PE Office Set Up?

Curious what everyone’s office layout is like. For example, at my fund (MM PE), associates have small interior (windowless) offices and VPs+ have exterior offices with windows. More senior folks have the better views and obviously corner offices. My friend’s other fund (LMM PE) has associates in a bullpen, VPs in interior offices, and Partners/Principals in exterior offices. I think this is similar to how mega fund offices are set up. What’s your office set up?

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Based on the most helpful WSO content, office setups in private equity firms can vary significantly depending on the size and culture of the firm. Here's a breakdown of common setups:

  1. Middle Market (MM) PE Firms:

    • Associates often have small, interior (windowless) offices.
    • VPs and above typically have exterior offices with windows.
    • Senior professionals, such as Partners, may have corner offices with the best views.
  2. Lower Middle Market (LMM) PE Firms:

    • Associates might work in a bullpen setup.
    • VPs are usually placed in interior offices.
    • Partners and Principals occupy exterior offices, often with better views.
  3. Mega Funds (MF):

    • Similar to LMM setups, associates are often in bullpen-style seating.
    • VPs and more senior roles transition to private offices, with seniority dictating the quality of the office (e.g., windows, views, or corner offices).

The hierarchy and office allocation often reflect the firm's structure and culture, with more seniority typically translating to better office spaces.

Sources: Family office Private Equity - help, Q&A: Big4 Consulting to Private Equity, now M7 MBA, Answering Why Private Equity - 9 Key Answers, How to tell the prestige of LMM or MM PE firms?, Pre-MBA Private Equity Associate

I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.
 
Funniest

Associates share a 12x12 foot closet with no windows, a single large ikea table, 1 ultrawide monitor, & 1 mouse to pass around. Principals+ each have their own floor with floor to ceiling windows and a lap pool.

 
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