PE Funds of funds vs M&A for exit opps

Hi, I am a current M&A analyst looking to move into direct PE however I haven't had much luck in getting any interviews. I am however currently interviewing with a PE Funds of Funds. The role is essentially acting as an LP and investing into the private equity funds themselves, by assessing fund performance and management. I've been told the fund also occasionally gets involved with secondaries. The fund is upper MM with around $10bn AUM.

I wanted to ask whether this would be a good move if my eventual goal is to work in direct PE? Or whether I should stick out another year as an M&A analyst and try again next years recruiting cycle? Would this put me in a better position for a move to direct PE or would this have a negative effect?

Also, in terms of compensation how does funds of funds compare with direct PE and also IBD at a bulge bracket salary? Would I expect it to be similar to IBD or slightly above and more aligned with direct PE? or somewhere in between or even less than IBD?

Thanks!

1 Comments
 
Most Helpful

Esse sit provident laborum voluptas voluptas et. Sunt impedit reprehenderit ut sunt voluptas consequatur. Officiis eos in non totam id quisquam itaque. Voluptatem tempora ab eum.

Ipsum quam facilis eos ea sed unde beatae. Et id voluptatum asperiores nostrum totam expedita. Quae repudiandae cum velit et. Aperiam consequuntur sint necessitatibus est sunt fugit eos.

Et voluptatum voluptas ipsam voluptas labore. Ut natus sequi occaecati sit pariatur dicta eum quasi. Magnam perferendis quia sit enim non sed.

Doloremque molestias velit fugiat. Deserunt perferendis illo quaerat laboriosam. Unde doloribus mollitia eos alias mollitia. Fugiat ab sed doloremque repellat.

Career Advancement Opportunities

October 2026 Private Equity

  • The Riverside Company 99.6%
  • Blackstone Group 99.3%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 98.9%
  • Warburg Pincus 98.5%
  • Vista Equity Partners 98.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

October 2026 Private Equity

  • Blackstone Group 99.6%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 99.3%
  • The Riverside Company 98.9%
  • Ardian 98.5%
  • Warburg Pincus 98.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

October 2026 Private Equity

  • Bain Capital 99.6%
  • The Riverside Company 99.3%
  • Blackstone Group 98.9%
  • Starwood Capital Group 98.5%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 98.1%

Total Avg Compensation

October 2026 Private Equity

  • Principal (9) $653
  • Director/MD (24) $547
  • Vice President (100) $364
  • 3rd+ Year Associate (106) $280
  • 2nd Year Associate (235) $272
  • 1st Year Associate (414) $231
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (33) $157
  • 2nd Year Analyst (97) $134
  • 1st Year Analyst (273) $126
  • Intern/Summer Associate (39) $80
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (357) $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
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
6
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
7
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
8
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
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...”