PSP Montreal

Hi all, i would please like some info / insights on PSP Investments in Montreal. It is re a associate position. Ideally info on work life balance (hours), culture, career progression, pay, anything else you think is relevant? Greatly appreciate your help and many thanks again in advance

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Pay: nothing like traditional / private PE, typical of Canadian pensions. Worse than B5 IB. I’d assume SA = ~$250-300K, manager = ~$400K(?). Others should opine here.

WLB: very good, relatively, hence the pay. I’d guess 40-60 hours a week, safe weekends, good vacation, a pension yourself if you stay for the long term

Progression: you will need to be francophone; won’t delve too deep but chief business office of PSP is in Montreal (as is the office you’re looking at). With the contentious nature between Quebec and the rest of Canada, good seats in Quebec go to les Quebecois. If you are though, you will be fine. I’m sure it’s political and mildly less merit based than traditional PE as it’s a pension fund, but can’t escape this anywhere.

 

Based on the most helpful WSO content, here's what you need to know about PSP Investments in Montreal for an associate position:

  1. Work-Life Balance (Hours):

    • Canadian pension funds, including PSP, are known for offering a better work-life balance compared to traditional private equity or investment banking roles. While hours can still be demanding, they are generally more manageable, with less weekend work and fewer late nights compared to other high-finance roles.
  2. Culture:

    • The culture at Canadian pension funds like PSP is often described as collaborative and professional. They are respected globally for their approach to investments and tend to foster a positive work environment. However, as with any large organization, there may be some internal politics, as noted in discussions about Canadian pension funds.
  3. Career Progression:

    • Career progression at PSP can be promising due to the growing headcount and internal mobility opportunities. Employees often have the chance to move between investment groups or even office locations. However, promotions may depend on the organization's structure and individual performance.
  4. Pay:

    • Compensation at PSP is competitive for the Canadian market but may be lower than private equity firms of similar size. For associates, salaries typically range from CAD 90,000 to CAD 110,000, with bonuses around 30-50%. While the pay might not match top-tier private equity firms, the trade-off is often a better work-life balance and a more stable environment.
  5. Reputation:

    • PSP Investments is highly regarded as one of the top Canadian pension funds, alongside CPPIB, OTPP, and CDPQ. It offers exposure to large global deals and a variety of asset classes, making it an excellent platform for building a strong investment career.
  6. Additional Insights:

    • PSP's infrastructure and private equity teams are particularly well-regarded. The organization is known for its focus on long-term investments and its ability to participate in significant global transactions. This provides associates with valuable experience and exposure to high-quality deals.

If you're considering this role, it seems like a solid opportunity, especially if you're looking for a balance between professional growth and personal life. Good luck!

Sources: Infrastructure at Canadian Pensions (PSP and CDPQ), anybody knows anything about PSP investments in Montreal ?, PSA: Consider Regional Boutiques. Good Comp + Lifestyle, What is Canada comp like?, Private Equity shops with the best work/life balance

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

For what its worth I've worked at a few different canadian pension, and PSP by far has had the best culture imo. Naturally it is pretty francophone, but myself and a few others I knew didnt speak a lick of french at all and got by just fine. However I agree with the other comment that as you get more senior you'd need to pick it up. Funny enough, the current CEO also didnt speak french when she joined and took french classes on the side after joining PSP lol, all that to say its not the end of the world. 

From what I recall I think the RE team worked ~60-70 hours a week

Have been out for a while now but I do recall that comp is a slight haircut to other pensions. Not sure if that still holds true. Unfortunately note sure about Associate comp, but If its helpful for reference, know that AN2 at a larger pension in Toronto (CPP/OTPP/OMERS) is ~160k all in (pre-multiplier). Perhaps someone can chime in if thats comparable to PSP. 

 

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