Seeking advice - Leaving an investing role (PE/Direct Lending) for non-Investment Role

I'm 6 years into my finance career (direct lending at a large name shop).

I have recently been thinking of a career change (open to both within finance and outside of finance) because I really don't enjoy the investing side of things (don't really care for the models, decks, DD and worst of all office politics / heiarchy / toxic culture). In addition, I enjoy more people interaction / presenting, but I don't really get that in my role (and yes you can get more as you become more senior, but at the end it is still a diligence role). I also recognize that I'm in a privileged spot / there are shops with better culture / not a one shoe fits all situation, but I've also moved around and thought through my experience and I am almost certain I don't like the nature of what I do.

Have been thinking about roles that have more client interaction / presentation, and was looking into potential private placement (more fundraising / roadshow, so effectively sales with light DD). Still doing research but one of my concern is how to balance what I like v. comp. If I move into a role like this, my guess is that the rest of my career will likely still revolve around investing but it will be tough to come back to a pure investing role. As such, any advice around 1) comp at a private placement / sales role (not just at associate/VP level but later into MD as well), 2) exit opps, 3) life style, 4) anyone who's left investing for a non-investing role who can give advice / comments on your experience / thoughts and 5) any other pros / cons around this would be super helpful.


Thank you very much in advance!


 

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