ask them to include free MBA degree as part of total comp 
I work at a foundation in NYC. You should look for their form 990 (I think that’s what it’s called), they have to disclose salary for top earners each fiscal year. For an analyst with not much experience, I’d say 50-60k makes sense. As for hours, they’re usually not bad but don’t come in expecting 8-4 everyday. That being said, weekends are virtually unheard of, benefits are great, lots of time off. The salary will depend on how the assets are managed. At Harvard, they manage a lot of their own money internally and so comp is a lot higher for some of the analysts and PMs there. But most foundations/endowments have external managers manage most, if not all, of their funds. Be prepared for a lot of legal doc review and things that are not necessarily investment related.
I work for a university endowment. Most endowments do not hire internal investment staff until around $500 mil AUM; positions at smaller than that are usually investment administration/reporting/accounting. Salaries in the 30’s are either those kinds of jobs or very entry-level analyst. Analyst salaries can range 40’s to low 100’s depending on experience, CFA/MBA, etc. CIO’s at largest endowments make seven figures total comp. Experienced inv pro’s in between analyst and CIO typically can make 100-300. Nature of work can vary depending on whether investment process is staff-driven (largest endowments) or driven by a consultant or by the board/investment committee (smallest endowments). At the latter work may be more along lines of performance reporting, document review, etc. At staff-driven work will be primarily strategy, asset allocation, and manager due diligence. Almost all endowments use external managers to buy/sell individual security positions. Pay is usually better than public pensions (except maybe very largest, like CalPERS), but does not compete with private sector. Hours are more like private sector buy-side IM than IB work. This is a competitive environment so do not expect to succeed if you want to punch the clock 9-5. Vacation usually very good (4-5 wks) and free tuition is often available depending on the institution. Job security is pretty good as long as you perform.
I work for a university endowment. Most endowments do not hire internal investment staff until around $500 mil AUM; positions at smaller than that are usually investment administration/reporting/accounting. Salaries in the 30’s are either those kinds of jobs or very entry-level analyst. Analyst salaries can range 40’s to low 100’s depending on experience, CFA/MBA, etc. CIO’s at largest endowments make seven figures total comp. Experienced inv pro’s in between analyst and CIO typically can make 100-300. Nature of work can vary depending on whether investment process is staff-driven (largest endowments) or driven by a consultant or by the board/investment committee (smallest endowments). At the latter work may be more along lines of performance reporting, document review, etc. At staff-driven work will be primarily strategy, asset allocation, and manager due diligence. Almost all endowments use external managers to buy/sell individual security positions. Pay is usually better than public pensions (except maybe very largest, like CalPERS), but does not compete with private sector. Hours are more like private sector buy-side IM than IB work. This is a competitive environment so do not expect to succeed if you want to punch the clock 9-5. Vacation usually very good (4-5 wks) and free tuition is often available depending on the institution. Job security is pretty good as long as you perform.
Thanks, this is certainly an investment role, not administrative. Tuition is indeed free and the salary actually seems to be relatively competitive for a second tier pay city. One thing I am not a big fan of right now is constant hand holding and marketing demands, so I wonder how much you need to answer questions from trustees and endowment donors? At any rate, I suppose the sheer number of “clients” requiring info would be less than in the private sector. Thanks everyone for the info on here, I got to the finals (all ‘fit’) in the interview process. The process has been complicated by some external factors, so we will see how things go. Regardless, happy to be employed where I am for now.
nice work, keep us updated. Wouldnt worry much about hand holding, you will likely have quarterly or semiannual meetings with trustees/committee on things, but that is not that big of a deal in my mind to review the portfolio and talk about whats up. So far sounds good.
Congrats, eureka, and good luck. How much of the job involves interaction with trustees and donors can vary by organization – this is a good thing to make sure you understand up front via the interview process. If you are the top or only investment professional, developing good relationships with your trustees will be really important; if there is someone above you who’s primarily responsible for that your contact will be more sporadic. Donor contact is usually occasional vs frequent, esp. if there is an adequate fundraising/donor relations staff to handle that piece.