PCA VP in IB or PC VP
Currently a VP in PC making ~$500K working 60-70 hours and doing a lot of the underwriting myself given team dynamics.
Is it crazy to consider taking a PCA VP role that would be more $700K if i am already working a decent amount?
Jumping straight into it—based on the most helpful WSO content, here's what you need to weigh:
Compensation Increase: Moving from $500K to $700K is a significant jump, especially if you're already accustomed to the workload. However, consider the structure of the comp—how much is base vs. bonus? PCA roles often have higher variability in bonus payouts, so ensure you're comfortable with that risk.
Hours and Workload: You're already clocking 60-70 hours and handling underwriting yourself. PCA VP roles in IB could demand similar or even more hours, especially during deal-heavy periods. If you're already stretched, this could push you further, so assess your capacity for additional stress.
Career Trajectory: PCA VP roles often come with more visibility and opportunities for upward mobility, especially if you're aiming for MD or higher. If long-term career growth is a priority, this could be a compelling reason to switch.
Team Dynamics: If your current role involves heavy lifting due to team inefficiencies, a PCA VP role might offer a more structured environment with better support. However, IB teams can also have their own challenges, so research the specific firm and team culture.
Lifestyle Considerations: If you're already working a "decent amount," the additional comp might not justify the potential increase in hours and stress unless you have a clear financial or career goal driving the decision.
Ultimately, it's not crazy to consider the PCA VP role, but make sure the additional compensation aligns with your personal and professional priorities. If you're comfortable with the hours and see long-term benefits, it could be worth the leap. If not, staying put might be the better move.
Sources: From Private Equity Associate to VP in Private Equity, What's Your Five Year (IBD) Plan? A VP Reflects and Looks Forward., Downsides of PE VP Roles, Q&A: F500 Director of FP&A, Leave PE for Corp Dev VP role?
Answer to that question hinges on your career objectives and the type of PCA role you’re describing. All else equal, PC probably gives you more career optionality, but as you enter your VP years you need to become more deliberate around your skillset as it is much harder to pivot as you know.
PCA is incredibly broad and can range from being a private placement agency which is more project management/fundraising adjacent, to a GP-led secondaries advisor which draws more similarities to a sell-side m&a role. Need more information on both your own career ambitions and the prospective PCA role to opine further.
DMD you
Nevermind DM didn’t work. The PCA role is essentially more complex private credit deal placement compared to vanilla private credit lending. Staying in private credit the goal is to get to originations, but that is harder to do so feels like earnings are capped at sub 1mm long term
PCA - it's deal by deal placement or funds? That sounds like debt advisory rather than a placement agent in that case
Recommend staying in private credit. You do not develop real skills in pca and will probably regret it. Which bank? 700k seems high.
Pray tell, what "real skills" are you developing elsewhere that you're not developing in PCA?
I don’t work in PCA but this is such a retarded take. Every job requires a skillset otherwise it wouldn’t exist. Do private placement agents in PCA build financial models like a GP-led focused advisory team would? No of course not but these roles have strong relationship development and a pulse on the market/funds which help drive deal flow at a bank if a bake-off arises on CVs. Go touch grass kid
This would be for a VP3 role for a MM/EB that has a strong debt advisory practice. PCA was more so me being general, but think more mini M&A processes rather than PCA.
Bump
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