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It depends on your motivations for leaving PE and what level associate you are. Corp Dev is typically not an exit for folks in PE and can be considered a step back. Burnt out bankers go to Corp dev for a better WLB and a job where their skills are directly transferable. High achieving bankers go to PE. If you leave PE, I think you might be saying goodbye to an investing career path. Again, think of the LT goal - VP Corp Dev —> CFO one day. Associate —> Partner.
From a comp perspective, the offer is legit and probably even on the upper end of what I’d expect but it makes sense as they’re targeting PE guys like you and need to make the comp attractive.
Coach
I’ve certainly thought about leaving but never pulled the trigger. Ultimately, the opportunity that would get me to take the leap would need to meet a handful of important criteria:
1) Intellectually stimulating work that I find interesting and challenging
2) A core team with people around me / above me that I respect, enjoy working with, and feel I can learn something from
3) An ability to have an impact / shape the direction of the work
4) Clear potential for long term career growth, likely as a direct result of momentum in the business
5) reasonable / “fair” compensation that allows me to live comfortably
The opportunities that have been most intriguing have been things that are similar to what you’re describing - Corp dev roles in companies where I believe wholeheartedly in the business case / investment thesis and where m&a is a core part of the go forward strategy (assuming the role is m&a focused)
I’d prob ask for 700-1m in equity as it’s currently valued. I work on the Corp Dev team at a saas unicorn and that’s pretty in line for what these folks are currently pegged at. If anything, it’s low. For me, my goal is to break into an tcv/altimeter/Alison/tiger cub crossover shop. I’ll have consulting, internship in growth equity, and saas Corp Dev experience.
I think for you this would be a cake walk
Coach
Thanks guys this is helpful. We have not discussed equity explicitly yet. In my head I would like to make >2m if we 2x the business - this is broadly what we would pay people at our portcos. Is that too aggressive? I have close 5 YOE - 3 consulting, 2 PE. What are exit ops from this role if company goes bust? Probably venture.
If you don’t mind me asking, curious what skills in PE do you think got you the offer?
It all depends on the equity package (e.g., percentage, but also time to next round, vesting, rights, etc...).
At first glance, it is in the ballpark for middle management at fintechs.
Source: got recently a couple offers myself + worked for a fintech unicorn in the past.
Wait how many YOE for the $700-$1mm request? The way I read it, he/she did 2-3 year in banking or consulting and 1 year in PE.
I don’t think YOE matter if he’s getting an offer for VP. I think anywhere from 500k+ is a pretty fair starting point for equity
Cash looks fine.. how much is the equity?
This is a really solid offer - I was 3 YOE (2 consulting, 1 PE) and only got offers of $225k max for Corp dev.
Overall I think your offer is strong. Is the role SF based? Also, make sure to understand the equity component and what the strike price vs. fair market value of the options would be. You said you want to get to $2M comp (I assume over 4 years?) if there’s a 2X but that would require a $300k comp to be $100k base / $200k equity split, which means $800k equity on a 4 year grant - seems high from my experience but I also recruited strictly for a tier 2 city.
Coach
Thanks. Yes SF based. To my understanding the 300k is cash comp with equity on top which is why it’s pretty attractive but good point on the split / FMV point. I’d like to dig into their base case - same stuff we do with our management teams.
Coach
Not sure. Think it was a combination of my industry experience from consulting with general understanding of transactions and what drives value from PE. Network also helps.