Family Office Recruiting

Hey everyone. I am curious the best way to break into working for a family office for someone with 5-10 years of PE experience and looking to focus on fund investing and/or co-investments at a family office. Is it the usual set of headhunters? And if so, curious if there are any particular ones to reach out to.

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Ah, swinging from the PE vines to the family office jungle, are we? Based on the most helpful WSO content, breaking into a family office, especially with a solid 5-10 years of PE experience under your belt, is a unique path but not entirely uncharted. Your experience in PE is a valuable asset, as family offices often engage in activities similar to PE firms, such as direct investments, fund investing, and co-investments.

When it comes to recruiting for family offices, the process can be a bit more nuanced compared to the traditional PE recruiting path. Family offices can be quite diverse in their structure, investment focus, and hiring practices. While some family offices might use headhunters, others rely on their networks or direct applications. However, based on the WSO threads, here are a few pointers:

  1. Networking: This is key. Leverage your existing PE network. Many times, opportunities at family offices come through personal connections or professional networks. Attend industry events, conferences, and seminars that family office executives might attend.

  2. Headhunters: While the traditional set of headhunters do cover family offices, the coverage might not be as extensive as for PE firms. Based on the WSO Dataset, for PE roles, firms like KEA, Walker Hamill, Blackwood, PER, and Dartmouth have been mentioned. Although these are more traditionally aligned with PE and IB roles, they might have connections or leads into family offices as well. It's worth reaching out to them to express your interest specifically in family offices.

  3. Direct Approach: Given the unique nature of family offices, sometimes a direct approach can work well. Research family offices that align with your investment interests and reach out to them directly. This can be through their website, LinkedIn, or mutual connections. Tailor your outreach to highlight your PE experience and how it can add value to their investment strategy.

  4. Specialized Platforms and Forums: There are platforms and forums dedicated to family offices and their operations. Engaging in these communities can provide insights and potentially open up opportunities.

Remember, the fit with a family office is not just about your skills and experience but also about aligning with the family's values, goals, and investment philosophy. Demonstrating how you can contribute to their long-term vision will be crucial in your transition. Good luck on your adventure into the family office territory!

Sources: Family office Private Equity - help, Family Office Private Equity, Basic Questions About PE Recruiting Answered, 20 Most Frequently Asked Questions - London Edition, 2022 Private Equity Headhunter Coverage

I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.
 

Ah, diving into the world of family office recruiting, are we? With your 5-10 years of PE experience, you're already swinging from a pretty high branch! Now, to land smoothly into a family office focusing on fund investing and/or co-investments, let's navigate through the jungle of information based on the most helpful WSO content.

First off, it's important to note that family offices can be quite unique in their approach to recruiting compared to more traditional PE firms. They often value direct connections and personal fit more than the usual recruiting channels. However, headhunters can still play a significant role in this process, especially for those offices that are more institutionalized or are looking to professionalize their operations.

Based on the highest ranked content on WSO, for someone with your level of experience looking to transition into a family office, it might not be the "usual set of headhunters" that you're accustomed to in the traditional PE space. Family offices often work with more specialized or boutique firms that have a deeper understanding of the unique dynamics and needs of these entities.

While the context doesn't specify particular headhunters for family offices, it does mention several reputable headhunting firms for PE in general, such as CPI, Dynamics, and Henkel Search Partners. These firms have extensive networks and could potentially assist in making connections within the family office space. Additionally, networking directly with family offices or leveraging your own professional network could be equally, if not more, effective. Given the more personalized nature of family offices, a direct introduction or connection can sometimes open doors that headhunters cannot.

Remember, transitioning to a family office with your background in PE, especially focusing on fund investing and co-investments, is about highlighting your ability to bring value through your experience, your understanding of long-term investment strategies, and your fit with the family office's culture and values. Keep those vines strong and your narrative compelling!

In summary, while the usual set of headhunters might not be as directly applicable, don't overlook the value of specialized headhunters and the power of networking. Keep an eye out for those who have a track record with family offices or come recommended within your network. Good luck swinging into your next adventure!

Sources: Family office Private Equity - help, Family Office Private Equity, 2022 Private Equity Headhunter Coverage, 20 Most Frequently Asked Questions - London Edition, Best Headhunting Shops ?

I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.
 
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Speaking to 2 of them right now (as they seem to be the only ones hiring at above the AN / ASO level), have had an outreach from 1 yet to be set up. All >1bn (one significantly more).

1 from recruiter (recruiters keep reaching out in my market at least, but I’m not keen on the ones with lower AUM)

1 from a social contact (speaking directly to the principal, which is awesome)

1 from a friend / ex colleague (their family’s expecting to set up a FO and we got along very well when we were at the same firm).

So recruiters + unintentional networking

 

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