Recently Joined a Local Developer (Canada)

I have about 7ish YOE previously worked at an institutional REIT however given then layoffs that took place last year I did a bit of consulting.
 

Just recently this year I secured a director of investments role at a developer. It’s a small family office that pays fairly well. However it’s not as sophisticated when it comes to decision making and investment decisions.

Will it be possible for me to transition back to a institutional investments role?

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10 Comments
 

Based on previous WSO threads, transitioning back to an institutional investments role is definitely possible, especially given your background and experience. Here are some key points to consider:

  1. Crafting Your Story:

    • Emphasize your experience at the institutional REIT and the skills you developed there.
    • Highlight the consulting work you did during the layoffs, showcasing your adaptability and continued engagement in the industry.
    • Frame your current role at the family office as a strategic move to gain diverse experience, but stress your desire to return to a more sophisticated investment environment.
  2. Addressing Potential Concerns:

    • Be prepared to explain why you left the institutional role and why you want to return. Address any concerns about stability and commitment.
    • Highlight any achievements or improvements you've made in your current role that demonstrate your capability and readiness for a more complex environment.
  3. Networking and Positioning:

    • Leverage your network from your previous institutional role. Reach out to former colleagues and industry contacts to let them know you're interested in transitioning back.
    • Consider roles that align closely with your previous experience but also allow you to leverage the new skills and perspectives you've gained.
  4. Targeting the Right Roles:

    • Look for positions that value your combination of institutional and family office experience. Roles in investment management, asset management, or even business development could be a good fit.
    • Be open to roles that might not be a direct step back but could serve as a bridge, such as positions in smaller but growing institutional firms.
  5. Additional Considerations:

    • If you're finding it challenging to make the transition, consider further education or certifications that could bolster your resume and make you more attractive to institutional employers.
    • Stay active in industry forums and groups to keep your knowledge current and to stay visible to potential employers.

By strategically positioning your experience and addressing any potential concerns head-on, you can make a compelling case for your return to an institutional investments role.

Sources: Direct Invest to FoF/Co-Invest?, Switching from Big 4 to Acquisitions: My Story, Getting Your Foot in the Door in Development, Move from Accounting to Real Estate - is it possible?, Dream Jobs in CRE

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

Aren’t you a director and is responsible for the decision making?

If the place pays well and decisions can be made quickly / back of napkin, sounds like a dream to me.

I think what you’re really trying to say is that you want more prestige and brand name.

 

That doesn't mean it's not sophisticated - exponential growth of AUM may not be their goal. There are plenty of non-institutional shops that are happy to buy a couple deals a year and slowly increase their holdings because they like their existing size and the space they play in and don't want to deal with the problems/hurdles that come with running a bigger org.

You're actually in a position where you can add a layer of sophistication to the shop which can be a huge value add. What you need to figure out is if your definition of "sophistication" is actually sophistication, or if it is what typical institutions do in the name of being "sophisticated" that really adds almost no value and just bogs down processes with additional paperwork, boxes to check/red tape, and reporting.

 

I made a similar leap a while back. Personally, I love having made the switch and don't think I could go back to the institutional world. However, I think if I did I would be much much better at that job. I think when you are at a larger institution, you are really focused on capital allocation, legal, financial terms, etc. That's all very important obviously, but I really didn't appreciate how disconnected I was from the actual real estate until I made the jump. I guess it would take me some time to get back into the swing of things, but I would have a frame of reference that most people at an institutional shop just don't have. 

 
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