A day in the life of a woman in Private Equity (Large-cap)

At Dartmouth Partners, our Investor Relations and Distribution team specialises in helping individuals secure their first IR role, as well as assisting experienced professionals in making exciting career moves.

We’re also committed to driving positive change in the Private Equity sector by promoting gender balance and offering deeper insights into careers within private equity.

A key area of our work is supporting Investment Banking Analysts in transitioning into their first Investor Relations role. I recently reconnected with one of our successfully placed female candidates who made this move, to share more about their experience and insights on the transition.

Investment Banking to Investor Relations

Associate, IR - Large-cap Private Equity Firm

1. What motivated you to move into IR?

When thinking about the next step in my career, Investor Relations stood out to me because many of the responsibilities were reflective of what I enjoyed most in previous roles. When I worked in banking, I enjoyed working on pitches – I liked thinking creatively about how best to market the firm, getting to know the client and their needs, and crafting an engaging story to encourage them to work with us. I enjoy building relationships with people, which is an important element of working in IR because you’re not only engaging daily with investors, but also collaborating with the people on your team and across all departments within the firm. I also liked how technical skills and data analysis are still an integral part of the role in addition to the more qualitative aspects.

2. What would you say is the most important skill to have in this role?

I would say organisational skills are the most important. On any given day, you’re working on multiple workstreams at a time and coordinating with many different people internally to gather the information you need to create outputs for investors. It’s important to make sure nothing falls through the cracks, so it’s essential to stay organised by tracking your workstreams, prioritising tasks and managing your time strategically.

3. What does a typical day look like?

09:00 – Get to the office and review emails.

09:30 – 12:00 – Work on projects or LP requests.

12:00 – Have lunch with colleagues.

13:00 – 17:00 – Typically this is where most of my calls and meetings take place. This can include catch-ups with colleagues on workstreams we’re working on together, team calls to discuss our progress and priorities for the week, or meetings with LPs to introduce them to our firm or update them on their holdings.

17:00 – 19:00 – Continue working on projects or LP requests and address any tasks that have arisen from the meetings throughout the day.

19:30 onwards – Leave the office. Over the course of the evening, I might continue working on projects or monitor my emails in case anything comes in from our US colleagues.

4. What is your favourite part of the job?

Having only recently entered the world of IR, I’m still building my knowledge about the industry and the role, which brings a fresh and exciting challenge every day. I’m really enjoying the opportunity to expand my skillset and I feel motivated to learn everything there is to know about my firm.

5. What is your favourite thing about working for your employer?

I really like my team – as a new joiner, everyone has made the effort to make me feel welcome and is always open to answer the many questions I have. It’s a really positive and collaborative working environment.

6. What is one piece of advice you would give to someone looking at getting into IR?

Try to learn as much as you can about the broader industry. Keep up to date with news (both within the industry and on a macro level), read industry reports and talk to people who work in the industry.

7. Is it what you expected it to be?

Yes, it has been great so far and I’m excited to see what lies ahead.

If you are thinking about making the move yourself, join us on October 3rd 2024, for an exclusive Women in Private Equity event focused on the Large-Cap Private Equity space. You'll have the chance to hear from top industry professionals from leading large-cap firms, sharing invaluable insights to help you navigate and advance your career in Private Equity.

These events offer a rare opportunity to gain firsthand advice from successful women in the industry, expand your professional network, and access the support necessary to thrive in this competitive field.

Our Women in Private Equity series has already empowered hundreds of young female professionals by providing them with the knowledge, connections, and inspiration they need to succeed. Don’t miss out - register here!