Associate Vice President, Investment Adviser Compliance (Enterprise)

Ares Operations•New York, NY

About The Position

Ares’ Legal & Compliance Department oversees the Firm’s global legal, regulatory and compliance functions. The Investment Adviser Compliance team works collaboratively across the organization, including on matters related to the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, the Investment Company Act of 1940 and other regulatory regimes. Ares is seeking a professional to help create, enhance and manage key parts of the Firm’s compliance program. The role provides guidance to business teams and partners in areas such as technology, finance and accounting, and corporate strategy. Working with colleagues across Legal & Compliance, the Associate Vice President will lead initiatives that support the business’s strategic direction, improve program effectiveness and mitigate compliance risks. The position focuses on enterprise-wide data capabilities and strategy, SEC and CFTC compliance programs, regulatory policies and procedures, and governance activities related to valuation, reporting, management fee calculations and expense allocation. It also involves identifying practical, appropriately governed uses of emerging technology, including Generative AI, for relevant compliance processes. The successful candidate will build effective relationships across the organization and identify and elevate potential risks and vulnerabilities.

Requirements

B.S./B.A. degree in Business or another related degree program.
At least 7 years of experience in compliance, audit, financial reporting and analysis, or another related function.
Strong understanding of relevant SEC regulations and requirements, particularly those relating to financial reporting, regulatory reporting and investment adviser compliance.
Experience working within a global firm subject to U.S. and non-U.S. regulatory requirements.
Expertise in building, supporting and enabling data-driven capabilities such as regulatory reporting or Finance & Accounting.
Engagement with technological advancements such as Generative AI and ability to develop and pursue risk- and value-aware use cases in a regulated context.
Knowledge of project and change management and ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams.
Strong organizational, planning and problem-solving skills, with exceptional attention to detail.
Experience operating in a fast-paced environment and adapting to new technology and/or enterprise-level change.
Exceptional verbal and written communication skills.
Solution-oriented approach that fosters constructive collaboration while ensuring adherence to high ethical and compliance standards.
Ability to lead projects and strategic initiatives to enhance policies, procedures, internal controls and systems, and to serve as a change agent.
Strong sense of ownership and accountability.
Ability to manage up and recognize when to escalate risks, concerns or issues.
Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word and PowerPoint.

Nice To Haves

Experience in finance, accounting and/or regulatory reporting is particularly valuable.

Responsibilities

Engage departmental senior leadership and Compliance colleagues to drive initiatives across the Investment Adviser Compliance function.
Partner with Compliance, Regulatory Reporting, Finance & Accounting, Technology and other functions to advance data capabilities, systems, workflows and enterprise-wide data strategy.
Drive initiatives that support robust SEC and CFTC compliance programs in light of emerging regulatory trends and business requirements.
Provide ongoing Compliance guidance to the business and advise Compliance leads and their client groups on regulatory policies and procedures, including those designed to detect and mitigate conflicts of interest.
Provide trends and analyses relating to Compliance activities.
Advise business stakeholders, including Finance & Accounting and investment groups, on maintaining and updating applicable compliance policies, procedures and processes.
Support governance activities related to valuation, reporting, management fee calculations, expense allocation and other finance- and accounting-adjacent regulatory initiatives.
Identify and advance practical applications of emerging technology, including Generative AI, for relevant Compliance processes, in partnership with Compliance Strategy, Technology and other stakeholders and within appropriate risk management and governance.
Independently identify and recommend ideas and solutions to business contacts, senior leaders and Compliance leadership.
Develop and maintain effective working relationships across the organization and within the Compliance Department.
Identify potential vulnerabilities and risks, and elevate key findings and recommendations to senior leadership.