C-suite jobs in big corporates - is it always so intense?

[silverbirchjuniper]

Was having a conversation with DH last night. He works in the media industry for a large global company. If he remains in the company he's at, he's probably on track to be C-suite level within 5-6 years or so.

He loves his place of work despite there some challenges (it's an area that notoriously pays pretty badly, which is frustrating) - but the positives outweigh the negatives, so all good.

He threw me a bit last night by saying there was no way on earth he'd ever want to be c-suite level there. Started talking about staying until 10pm most evenings, a terrible work/life balance, too much stress etc.

It's totally up to him of course - but I wasn't aware that this was par for the course for very senior execs outside of notoriously 'full on' industries like banking or law....be curious to hear other experiences.

Why would he need to be on the premises until 10pm with email, instant messaging, teams links etc?

I’m part of the leadership group so next step would be c-suite and I’d say that yes they are available all hours and frequently in meetings or travelling overnights and weekends or joining client calls and briefings when they’re on leave. Recently one of them was writing proposal content and joining calls from their room on a cruise ship while the rest of their family was enjoying the holiday.

They don't need to be on premises but it 100% would not be for me and I think its a fair choice....

I work one level below. I made 220k last.year so its not peanuts...but the bump in pay is just not worth it.

There are exceptions but on the whole roles very demanding/ relentless / stressful and to me "not worth the cost" so I actively haven't and wont pursue it.
Think conf calls 5pm sumday for urgent pitches calls in taxis to airports, fly in and out lon- san fran within 48 hours 🤮, taking pitch run through while kids are playing in pool at summer villa, writing company all hands presentations on friday nights. Its neverending

The salaries i know of (i do pitch work so see/saw salaries of various FTEs) dont IMO compensate for what you have to give and my dh and I agreed we'd sit the level below.

that said dh miiiight reneg on that at some point as he pivoted into a more chill industry that has high growth, low talent (so not crazy demanding as bar is low and they are grateful for not much) and I am bloody over working post kids 🤣🤣🤣

Yes, it’s like that for us (FTSE 100) I’m one level below C-suite and know that those kind of long hours are part of the role. Early starts, late finishes, emails over weekends, working all weekend if a crisis hits, extensive international travel (think being away weeks at a time)

Even at my level I would very rarely finish at 6pm, often do bits at the weekend, have taken calls at 10pm on a Friday if it’s urgent or done then at 6.30am to talk to Japan, I take work calls from holiday if needed. My DH would similarly do these things although he owns his own very different business.

I would also not want to be C-suite. So much pressure and so cut throat. I value my sleep and mental wellbeing too much.

I've been c suite in big London firms, and smaller firms, all at £250k and upwards. The London ones were like this but the others were not.

At that level, the expectation is to do whatever it takes to get the job done.

Yes and no, in my personal experience. I was C suite for a great company. Left largely to my own devices, providing I delivered the goods, which I and the rest of the board, did. Great salary, lots of mutual respect, no stupid hours or at least swings and roundabouts so periods with stupid hours were recognised so we could take personal time when required. Big bonuses too.
Said company was sold, went to shit, so I left, and went at the same level to a different company.
Huge salary, but my god, they owned you. Late nights as “required” which was irritating as fuck, because actually, if everyone could do their own bloody job, they wouldn’t be required, but sycophants were preferred, regardless of competence, and everyone else suffered. Holidays? Nope. They could get you 24/7 and you’d better respond. Corporate bullshit everywhere, including wanky “team building” weekends. Pointless “awards evenings” that have to have a C suite in attendance. Hideous.
I left and set up my own business , where we do none of that shite and we treat everyone like actual people. I earn more and I pay my people more. It’s much better!

Btw I'm in media / adland sector and while grad salaries are crap... i never found the pay that bad. I moved about (like everyone else!) And was making 90k at 30 years old...

Oh interesting - I also work at a global media company in London... In my experience you're absolutely right that the roles are 24/7. I don't think I want to be C-suite.

I'm in a leadership role (way below c-suite though) and earn about £100k. To be honest with you I have a ok work-life balance and don't want to get any more senior because of the sacrifice. It doesn't seem worth it to me

My mum used to say, "graveyards are full of indispensable people". It's all corporate bollocks spread by people who actually aren't very good at their jobs and unable/don't want to delegate in case the subordinate has better ideas than them.