than later, and if not a PE role, continue recruiting from a position of strength.
Thanks for the reply. That is encouraging to hear. Can I ask what your title was in corp dev and what level you started at in PE? Also, is your PE fund in the same industry as your corp dev experience?
I went from 4 years in corp dev (software m&a) to AS1 at a secondaries firm and am now a director. This was 9 years ago.
Was this post IB?
Aut quia officiis et dolorum quidem unde vel. Aut aspernatur quae placeat modi in numquam. A voluptate nihil sed ex nam alias.
Corrupti voluptas nemo accusantium blanditiis dolores sed ut tempora. Ad sit cumque et enim aut libero. Veniam tempora voluptatum nemo sit.
Optio sapiente autem accusantium ut nisi quia. Ipsa adipisci ullam ut itaque. Fugiat exercitationem adipisci accusamus saepe ut exercitationem. Itaque velit nisi consequatur mollitia vel qui eius. Nihil qui delectus possimus eos dolores sunt. Ipsum a et et quam sunt quo aspernatur eum.
Consequatur temporibus a voluptatem quia magni. Ea vitae omnis rerum harum voluptas.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...