Vice President, Investment Operations, Global Reconciliations

Ares Management Corporation•New York, NY

3d•$210,000 - $225,000

About The Position

Ares is seeking a Vice President to join its Investment Operations team in Los Angeles or New York. Reporting to the Principal of Investment Operations – Reconciliation Team, the role oversees monitoring and resolving cash and par discrepancies between the firm and banks or agents. The position includes cause analysis and impact assessment, and enhancing the platform, processes, controls, and technology to strengthen team capabilities. Strong critical thinking and a solution-oriented mindset are essential. The Vice President provides oversight and guidance for cash, par, and non-custody reconciliation processes across funds; serves as a first-level escalation point; works with fund administrators, custodian banks, agent banks, and internal stakeholders to address issues and improve workflows; and oversees quality controls, reporting, audits, and process enhancements. The role also represents the reconciliation team in meetings and departmental initiatives. The position requires a bachelor's degree in Finance or another business-related discipline and at least 10–12 years of investment management operations experience, with significant reconciliation experience and relevant asset knowledge. The anticipated base salary range is $210,000–$225,000. Total compensation may include a discretionary performance-based bonus. The firm offers a range of core and additional benefits.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Finance or another business-related discipline.
Minimum 10–12 years of investment management operations experience, with a strong emphasis on reconciliation and relevant asset knowledge.
Experience with investment operations and reconciliation functions at management firms.
Strong knowledge of asset classes, primarily credit/fixed income, derivatives, and FX, with emphasis on bank debt and high yield/alternative credit.
Strong understanding of the loan industry and its standards.
Familiarity with activities performed by financial intermediaries such as investment banks, broker/dealers, and prime brokers.
Proficiency in Microsoft Outlook, Word, Wall Street Office, and Geneva.
Experience partnering with business units to support operational efficiency and collaborative outcomes.
Experience working with an outsource or offshore service provider, custodian banks, and agent banks.
Understanding of basic accounting theories.
Exceptional attention to detail and a proven record of accuracy.
Ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and find timely solutions to complex problems.
Outstanding written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
Strong control focus and ability to challenge and streamline processes.
Problem-solving mindset and willingness to be hands-on.
Ability to follow up on issues and see them through to resolution.
Forward-thinking and proactive approach to preventing cash and par breaks.
Ability and willingness to continuously develop and maintain a next-level understanding of Ares’ business philosophy and activities.

Nice To Haves

Experience with PowerBI, Python, or similar technology.
Hedge fund, credit, or private equity experience.

Responsibilities

Oversee the cash and par reconciliation team process, provide guidance, and act as the first-level escalation point for reconciliation issues.
Assist with daily management and oversight of cash, par, and non-custody reconciliations with custodian banks and paying agents across funds.
Direct fund administrators and custodian banks on solutions for process-related trends; review processing output for accuracy and investigate root causes.
Prepare daily, weekly, monthly, and quarterly KPIs to track trends and workflow issues.
Maintain quality controls and oversight to ensure reconciliation breaks are escalated and resolved in a timely manner.
Influence and participate in policy and procedure decisions to support compliance with internal, legal, and regulatory requirements and changing business needs.
Oversee audit inquiries and submissions for the reconciliation team and work with internal audit, audit consultants, and external audit on SOC 1 controls and testing.
Work with internal and external stakeholders to improve reconciliation workflows.
Recommend process efficiencies and stronger risk mitigation.
Represent the reconciliation team in meetings and participate in departmental initiatives, including system enhancements, off-hours testing, and new business conversions as needed.
Manage relationships with custodian banks, agent banks, and administrators.
Follow up on issues through final resolution and identify ways to prevent cash and par breaks.