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On the surface, 2011 was not a good year for hedge funds. The vast majority of funds finished the year with negative performance and many experienced months with sharp drawdowns. With more than a few major global events moving markets, most funds found it extremely hard to perform within their mandated strategy.

As we have mentioned a few times in this monthly newsletter, recruiting for the hedge fund industry is seasonal. While there are active searches at all points in the year, certain times are busier than others, mostly because there are particular points in the year that are more appropriate for certain types of searches.

At Long Ridge Partners, we are not in the business of investing or predicting the markets; we are in the business of identifying, forecasting, and even reacting to economic trends that affect recruiting for both our clients and our candidates alike. In reality, market volatility over the past 4 months has had a negative impact on most sectors of the economy; many hedge funds have turned in subpar performance and many people employed by hedge funds are trying to validate their own functions. But what does that all mean for Recruiting?

The demand for hedge fund marketers has never been stronger at Long Ridge Partners. On a typical day, Marketing and Distribution searches account for 40% of our searches. This year, that number is approaching 70%, nearly double what we normally see. And it’s not just the large institutional hedge funds that are looking. This year we’ve seen the re-emergence of well-funded start ups that are seeking talent, as well as smaller funds that have been able to build impressive track records over the past several years.

Hedge fund industry hiring continues to show signs of strength amid the heat of summer. Nearly 300 new hedge funds were launched in the first quarter of 2011, assets under management tipped the $2 trillion mark, employment opportunities widened, and last but not least, two major league baseball teams, the Mets and the Los Angeles Dodgers, turned to hedge funds as possible saviors.

Investing in human capital is a critical component to building a successful hedge fund. If you hire the wrong person, the fund can easily end up spending three times the new hire’s annual salary, after factoring in expenses for recruiting, media exposure, training, termination and re-recruiting.

It’s spring time in Manhattan again. That means three things, it’s getting warmer, the grass is turning greener and it’s time for the annual “Long Ridge Partners Investment Banking Analyst Survey”. In addition to taking longer lunches, many Investment Banking Analysts are turning their thoughts to the future as they near the end of their … Continue reading >>>

After nearly two years of stagnation, hedge fund recruiting is definitively trending upwards. Total industry assets under management (AUM) levels are approaching their pre-2008 levels, and alternative investment managers are looking to substantively increase their staff. The employment picture has brightened across the board, with managers of emerging funds, blue chip hedge funds and funds … Continue reading >>>