Macquarie Group is a global financial services firm headquartered in Sydney, Australia, active across asset management, infrastructure investment, corporate finance and capital markets. The company offers investment banking, asset and fund management...
"I joined as an analyst straight out of university and stayed because the learning curve was steep and real. You’ll get ownership early, and that keeps things interesting."
"I appreciate the flexible teams and the people — they’re pragmatic and unusually down-to-earth for a finance firm."
"Work can be intense around deal cycles, but the mentorship made a big difference for me."
These quotes reflect common themes you will hear when asking people about working at Macquarie Group: strong learning opportunities, hands-on responsibility, and a people-first vibe in many teams. Employees often highlight the balance of high expectations with genuine support from colleagues.
The company culture at Macquarie Group is often described as entrepreneurial, collaborative, and performance-driven. There is a clear emphasis on smart risk-taking and delivering results while maintaining a pragmatic, no-frills attitude. Teams tend to be tight-knit, and there is a sense that initiative is rewarded. If you are researching company culture at Macquarie Group, expect a mix of high standards and practical problem-solving. Cultural experience will vary by division — some areas lean more corporate and structured, others are more start-up like.
Work-life balance at Macquarie Group varies widely depending on function. In corporate support or middle-office roles you will find more predictable hours and genuine flexibility. In client-facing and deal-driven teams, you will encounter long stretches of intensive work, especially during transactions. Many employees say the firm is mindful of burnout and offers flexibility when possible, but you should anticipate peak periods where personal time must bend to project demands.
Job security at Macquarie Group is generally stable compared with some peers, but it is not immune to market cycles. The company operates across diverse sectors which provides some insulation, yet divisions tied to markets or commodities will reflect external volatility. There is a formal approach to performance management, and underperforming roles may be restructured during downturns. Overall, employees will find a reasonable level of job security in steady markets and transparent communication during changes.
Leadership at Macquarie Group is known for being hands-on and commercially focused. Senior leaders typically communicate strategy clearly and emphasize long-term value creation. There will be differences in management quality across teams — some leaders are highly accessible and mentoring, while others are more directive. The firm invests in leadership development, and leaders are often expected to model risk-aware decision making and accountability.
Managers at Macquarie Group are commonly praised for technical competence and willingness to delegate meaningful work. Reviews often note that good managers provide clear expectations and fast feedback, while weaker experiences come from inconsistent coaching or very results-only focuses. If you value growth, seek teams with managers who prioritize development and regular one-on-ones; those managers are frequently cited as a major reason people stay.
Macquarie Group places strong emphasis on learning and development. There are formal graduate programs, structured training modules, on-the-job mentorship, and access to external courses. Employees will have opportunities to rotate across desks in certain programs and to attend industry conferences. The firm promotes continuous learning, and many people credit internal training and on-the-job exposure for rapid career progress.
Promotions at Macquarie Group are performance-driven and merit-based. There is a clear pathway from junior to mid-level roles in many teams, and internal mobility between groups is encouraged. Advancement will depend on results, demonstrated leadership, and cultural fit. Timelines for promotion vary by business unit and market conditions, but motivated employees who consistently deliver will find advancement opportunities.
Salaries at Macquarie Group vary significantly by role, location, and division. Typical approximate ranges are: entry-level analysts AUD 60k–110k (USD 40k–75k), associates AUD 110k–180k (USD 75k–125k), mid-level managers AUD 180k–300k (USD 125k–210k), and senior roles/partners substantially higher. These ranges are indicative and will vary with bonuses, benefits, and geography. Compensation is generally competitive with similar financial firms.
Bonuses and incentives at Macquarie Group are performance-based and form a meaningful part of total compensation in many roles. There will be annual variable pay tied to individual, team, and firm performance. Certain divisions use deferred compensation and long-term incentive plans to align rewards with long-term outcomes. Payouts will reflect market cycles and business performance.
Macquarie Group offers comprehensive health and insurance benefits, typically including private health coverage options, life and disability insurance, and Employee Assistance Programs for mental health. Benefits packages will vary by country but are competitive within the financial services sector. Employees will often find strong parental leave policies and wellness initiatives.
Employee engagement is active and varied — from team socials and charity events to sports clubs and volunteer days. The firm encourages corporate social responsibility and community involvement. Regular town halls, internal networking events, and knowledge-sharing sessions help maintain engagement across global offices.
Remote work support at Macquarie Group is pragmatic and depends on team needs. Many roles offer hybrid arrangements and the technology to work remotely effectively. Client-facing and trading roles will require more on-site presence. The firm generally supports flexible work where job responsibilities allow.
Average working hours depend strongly on the role. In corporate and support functions employees will typically work a standard workweek of 40–45 hours. In investment banking, markets, or deal-heavy teams hours will be longer and more variable, often reaching 60+ hours during busy periods. Expect cyclical intensity rather than constant overload.
Attrition at Macquarie Group is moderate and influenced by market cycles and internal mobility. The firm has had headcount adjustments in past downturns, but large-scale layoffs are less common than in some global banks due to diversified business lines. Voluntary turnover occurs as employees pursue different opportunities or international moves.
Overall, Macquarie Group scores well as an employer for those seeking challenging work, fast learning, and a collaborative culture. Strengths include strong development programs, competitive compensation, and an entrepreneurial mindset. Areas to consider are variable hours in deal-focused teams and the impact of market cycles on incentives. On balance, the company is a solid choice for ambitious professionals who value learning, autonomy, and a performance-oriented environment. Overall rating: 4.0 out of 5.
Read authentic experiences from current and former employees at Macquarie Group
Exposure to global markets and technically strong desks.
High internal politics, unpredictable hours and poor promotion clarity. Burnout was common.
Very strong technical teams, clear career paths, lots of ownership on projects and excellent mentoring.
Occasional long release weekends.
Strong deal flow and exposure to senior bankers. Good bonus structure and international mobility.
High hours during live deals and sometimes unclear work allocation across teams.
Supportive team, strong focus on wellbeing and flexible hours which helped during personal events.
Salary increments are conservative compared to market.
Great learning opportunities, strong training programs and experienced colleagues to learn from.
Bureaucracy can slow decision-making, long hours during month-end which impacted work-life balance.
