Ardian Interview Process: Rounds, Timeline & Compensation
Michael King, PE Investment Manager ·
Ardian runs typically three stages: a first round comprising three separate 30-45 minute interviews with Investment Managers, a second round with two interviews — a Senior Investment Manager and a Managing Director — combining technical and fit questions alongside a roughly 30-minute written test on accounting, valuation and IRR/MOIC calculations, and a final round with a Director focused almost entirely on motivation and fit. Ardian recruits off-cycle across its European offices (Paris, London, Frankfurt, Madrid, Milan, Zurich, Luxembourg and Jersey) rather than the compressed US on-cycle sprint some American megafunds run; reported time-to-hire for interns averages around 60 days from application to offer, and an online CV and cover letter screen is followed by interview rounds that can run in person or remotely. In London, Analyst base pay averages roughly £55k, with total compensation (including bonus) reported across a wide £51k-£123k range depending on level and performance; Investment Associate base pay averages roughly £80k in London. As at peer secondaries and private equity houses, meaningful carry participation is not standard at Analyst or Associate level and typically begins several years later, once professionals reach Principal or Director.
Interview rounds
Typically three stages: a first round comprising three separate 30-45 minute interviews with Investment Managers, a second round with two interviews — a Senior Investment Manager and a Managing Director — combining technical and fit questions alongside a roughly 30-minute written test on accounting, valuation and IRR/MOIC calculations, and a final round with a Director focused almost entirely on motivation and fit
Typical timeline
Ardian recruits off-cycle across its European offices (Paris, London, Frankfurt, Madrid, Milan, Zurich, Luxembourg and Jersey) rather than the compressed US on-cycle sprint some American megafunds run; reported time-to-hire for interns averages around 60 days from application to offer, and an online CV and cover letter screen is followed by interview rounds that can run in person or remotely
Compensation range
In London, Analyst base pay averages roughly £55k, with total compensation (including bonus) reported across a wide £51k-£123k range depending on level and performance; Investment Associate base pay averages roughly £80k in London. As at peer secondaries and private equity houses, meaningful carry participation is not standard at Analyst or Associate level and typically begins several years later, once professionals reach Principal or Director
Notes
Ardian is the world's largest private equity secondaries and primaries investor, headquartered in Paris, with total firm assets under management reaching roughly $200bn as of March 2026; its ninth secondaries fund closed in 2025 at $30bn, the largest secondaries fund ever raised, taking the secondaries and primaries platform alone past $100bn. That scale makes secondaries mechanics (LP-led and GP-led transactions, NAV-based pricing, fund restructurings) a natural interview topic distinct from the primary-buyout technicals tested at direct-investing firms, and candidates should expect questions on recent financial news and on a specific investment the interviewing team has already made
Frequently asked questions
How many interview rounds does Ardian run?
Typically three stages: a first round comprising three separate 30-45 minute interviews with Investment Managers, a second round with two interviews — a Senior Investment Manager and a Managing Director — combining technical and fit questions alongside a roughly 30-minute written test on accounting, valuation and IRR/MOIC calculations, and a final round with a Director focused almost entirely on motivation and fit
How long does the Ardian interview process take?
Ardian recruits off-cycle across its European offices (Paris, London, Frankfurt, Madrid, Milan, Zurich, Luxembourg and Jersey) rather than the compressed US on-cycle sprint some American megafunds run; reported time-to-hire for interns averages around 60 days from application to offer, and an online CV and cover letter screen is followed by interview rounds that can run in person or remotely
What does Ardian pay first-year hires?
In London, Analyst base pay averages roughly £55k, with total compensation (including bonus) reported across a wide £51k-£123k range depending on level and performance; Investment Associate base pay averages roughly £80k in London. As at peer secondaries and private equity houses, meaningful carry participation is not standard at Analyst or Associate level and typically begins several years later, once professionals reach Principal or Director