Investment Management Operations Compensation Survey

Employment & Recruitment Intelligence:

Three quarters of buy side professionals thinking of moving jobs

"The fact that three quarters of operations professionals are thinking about getting a new job and that more than a third are actively looking now, means we could see significant movement in the first half of 2012."

Chad Lawson, Manager, Investment Management Operations

Ahead of this year-end we surveyed 307 professionals working within operations across the buy-side and our results show that confidence remains relatively high. 92% expect a bonus and 64% think this will be more than 10% of their salary.  With most considering a career move it’s interesting to see that career progression is the main motivator for moving - comparatively few are seeking a change due to compensation structure or greater job stability.

When compared with operations professionals in investment banking we’re seeing that buy-side workers are even more confident – 81% expect a pay rise compared to 76% working in an investment bank. For help and advice setting bonus and salary levels talk to Chad Lawson on + 44 (0) 20 7509 8242.

Results at a Glance

• 80% expect a pay rise this year
  
• 63% expect this pay rise to be between 1-6% of salary
  
• 92% expect a bonus
  
• 64% expect this bonus to be 11% of their salaries or more
  
• 76% of professionals are thinking about moving jobs post bonus
  
• 55% say career progression is their main reason for seeking a new buy side job
  

About the survey
Our Financial Services Recruitment Intelligence Survey 2011, conducted in September 2011, asked exactly 1600 respondents working in the operations, finance, risk and compliance functions of banks and financial services firms about pay and bonus expectations ahead of year-end. The respondents included 261 finance professionals currently working within investment management firms.