Why Corp Dev?

Why do so many post-mba and former IB/PE people go into corp dev? I understand the lifestyle is a lot better but still - from what I've read you're making about as much as a 1st year analyst. As I've come across many times on LinkedIn creeping, why go from a mega fund to a F500 role making literally 50% as much?

 

I went from mid market M&A to corporate M&A (associate role). Now, some years later, I am Head M&A of the same company, a multi billion enterprise.

Obviously took quite a hit, pay wise. Nonetheless, best decision I have ever made in my professional life.

 

I have worked in corporate development at a fortune 500 company for 2 years now (though I will soon be moving over to IB). Our team has no bankers on it. Instead, the head of our department prefers either industry knowledge (this is Pharma, so there is a ton of industry specific knowledge that you have to understand) or rigorous accounting background.

His opinion is that banking is more about just doing deals fast (and frankly, the junior people aren't the ones actually doing the deals) where as CD is about making strategic, Accretive acquisitions for the company. Therefore, I'd say you have a chance depending on your industry and the exact nature of what you do.

It also obviously helps to know someone. This is especially true since most CD departments are no more than 5-10 people and there may only be 1 spot for someone just getting into it. If you do the math, you'll realize that this is a fairly difficult thing to get into because there just aren't that many jobs out there in it. Your best bet is to try to meet someone in it in your own company and move internally.

 

Interested in this as well. Heard that a lot of FIG bankers fill in the more senior spots in these groups. The question however is, would it also be interesting at the analyst level? Any insight would be much appreciated

 

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