Why Dorchester Capital: Interviews, Careers, & Portfolio

Dorchester Capital Overview

Dorchester Capital Advisors, LLC (“Dorchester”) is a Los Angeles-based investment firm that specializes in credit-focused strategies and the acquisition of Limited and General Partner interests in both public and private credit and other funds.

Established in 2001, the firm initially operated with a multi-strategy, multi-manager approach but shifted its focus to credit and credit secondaries due to consistent outperformance in these areas and increased market opportunities.

With over 20 years of experience in alternative asset management, Dorchester has put together a team that’s great at finding unique investment opportunities and handling deals in the credit space. The firm was one of the first to get involved in the credit secondary market and uses its own funds to take advantage of opportunities in this area.

Dorchester’s primary investment strategies include:

• Credit Secondaries: Acquiring Limited Partnership interests in both primary and secondary markets, collaborating with General Partners to restructure investment vehicles, and directly acquiring underlying less-liquid assets.
• Credit Opportunities: Managing a targeted credit strategy that delivers differentiated returns through direct investments, partnerships with select managers, and separately managed accounts (SMAs).

With a comprehensive understanding of complex investment structures and a broad sourcing network, Dorchester Capital remains a trusted partner for institutional investors seeking access to specialized credit markets. The firm is led by its Founder and Chief Investment Officer, Mark Zucker.

Dorchester Capital AUM

According to most recent regulatory filings, Dorchester Capital has $1.1 billion in assets under management as of March 30, 2023.

Dorchester Capital Interview Process & Questions

While firms may adjust their interview process for each candidate, if you’re interviewing at Dorchester Capital or a similar firm, you can expect the following structure:

• 4-6 interview rounds: First few interview rounds are often supervised by junior investment professionals or the HR team, with more senior staff leading the later stages.
• Timeline: The entire interview process typically spans several weeks, unless it’s part of “on-cycle” or “on-campus” recruiting, which can be more condensed.

Expect a combination of fit, behavioral, and technical/investment-related questions throughout the interviews.

If you need help with interview preparation, check out my Growth Equity Interview Guide.

Why Dorchester Capital

“Why this firm?” is one of the most common and important questions you’ll get in an interview. Your response should show that you’ve done your homework and have a genuine interest in the firm.

If you’ve connected with anyone at the firm, mention them and how those conversations made a positive impression on you. It’s a great way to show that you’ve taken the time to learn about the people and culture firsthand.

It’s also a good idea to research the firm before your interview.

One of the best ways to do this is by listening to interviews or podcasts featuring the company’s founders or senior investors. This will help you understand their approach and values, so you can tailor your answers accordingly and show why you’d be a good fit.

Dorchester Capital Case Study

Case studies are a staple of the interview process and are commonly used to evaluate both your technical skills and your ability to communicate effectively.

At firms like Dorchester Capital, case studies typically focus on financial modeling and making investment recommendations. For junior positions, you might also be expected to complete a cold calling case study.

If you’re looking for guidance on how to tackle these case studies, check out our course: Growth Equity Interview Guide.

Dorchester Capital Salary & Compensation

According to Glassdoor, Analysts at Dorchester Capital have a median total pay of $107K per year, while there is no recent salary data for Associates. Salary will vary due to several factors that the firm usually considers such as experience, education, and skills.

Analyst

Dorchester Capital Careers, Jobs, & Internships

To find out what open roles Dorchester Capital has, check out our job board which features all opportunities for them and other similar firms.

Next Steps

If you’re aiming to become an investment professional at Dorchester Capital, I suggest taking a look at my Growth Equity Interview Guide.

This self-paced online course is designed for professionals looking to break into growth equity, helping them increase their chances of landing their target role. It covers key topics that frequently come up in interviews, including case studies and financial modeling.

Start your interview preparation today!