Thoughts on Working at Portfolio Companies?

Curious about experiences transitioning to portfolio company roles after PE

  • Comp seems comparable, decent bonuses and sweat equity instead of carry
  • WLB seems better overall, can see myself doing this for the next 10 - 20 years

How does one make the jump from PE to those senior C-suite roles? Would love to hear thoughts and advice from anyone who has made the transition. 

Thanks, chimps!

5 Comments
 

Pros:
-WLB definitely better

-Good exposure to M&A assume you’re doing a roll up

-Have equity in the business likely via an equity incentive plan

Cons:
-Comp is definitely not comparable to a traditional PE seat

-you could love your sponsor but if you get sold you might hate the next one

-hard to jump up to PE from portco level

 

Should be comparing to PE VP at that point assuming you jump to portco post-assoc. stint. From a risk adjusted standpoint you likely have less carry and 100% concentrated to 1 company vs. fund-wide diversification. Cash comp likely >$100k lower as well.

Not saying it's not a worthwhile trade from WLB and overall happiness standpoints, but think you're underweighting the difference in comp.  

 
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