Senior Associate, Co-Investment

Ares Operations•Los Angeles, CA

About The Position

Ares’ Corporate Finance team is seeking a Senior Associate to help develop, implement, and manage an operating plan for the Ares Employee Co-Investment Program, which facilitates Ares employees’ investments in Ares-managed funds. The role has day-to-day operational ownership of numerous funds, including investor onboarding and relationship management, operations, reporting and servicing, and fund accounting. The Senior Associate will collaborate with cross-functional teams to understand stakeholder needs and challenges and will manage and continually improve the data, reporting and insights, technology, and processes used to provide a seamless experience for internal investors. Experience with investment accounting and/or investor portal implementations is advantageous. This entrepreneurial opportunity offers significant responsibility and the opportunity to help build and grow a team within a diversified platform. The role emphasizes continuous improvement in the accuracy and timeliness of financial and operational reporting. The Senior Associate will coordinate new co-investment fund launches; oversee investor and fund onboarding; manage relationships with internal teams and external providers; and contribute to streamlined, centralized investor operations solutions. The position also coordinates project plans and executive updates, works with banking, lending, and audit partners, manages debt facilities and compliance reporting as applicable, oversees quarterly reporting, reviews capital activity and fund financial information, responds to stakeholder requests, and trains and mentors the Los Angeles and Mumbai teams. The role reports to a Senior Vice President.

Requirements

Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts degree, with a major in Accounting, Economics, or Finance, and an outstanding academic record.
At least 6 years of relevant work experience.
Strong understanding of U.S. GAAP.
Strong verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to analyze and summarize complex information.
Strong problem-solving and analytical skills.
Ability to multitask and manage multiple deadlines and third-party relationships in a fast-paced, high-growth environment.
Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills, time management, and ability to collaborate with others.
Proven experience collaborating with teams in remote locations while maintaining efficiency, effectiveness, and supervisory oversight.
Strong proficiency in Excel, PowerPoint, and Word, including complex formulas and macros.
Superior communication skills and ability to create content for diverse audiences.
Strong client-service orientation, leadership, and project-management capabilities.
Attention to detail and ability to manage multiple priorities and competing demands while remaining results-oriented.
Solutions-oriented, self-starting approach; ability to see the big picture and bring ideas to improve process efficiency.
Ability to research and use available resources, exercise judgment about when to escalate issues, and solve problems independently.
Comfort dealing with ambiguity and uncertainty in a dynamic, fast-paced environment and under demanding deadlines.
Energetic, self-motivated, team-oriented approach; strong work ethic, entrepreneurial spirit, and desire to learn.
Dependability, motivation, integrity, and intellectual curiosity.

Nice To Haves

CPA.
Public accounting experience, preferably with a Big Four firm.
Experience with investment accounting and/or investor portal implementations.
Experience with Investran, eFront, or other accounting software.
Experience implementing Sungard Dx, Intralinks, or similar investor portals.
Experience with Power BI, Tableau, or other business intelligence tools.

Responsibilities

Coordinate the launch of new co-investment funds, including understanding fund structures and jurisdictions, coordinating internal and external parties, reviewing draft legal documentation for reporting requirements, assisting with lines of credit, and supporting investor and fund onboarding.
Manage relationships with internal resources in the U.S. and Mumbai and external providers, including fund administrators.
Contribute to innovation efforts for structuring and implementing streamlined, centralized investor operations solutions.
Coordinate project plans, milestones, and updates to executive management.
Coordinate with third-party banking and lender relationships and internal and external auditors to meet monthly, quarterly, and annual reporting deadlines.
Manage debt facilities and review compliance reporting, as applicable.
Develop and oversee quarterly reporting deliverables and processes in partnership with fund administrators.
Prepare and review capital activity events, including cash analysis, capital call and distribution allocations, and investor notices.
Participate in reviewing quarterly NAV reconciliations with fund administrators.
Participate in reviewing quarterly and annual GAAP financial statements and footnote disclosures.
Respond to ad hoc limited partner, analyst, and investment team requests.
Train, mentor, and integrate the Los Angeles and Mumbai teams.
Continuously improve the accuracy and timeliness of management financial and operational reporting and the data, reporting, technology, and processes supporting the investor experience.