Industry Specific PE Comp - PE Experts Help Me Out!

I have been in conversations with an industry specific firm for about 6 months. The firm's structure smells like a private equity firm, yet they make venture-capital like deal structures in an established industry (and if that doesn't give away the industry...). I made this connection through a former classmate who use to work for what would be my future boss, both at a different firm.

It is shared knowledge that they are interested and intending to extend an offer for an experienced analyst position (I have 3 yrs. experience in the industry @ F500). No compensation numbers have been mentioned except for the fact that I'll have some profit interest (no disclosure on how much, though).

Job description is a front office deal team role. I'd be playing a large part in the investment committee as well as lead the operations once portfolio companies are brought in. The job is within the same city and I am in the midwest (ex. Chicago)

Questions for the group:

1. I'm not naive in thinking this is going to be street pay, in fact no where near. Given the market size of my city, plus the fact this is capital B boutique, I'm looking at this compensation as a big promotion from my current salary rather than a game changing break into PE shift. What is okay to go in with as a number? My current thinking is asking for $85k base, 10% bonus target, 3% merit increase. That would set the next 5 years of an average of $100k at year, non-withstanding if profit interest materialize. That being said...

2. What are good questions to know about profit sharing? Yes, I've read the tax reasons for offering this form of equity compensation online, but for those of you who have experience in this, what are the watch-outs for candidates?

Thanks guys, for those in corporate finance interesting in alt. career paths, I'd be happy to do an Q&A once this all settles and I'm in the new role.

3 Comments
 

Thanks for trying, I'm not into divulging too much, as I hope all can understand.

This would be my first job move since coming out of school, so I'm honestly a little under-educated on the etiquette of the negotiations...I'm assuming, based on your answer, that it is okay to ask for their number first?

Yes, it is a fund I'm joining.

 
Best Response

Tempore ducimus est iste aut est voluptatibus optio. Saepe est delectus atque quaerat vitae. Veniam ab voluptas perspiciatis.

Et unde a inventore qui. Praesentium quod minima vel. Et ut autem consequatur laudantium nisi explicabo quis. Totam nostrum facere illo consequatur asperiores et consequatur. Ut ratione pariatur sit quae labore. Non deserunt quae possimus eum tempore deserunt. Quia alias ea assumenda quis asperiores quia voluptatem. Fuga assumenda perferendis ratione praesentium voluptates minus harum.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Private Equity

  • The Riverside Company 99.6%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 99.2%
  • Blackstone Group 98.9%
  • Warburg Pincus 98.5%
  • Bain Capital 98.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Private Equity

  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 99.6%
  • The Riverside Company 99.2%
  • Ardian 98.9%
  • Blackstone Group 98.5%
  • Starwood Capital Group 98.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Private Equity

  • Bain Capital 99.6%
  • The Riverside Company 99.2%
  • Blackstone Group 98.9%
  • Starwood Capital Group 98.5%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 98.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Private Equity

  • Principal (9) $653
  • Director/MD (24) $547
  • Vice President (97) $363
  • 3rd+ Year Associate (104) $281
  • 2nd Year Associate (234) $272
  • 1st Year Associate (411) $229
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (33) $157
  • 2nd Year Analyst (95) $134
  • 1st Year Analyst (271) $124
  • Intern/Summer Associate (37) $80
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (351) $61
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
6
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
10
numi's picture
numi
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”