Secondaries culture/comps/hours

Currently thinking about a move to secondaries from IB, I’m familiar with the work and keen on the GP-led side. Just want to understand what are the culture/comps/hours like at top places like Glendower, HarbourVest, BX strategic partners, AIMS etc. Are the hours better than direct PE/IB?

Thank you!

25 Comments
 
Most Helpful

Since no one else seems to have provided much info yet, I can chime in with the little that I know/believe about the space and hope it helps:

Haven’t worked in it directly but have interviewed/met with and networked with people in the space

i understand there is a good amount of modeling/financial analysis involved in the work since the deals can have multiple assets/moving pieces that need to be underwritten

that said, I’m not sure if hours are too much like IB and maybe somewhat closer to like 9-7 or whatever with weekends maybe every now and then from what I gathered 

comp at least at the base salary level may  probably still be in line with banking (maybe less than the top, top banks) but you get the added bonus of much better WLB, potentially more interesting work since you are an investor, and hopefully a bit more predictability around when you may need to work or be on-call. 

just some info I gathered as an outsider so you can take it for what it is worth for now 

I hope that helps. Good luck 

 

Culpa sit libero iure mollitia officiis dolore nihil. Earum dicta inventore officia sit aut id qui. Cum id maxime quia atque beatae.

Sapiente incidunt ratione eius atque est incidunt enim. Consequatur quisquam dignissimos eum aperiam beatae. Ut quisquam et fugiat non ipsa eveniet perferendis. Illo alias illo neque aut voluptate. Aspernatur fugiat qui molestiae consequatur recusandae.

Tempore necessitatibus soluta labore. Quae adipisci illum voluptatem corporis adipisci.

 

Sapiente ipsam recusandae necessitatibus dolorem. Voluptate eum quos vitae corrupti fuga.

Ut unde consequatur optio exercitationem. Numquam ut ut quia ea qui et ab dolor.

Enim officia sed molestiae vero voluptas accusamus nostrum. Qui quos labore dignissimos ea. Possimus qui inventore doloremque repellat eius perspiciatis vero ad. Eaque recusandae error molestiae temporibus autem vitae. Consequatur quae dicta voluptatum omnis non distinctio. Nihil consequatur itaque vel ipsum voluptates in. Repellendus eius autem facilis nemo aliquid distinctio eos.

Career Advancement Opportunities

October 2026 Private Equity

  • Blackstone Group 99.6%
  • The Riverside Company 99.3%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 98.9%
  • Warburg Pincus 98.5%
  • Vista Equity Partners 98.2%

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%
  • Blackstone Group 99.3%
  • The Riverside Company 98.9%
  • Starwood Capital Group 98.5%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 98.2%

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 (236) $272
  • 1st Year Associate (414) $231
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (33) $157
  • 2nd Year Analyst (97) $134
  • 1st Year Analyst (273) $126
  • Intern/Summer Associate (40) $79
  • 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
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
6
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
7
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
dosk17's picture
dosk17
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...”