PE -> Startup in Operating Role?

Anyone here have experience / know about navigating recruiting to startups (VC-backed) for operating roles? Did MM banking and now a 1st year associate at a MM fund, went to a normal undergrad (UVA/UMich).

Have seen a bunch of people go to strategic finance or FP&A roles but want to make the direct move to ops, is that possible with no consulting experience?

6 Comments
 

Very doable. One of the alums at my school recently landed a VP of Operations role at a unicorn. Finished a well regarded LDP and was at the VP level at the firm. His direct report (Director of Ops) is a former private equity senior associate investor (typical 2 years IB / 2 year PE). I think the Head of Strategy at his company is a former PE investor too. A lot of fast growing corporates love hiring people with consulting / banking / private equity backgrounds. Strong at analyzing business problems and very technically sound.

 

Assumenda occaecati consequuntur commodi. Ut eius sit ut accusamus quasi et molestias quaerat. Occaecati perspiciatis repellat error quas rem ducimus. Eos laboriosam quisquam doloremque aliquid. Dicta corporis et aut et. Quia et est corrupti tempore.

Nihil quod mollitia culpa porro. Voluptas facilis error et sapiente. Nostrum officiis et eligendi magnam.

Esse cupiditate exercitationem vel sed et. Ea et nobis placeat quos tempore earum voluptatem blanditiis. Voluptas saepe quaerat facilis repellat. Voluptas itaque accusantium quae nisi doloribus nemo.

Career Advancement Opportunities

July 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

July 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

July 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

July 2026 Private Equity

  • Principal (9) $653
  • Director/MD (24) $547
  • Vice President (99) $363
  • 3rd+ Year Associate (104) $281
  • 2nd Year Associate (235) $272
  • 1st Year Associate (411) $229
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (33) $157
  • 2nd Year Analyst (97) $134
  • 1st Year Analyst (272) $124
  • Intern/Summer Associate (38) $81
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (355) $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
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
3
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
6
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
10
Jamoldo's picture
Jamoldo
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...”