Calling all dealmakers

Don't look now, but firms are hiring dealmakers in Ireland's niche private equity sector.

Recruitment firm Career Compass is hiring for a junior private equity role in Ireland. But if you've got a proven track record, several recruiters also have roles at management level with firms such as Ion Equity.

"It's long hours and deal-driven, but a number of new companies in Dublin have moved into this area in the last 12 months," says Ronan Colleran, director of recruiters Accreate.

Many of the new entrants come from corporate advisory finance backgrounds and are either investing their own money or raising it and then hiring a team to manage it. "This means that the principals prefer candidates who've come through the Irish accountancy system," Colleran adds.

"Wealthy Irish property investors are diversifying their wealth into areas such as private equity, which is fuelling the need for sophisticated executives to manage a more diversified portfolio of assets," confirms Julianne Hatton, banking and financial services recruiter at Career Compass.

The current level of City bonuses means there are few applicants leaving London at the moment. Those that do are moving for personal reasons or quality of life, suggests Colleran.

"A newly qualified accountant can earn €60k to €65k plus 100% bonus and it goes up from there. Incentives include a possible equity interest in one of the deals you've helped to set up," he says.