Partners Group AG vs. Carlyle Group

I was lucky enough to be given FT offers at both of these firms.

I'm currently a senior and trying to decide which is the better option to pursue. The role at Carlyle is with their RE PE team. The role at Partners Group is a 3-year analyst program through PE, RE PE, and Infra. PE.

What is the reputation comparison between the firms? Compensation? People/Culuture?

I'm leaning towards Partners Group at the moment, but obviously passing up Carlyle is causing a massive hesitation, but I truly believe Partners Group is going to be better than Carlyle in a decade. Thanks.

22 Comments
 

Thanks for the response! Can I ask what your reasoning is? As clearly I stated my preference but want to hear arguments for both.

 

What happens at the end of the 3 year programme at Partners? Do you leave for a MBA or potentially make Associate? If you make Associate, do you move to Associate in the same team as your 3rd rotation, or do you state a preference and hopefully lateral to your preferred team?

I'd take Partners. Unless you are happy to spend your career in RE PE, the rotations in vanilla PE and Infrastructure PE offer extra optionality post Analyst programme.

 

Thanks for your thoughts. PG stressed internal mobility and likes to grow talent from within the firm (which explains why it started an analyst program for graduating seniors).

The idea is to get placed into one of the investment teams at an office location that is determined at some point throughout the program.

One concern is I am not aware of PG's reputation in America. They are enormous in Europe & Asia, but only recently started investing heavily in the Americas.

 

It would be predominantly with direct & primary investments. As would the CG role. PG has a major presence in secondaries too, and I'd get some exposure to that as well. They recently closed a $2B fund in February of 2017 dedicated to direct infra investments (or at least I think it's infra).

 

Is CG's a structured analyst program too? I've heard really great things about Partners Group's culture and work/life balance (at least as far as private equity is concerned). I would echo what @MidMarketMcLovin said, that unless you are positive you want to go into REPE the PG program seems like a great opportunity.

I am also European, so may be a little biased, thus take what I'm saying with a huge grain of salt. But PG's deal flow is really unrivaled, and they are super selective with their investments. Carlyle is a little better in the US currently though, but you would also be placing a bet about future performance, etc. on PG and its 'investment' in the Americas. Does one pay more than the other? I feel like a lot of MF firms pay under market when they have a very structured analyst program (because of the inherent value in the experience).

 

I'd chose Carlyle if it's mainly direct deals. Carlyle obviously has a better reputation. Any preference on location? That matters more than you think

 

Disagree- been doing PE coverage at an EB for 3 years now— PG has been growing incredibly fast over the years and has rapidly expanded their direct private equity business and US presence. wouldn’t be surprised if they are competing with US MFs in the next 5-10 years, as they currently are in Europe.

 

Does anyone have information about Carlyle European Technology Partners? Recently closed a EU1.35bn fund investing in Tech companies both minority and buyout. Thanks!

 

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