Associate, Strategic Initiatives

Ares Operations•Los Angeles, NY

22h•Onsite

About The Position

Over the last 20 years, Ares’ success has been driven by our people and our culture. Today, our team is guided by our core values – Collaborative, Responsible, Entrepreneurial, Self-Aware, Trustworthy – and our purpose to be a catalyst for shared prosperity and a better future. Through our recruitment, career development and employee-focused programming, we are committed to fostering a welcoming and inclusive work environment where high-performance talent of diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives can build careers within this exciting and growing industry. Ares is currently searching for a highly motivated, detail-oriented team player to join as an Associate within our Corporate Strategy Group, predominately focused on our SPAC vehicles and associated investments. Ares has sponsored two SPACs to date: Ares Acquisition Corp. I ($1bn SPAC raised in February 2021) and Ares Acquisition Corp. II ($500mm SPAC raised in April 2023). The team also manages a portfolio of public and private debt and equity investments made in connection with our SPAC vehicles, which currently includes two portfolio companies, X-energy and Kodiak AI (NASDAQ:KDK). Based in Los Angeles, CA or New York, NY, the Associate will report to the Partner in Strategic Initiatives who serves as the Chief Operating Officer of the Ares Acquisition Corporation (“AAC”) vehicles and leads day-to-day operations for AAC. The Associate will be directly involved in all facets of the investment analysis process including opportunity identification, financial modeling, due diligence, industry research, and portfolio monitoring / management. In addition, the Associate may be used as a resource to the broader Corporate Strategy team, if and when a need arises. This position presents a candidate with a unique opportunity to join a small, entrepreneurial group within Ares with broad exposure to the rest of the firm and to leading public and private company boards and management teams. In addition, the Associate will interact directly with senior professionals across the firm including members of Ares’executive leadership team.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree with a strong academic record
1-4 years of relevant principal investing or investment banking (preferably with specific experience in Leveraged Finance and/or M&A)
Self-motivated with the ability to set priorities, multi-task, and monitor own workload to meet aggressive deadlines
Sophisticated financial modeling and analytical capabilities with a high-level of attention to detail
Strong analytical skills and the ability to work well with limited supervision
Private equity caliber drive and ability to work effectively in a fast-moving, demanding, and dynamic environment
Evidence of adaptability, intellectually curiosity, and creative problem-solving skills
Strong verbal, interpersonal and written communication skills
Highly proficient in Excel, PowerPoint and Word

Nice To Haves

Investment banking experience with additional experience in Private Equity is preferred

Responsibilities

Screening and identifying new investment opportunities
Reviewing new transaction opportunities through financial modeling, market analysis, reviewing information memoranda and meeting with Company management
Preparing complex excel financial models including data and scenario analysis to assess the relative risk and relative value of potential investments
Communicating with investment banks, consultants, and other third parties relevant to transaction due diligence
Preparing investment committee memos and board presentations
Analyzing investment performance including maintaining and updating financial models as well as keeping track of relevant current market activities