Buy Side Recruitment

Unparalleled market knowledge

Our recruitment consultants have expertise across Canada’s buy side sectors including investments, asset management, private equity, insurance, and hedge funds. We provide insights such as compensation guides, surveys, and hiring trend analysis. With a clear understanding of the challenges in these sectors, we identify professionals with the skills and experience needed for success.

Tailored buy side recruitment strategies

Attracting talent is only the start. Keeping professionals engaged and ready to join as your business grows is key. With more than 20 years of experience in buy side recruitment, we build tailored strategies to identify top talent, develop long-term relationships, and keep your team positioned with the right professionals at the right time.

Global buy side network

Finding buy side talent that fits company culture can be challenging. Our network spans Canada’s financial centres such as Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal, while also connecting with global professionals. We leverage strong relationships with leading firms to identify candidates who align with both your role requirements and organisational goals.

Valued long-term partnerships

We do more than source talent. We focus on building partnerships that adapt to your organisation’s evolving needs. With continuous support and customised strategies, we help you access professionals with emerging buy side skills that drive performance and long-term success.

Selby Jennings partners with a diverse range of buy-side institutions globally, including but not limited to:

• Hedge Funds (Long/Short, Macro, Quant, Multi-Manager)
• Private Equity Firms (Growth, Buyout, Sector-Specific)
• Venture Capital Funds (Early-Stage to Growth)
• Asset Managers (Traditional, ESG, Thematic)
• Family Offices (Single & Multi-Family)
• Fund of Funds & OCIO Platforms
• Institutional Allocators (Pensions, Endowments)
• Direct Investment Teams at Sovereign Wealth Funds

…and many more specialized investment platforms across both alternative and traditional strategies.

Looking to grow your team?
Request a call back and speak with one of our specialist consultants today.

Selby Jennings partners with leading buy-side firms globally to deliver top-tier talent across investment, research, and distribution functions. Roles we typically support include, but are not limited to:

• Investment Analyst
• Research Analyst (Equity, Credit, Macro)
• Quantitative Analyst
• ESG Analyst
• Portfolio Analyst
• Trader (Execution / Systematic)
• Risk Analyst
• Data Analyst
• Client Services Associate
• Investor Relations Associate
• Product Analyst
• Capital Raising Associate

We connect high-performing professionals with hedge funds, private equity firms, asset managers, and family offices where performance and precision drive long-term success.

Selby Jennings offers various workforce solutions tailored to your specific objectives.

• Permanent hires - Our permanent search service, whether through contingent or retained buy side recruitment, helps you secure the professionals who can truly make an impact.
• Contract hires - Our extensive network of contractors and interim managers integrate seamlessly into companies to drive short term goals.
• Multi-hire projects - We take a consultative approach with our clients, managing the entire recruitment process from sourcing to hiring across the entire project.

We support hiring across front, middle and back office functions. This includes roles in investment analysis, portfolio management, trading, quant research and development, investor relations, operations, risk, compliance and data science.

Firms usually hire from investment banking, equity research, consulting, Big 4 transaction services or other funds. Most expect a strong academic track record. Technical skills like financial modelling, Python or SQL are increasingly valued, especially in quant and trading teams.

Processes vary by firm. Most include a resume screen, technical interviews, case studies or investment pitches, and final interviews with senior stakeholders. Hedge fund processes can take around two weeks. Private equity and venture capital hiring is more structured and often takes one to three months.

It is highly competitive. Teams are lean and hiring is selective. Candidates need top-tier credentials, clear investment thinking and strong cultural alignment. Firms prioritise relevant experience, technical execution and long-term commitment to the buy side.

Hiring is active in multi-strategy hedge funds, private credit, quant funds and secondaries. Base salaries remain stable. Bonuses vary significantly by performance. Carry is a key component in private markets. There is growing demand for candidates who combine investment, data and technical expertise.

Time to hire depends on the firm, role and seniority. Hedge funds tend to move quickly, often completing processes in two to four weeks. Private equity and asset management roles typically take longer, often four to twelve weeks. Senior hires or multi-stage processes can extend beyond that, especially when multiple decision-makers are involved.