How to break into Canadian pension funds?
Understand PE is hard to break into there (big 5 preference) but what other arms are there, how can you get in, how competitive is the process and what are some relevant experiences to do it.
All I'm aware of is that they have public equities and real estate arms. Any insights are appreciated
Found the Schulich kid
they have a credit arm as well
Probably just ask
Same as any other job: network, network, and network haha
Is there something like carry and co invest and the pensions?
Nope!
Not completely correct. They tend to offer shadow carry at ~ senior associate level and up
It's quite competitive to get into pension funds, largely because there is limited private equity/buy-side options in Toronto. Apart from the MM funds and like Onex, pension funds is what's left. Probably the most competitive/difficult teams to recruit for would be direct PE, since lots of people working at the Big Five in M&A groups are competing for a limited number of seats. Secondaries/credit is also the next most popular group for pension funds, less competitive but once again only a few spots. Infra (especially if you've worked in mining or oil and gas) is a good option, OMERS/CPP both have good infra teams. REPE top firms would be OMERS, given their acquisition of Oxford Properties and CPP/OTPP (but honestly, if you want to do REPE aim for Brookfield since they're pretty much known for that or Toronto's new BX office, which has a big RE focus).
Working at CPP/OMERS/OTPP should open more doors, especially if you want to move to the U.S. A few CPP people have transitioned to U.S. buy-side opportunities after a few years, also helps that they have a good NYC/London presence and have worked on some good deals like Petco. Would also recommend checking out Vlaad and Company, which recruits for Toronto firms.
Your best bet is to network with the specific team you're interested in or figure out if anyone in your current network already works there and would be willing to vouch for you.
Is the BX RE office even hiring?
Don't know myself. I know of a few people at principal level or above who have recently joined but not sure for juniors. Looks like they'll probably start hiring more as their Toronto presence grows.
I'd imagine that these days the systems used are card/HID based systems and not physical keys, so you probably can't get in with a regular lockpicking set. That being said, it opens to more vulnerabilities that over-rely on the electronic security system.
I'd first try to go into the lobby are when open and scope out security and surveillance to see what you're up against. you might even be lucky enough to get there during like lunch where you can nab a key-card off of the front desk or something. Outside of that, you can check for other entry points, such as receiving, ventilation, and rooftop, etc.
Biggest question though, is if you break in, what next? Because majority of the capital is stored in banks and other non-accessible places, and the information is basically on the cloud at this point. You'd go in, maybe take a couple of whatever health bar the kitchen stocks, and then what?
If I were you, I'd set my sights on breaking into some place that has small physical assets, such as cash, gold bars, etc. or information/legal docs. For a Canuck, I'd also try to scheme around the Global Strategic Maple Syrup Reserve because the prestige from getting a couple liters of that liquid gold would be worth more in your circles than the value of the sticky stuff itself.
Best post I’ve seen in the 15 years or so I’ve been lurking on this god forsaken message board
Teachers, CPP and OMERS all have analyst programs out of undergrad. CPP and OMERS are rotational programs in which you are an analyst for 3 different teams (8 months each). Teachers, you get placed into a group directly. All have Infra / Private Equity / Real Estate / Credit / Public Equities arms.
Think the best part about the 3 programs is the opportunity for permanent placement after 2 years
Sint optio saepe et quidem. Praesentium blanditiis ducimus neque numquam. Aut dolores excepturi asperiores nisi quam.
Laborum dolorem ipsam ab ea molestiae voluptas. Sint modi enim explicabo.
Enim aliquid numquam ut et. Dolores voluptas dolorem aspernatur qui asperiores dolor. Porro est hic temporibus.
Laborum natus quis quam sed minima totam. Officia excepturi modi unde temporibus. Et aut temporibus neque.
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...