Looking for small, middle-market direct lending shops

I am a Director in Short Term Credit Trading, MBA, with over 15 years of experience, including 2 in banking.  For a handful of reasons, I am looking to restart (I know this will be really hard) and begin a new career in direct lending or secondaries.  Through a ton of networking, I know that a) I will need to target a Senior Asc role (good by me), a temporary title demotion until I prove myself again.  Also, getting a seat with a prominent or large shop will likely not be a feasible entry.  So I come to you good friends and wizards of WSO to help me identify some targets or types of targets in the middle markets area or smaller PE shops where I may be better able to access senior guys/gals for training / quicker integration. I'm less concerned with prestige and title and more for being able to learn and deliver results for the new company/clients.   I am all for constructive feedback.  Just not, you're too old, or you have no chance.  Be kind if possible, but honest.  Been a long battle with myself!  And I thank my family for sticking by me!  And this forum is A+ quality so thanks to all of the contributors! 

6 Comments
 

Is there a list or good way to find out what are good recruiters at the Senior Associate level for Direct Lending roles?  This does NOT have to be for Tier 1 shops.  I would be a new entrant to the sector.

Thanks, hope everyone is well.

 

thanks for the help.  NYC is where we are located.  Specifically, the Morristown NJ area.

40 and a former director looking for a senior associate role on a vertical pivot has been brutal!  I think firms are afraid you come in and then leave or they assume we will ask for too much pay - which isn't a fair assumption.

But I never thought I'd leave business school - Lehigh or not (ha) and not even get in the door.  Head up, only way is forward.

 

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