Exit Opportunity after 1.5 years

Question

Hi everyone,

I’m currently working at a T2 consulting firm in Dubai and have been in this role for a little over 18 months. Prior to this, I worked for just under a year at an asset management/investment management firm. I hold a Master's degree from a reputable institution (Think Global top 5 university) and was fast-track promoted once at my current firm.

While I’ve learned a lot in consulting, the lifestyle has become increasingly unsustainable for me. The constant travel, especially late-evening or overnight flights (e.g., 3.5-hour flights with minimal rest), has left me sleep-deprived and burned out. Coupled with the usual stress of consulting, it’s becoming hard to maintain a healthy balance.

Adding to this, I’ve often struggled to see the real value we bring to clients since I joined. This has made it difficult for me to stay motivated, and I’m now questioning whether I should even remain in my current role until I hit the 2-year mark.

I’m exploring exit opportunities in Dubai and would like advice on where I might best fit. Ideally, I’d like a role where I can leverage my consulting and finance background, maintain a relatively good work-life balance, and avoid a significant pay cut.

I am interested in New-co /business development, financial markets, etc, yet I don't know how this is translated in the exit opps search.

Thanks in advance!

Answer 1

Hi,

There are a lot of exit options and no specific need to reach the 2 years bar. Based on my experience with others who where in a similar situation, they have considered to the following companies in Dubai:

Corporate Strategy: Join companies like Apple, Visa, Primefour Consulting, and TradeHills Financial Consultancy Services LLC to help develop long-term strategic plans.
Business Development: Work with firms such as Flying Colour Business Setup Services LLC, Vista Corporate Group, and Capital Immigration Consultants to drive business growth and client acquisition.
Operations Management: Consider roles at VISION BUSINESS CONSULTING, EuroMaTech Training & Management Consultancy, and Aswaar Consulting DMCC to oversee operations and process improvements.
Financial Services: Explore opportunities at Prime Avenue Document Clearing Services Co LLC, Kanoo Group LLC, and eMarca Consulting for roles in financial analysis, budgeting, and compliance.

Start gaining info on what those companies are doing and develop a network via LinkedIn.

Good luck with your job search!

Mattijs

Answer 2

Hi there,

I've been there aswell!

It’s great that you’re exploring your next step. However, the key is to identify what you truly want instead of relying solely on external advice. Start by reflecting on your strengths and what excites you in areas like business development or financial markets. Research roles that align with your interests, analyze job descriptions, and connect with professionals in those fields to understand their day-to-day work.

If you’re feeling stuck, feel free to reach out - I’ve helped others in similar situations clarify their goals and transition successfully.

All the best,
Kairavee

Answer 3

Hey!

Given your consulting and finance background, combined with your desire for a better work-life balance and minimal pay reduction, here are potential exit opportunities in Dubai: 1) Corporate Strategy/Development roles in large conglomerates, sovereign wealth funds (SWFs), or multinational corporations, where your consulting experience is highly valued, and you’ll work on internal strategic initiatives. 2) Investment roles in private equity, venture capital, or SWFs (e.g., Mubadala, ADIA), leveraging your asset management background and consulting experience to assess investment opportunities. 3) NewCo/Business Development opportunities in startups or corporate ventures, where you can contribute to scaling new initiatives. 4) Financial markets roles, such as strategy or operational improvement for banks or fintechs, which align with your skill set. To stand out, tailor your CV to highlight your consulting impact, strategic problem-solving, and relevant financial expertise. Networking will be key in Dubai’s close-knit market—leverage LinkedIn, former colleagues, and alumni networks. Consider roles with local offices of global firms (e.g., Amazon, Careem, Noon) for better work-life balance without a major pay cut.

Alessa :)

Answer 4

Hi there,

First off, congrats on the fast-track promotion and building such a strong profile. That’s impressive.

Now, about the exit:

The 2-year mark? Forget it. It’s not a hard rule. 1.5 years, with your promotion and top-tier master’s degree, is more than enough. It's what I did
Priorities: If balance is key, focus on corporate strategy, internal consulting, or biz dev roles. If pay is a top priority, think PE, VC, or even sovereign wealth funds—Dubai’s big on those.
New-co/Business Development: This translates to roles in fintech, tech-enabled services, or logistics. Dubai’s ecosystem is growing fast.
Next steps:
- Start networking immediately. Use LinkedIn. Reach out to people
- Sharpen your resume to highlight consulting + finance.
- Get a coach. You want to maximize the success of this transition. Use that salary to optimize your next job.

You’ve got options. Don’t overthink the timeline—focus on roles that align with your goals and start making moves.

Good luck! Let me know if you need help refining your plan.

Answer 5

Hi,

Sorry to hear about your rough time. Consulting indeed can be a grating industry.

Sharing my perspective having also considered exit opps throughout my journey in consulting

1. Differences between leaving at 12 months vs. 15 months vs. 18 months of consulting experience, or does it even matter?

I think there are 2 key dimensions when headhunters and firms are looking at your experience
- 1) Role/title
- 2) Tenure/experience
Very often it will be a combination of both, i.e. they are looking for someone with a given role/title because that role or title signifies or shows that that person implicitly has certain skills or has developed a level of capabilities that they are looking for
12 vs 15 vs 18 does not change the Role/title, so if they were looking at someone with min. experience of BA, that wouldnt matter
Tenure may matter if the HH or firm prefers someone with more experience WITHIN a certain role/title
Practically speaking and based on experience, I think the sweeter spot to leave is closer to 18 months than 12 months. If you are talking corp strat, many of the people hiring will know that at 1 year you haven't really built up the full consulting toolkit well enough yet.

2. What could I expect post-consulting in terms of exit opps?

Corporate: typically Corp Strategy, or BD/M&A teams
Tech: Hiring has drastically been impacted in recent years but pre-covid they used to be a key hirer of consultants into internal roles (though often as Individual Contributors)
Startups: You could also explore roles in growth/late stage startups with funding
2 key ways to look for opportunities / inspiration
- Reach out to your firm's career transition service
- Check on linkedin exit paths for people from your firm and similar tenure

3. Would the job market consider BA and SBA very different? Or should i stay longer?

Not as different as BA to Manager of course. or BA to Associate
From a negotiation perspective, it is better to wait for the promotion given you have a higher salary to negotiate
But if your mental health is at stake, this is something you need to figure out if you can find opportunities that you want, immediately

All the best!