Stepping Stone - Ideal role prior to Corp Dev/ Corp Strat?
I decided to transition this question over from the business School forum because I think it is just as relevant here, considering my ultimate goal is to break into a reputable company's Corporate Strategy or Corporate Development Team.
My question is which of the below two job offers should I take if my goal is:
in 2 years (if I can transition without an MBA) or 4 years (If I decide to go to a top MBA) I want to make my way into Corporate Strategy/ Corporate Development at an F500 firm or MBB Consulting
1.)
Title: Senior Financial Analyst - FP&A
Company: Top Tech Firm based in Seattle
Industry: Internet/Tech
Area of business: Cloud based business topping market share with stunning growth rates anticipated by the street.
role: likely more typical vanilla FP&A (forecasting without truly understanding much of the business, reporting the metrics to management on a monthly basis, a bit more on the systems/accounting side as well)
2.)
Title: Senior Strategy and Corporate Development Associate
Company: Smaller PE backed company looking to exit in 2-3 years (300-500M in Annual Revenue)
Industry: Retail/apparel
area of business: Corporate
role: far more responsibility than the FP&A role above, I will be formulating business cases, go-to market strategy, value propositions, merchandise mix decisions, far more interaction with CEO, COO, PE backers...
** Note that the Corp Dev portion of the job title is really just window dressing for now, they haven't ever actually acquired another company in their history**
my prior roles:
working in FP&A for five years, with an assortment of more system/accounting focused roles and analytical/strategic roles. This included a mid sized software company and a large well known hardware/tech company.
So considering the above, If I was to try start applying for positions in Corporate Strategy and/or Corporate Development in F500 TECH companies after this next role, which of the two roles situates me better to break in? what about a non-tech F500 company?
If I go to a top MBA program is it simple to switch from FP&A to Corp Dev/ Corp Strategy roles in Tech as long as I have some decent experience working in a Tech company? Or am I better suited in taking the right title and hopefully role in the wrong industry where the work I do will likely more closely align with what I would do in the Corporate Strategy (or MBB consulting) team in the future
Corp Dev in a tech company with no transaction experience is going to be a hard sell...there is a reason bankers fill these roles....you could do a rotational FDLP after your MBA.
Option 1 is likely better to get you into a top school...it's clearly Amazon...you will learn heaps.
Option 2 dude. Always shoot for a place where you will have the fewest layers between you and senior level.
You still have to bail the interview so I'd be working on my pitch about how FP&A experience makes you the perfect candidate to quickly sensitize whether acquisitions will be Accretive or not.
Option 2. You don't need any more FP&A experience.
Which MBA Internship? LT Goal = Corp Dev (Originally Posted: 02/17/2017)
Debating two MBA Internships, long term goal is Corp Dev:
Big 4 Firm in Valuation group. Develop financial statement analysis skills. Interact with a variety of companies and industries. Not sure if Corp Dev is realistic exit opp.
Big 3 US Airline FLDP. Opportunity exists to rotate through Corp Dev group - but far from a guarantee. If it happens will not be for 3-4 years, first two rotations pretty set. On the plus side I will have a better understanding of the business and will be identified as top talent within the program.
Appreciate any advice. If it matters my background is in FP&A. No CPA, CFA.
what tier MBA? I'd go for B4 valuation. The FLDP is an internship and no guarantee of full time job or even placement into corp dev. You may end up stuck in some crappy rotations for a few years and hate your life. I dont know much about big4 valuation, but sounds like you may be involved in M&A deals to some extent. This internship can possibly be parlayed into full time corp dev opportunity elsewhere as it gives you more relevant experience right away.
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