I’m a first year Senior Associate ~4 YOE in SF. I have an opportunity to take a role in NYC (I like it more), a different industry (my current one is niche), with likely a bit of a bump in cash comp, but the caveat is I have to step back from senior associate to associate. Would I be dumb for doing so?
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meh money is money. the title less important imo.
Would you be coming in as an 2nd year associate? If so, I would probably do it - your added experience vs other 2nd years can help you make the jump to Sr Associate there in a year (not too hard of a jump, just need to learn the new industry and grind). If you're coming in as a 1st year associate, I personally wouldn't do it but that's just me.
Further to this ^ it can create friction to be too senior for your title if you are in a more rigid / hierarchical work environment. If the org structure is flatter then your title should have no bearing on whether you can play up
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