Overview
Introduction
Moelis is a top investment bank that offers strategic advice to clients across the world. Founded and still led by superstar banker Ken Moelis, the firm is committed to creating an inclusive culture and a workforce that’s representative of its diverse range of clients. The firm has networking groups for Asian, Black, Latino and Hispanic, women, LGBTQ+, and veteran employees. It also has a growing CSR program that supports more than 40 nonprofits.
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Vault Verdict
Moelis & Company is ideally looking for intellectually curious, well-rounded, persistent, intelligent self-starters with strong problem-solving skills, strong social skills, and a track record of excellence. The firm runs a valuable internship program for students, providing interns with a significant level of responsibility on a wide variety of live transactions. Interns have access to senior bankers who are willing to help as well as access to clients (some interns report getting to travel to client meetings). Meanwhile, Moelis’ full-time junior bankers have access to numerous career development opportunities, including excellent formal and on-the-job training, tons of live deal experience on a wide variety of transactions, the ability to move to other groups (including ...
About the Company
Moelis & Company provides strategic advice and solutions to a diverse global client base, including corporations, institutions, governments and financial sponsors. Headquartered in New York, the firm operates across 23 locations in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Australia.
The firm went public in April 2014 and currently employs approximately 1,200 people worldwide. Since its founding, Moelis & Company has advised on more than $4 trillion of transactions. The firm is led by founder and namesake Ken Moelis, an industry veteran with over 40 years of deal-making experience. Ken rose to fame in the early 1980s, while working at Drexel Burnam Lambert and later joining Donald Lufkin & Jenrette Securities (DLJ). After a successful career at DLJ, Ken moved to UBS in 2000, where he recruited several...
Employee Reviews
“The firm has grown large enough that there isn't an all-encompassing culture with respect to quality of life. Such matters are group-specific. My group has excellent quality of life, starting at the top with senior bankers who are respectful of major personal obligations and a degree of reciprocity amongst juniors and mid-levels. On the whole, Moelis tries to promote better quality of life through things like protected weekends, but the firm has an inherited culture of ‘sweatiness’ that sometimes rules the day (not that it is the fault of your team per se, but rather of demanding clients).”
“If you believe everything you read, you would call Moelis a sweat shop. In fact, it's no more demanding of your personal time than any other banking jobs. I often think the 'sweat shop' designation is really a proxy for the attention to detail that the firm demands, but once you learn what those expectations are and how they translate into the client facing work that you're involved in, it becomes much more manageable. Also, the firm does a great job at offering vacation time and granting personal time requests. They care about us as people which is a huge benefit in my opinion. Alongside that, they do a great job of organizing group/team-building outings and activities. It is a lot of hard work, but the rewards are a great incentive to work a long day.”
“Very team dependent on which MDs value protected time or efficiency of work. I have found the general consensus across the bank is when there is something to do it is all-hands on deck, no vacation/sleep, etc. However, we don’t have a face time culture, so if things slow down you are free to enjoy. Some teams are great with limited weekend work unless necessary, and others aren’t.”
“The downside of being on a lot of deals is that it can be hard to maintain good work/life balance, particularly if you are married or have children. It's difficult to plan Saturday day events given the uncertainty of the job which can be frustrating. That said, when I'm on vacation, my deal teams have done an excellent job in letting me unplug and not bothering me unless crucial. I pay it forward by doing my best to cover for my teammates when they take time off.”
Getting Hired Here
“Our interview process for post-MBA associates is logical and straightforward: coffee chat(s), an initial screener, a technical round, and then a Superday. Priority candidates typically hear back quickly, as we understand they are competing in the market for IB offers. Our ideal candidates are quick thinkers and curious and conversational people capable of balancing the intellectual and social demands (e.g., handling casual client interactions) of an investment banker.”
“Very typical. Meeting with the team, then vetted by more senior leadership. I think ideal candidates are resourceful, persistent, intelligent, likable, and enjoy being challenged in order to grow their professional skill set and career.”
“Well-defined interview timeline. Seeking candidates who understand and appreciate the Moelis approach to holistic client advisory services and desire to work on this specific platform vs. peer firms. The ideal candidate is intellectually curious, well-rounded with interests that extend beyond investment banking, and has demonstrated excellence in past pursuits.”
“The ideal candidate is a self-starter with strong problem-solving skills willing to analyze issues and state opinions even if those opinions are not what clients want to hear.”
Perks & Benefits