Associate, Strategic Initiatives

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.

Job Description

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”.

Reporting relationships

Reports to: Partner, Strategic Initiatives

Supervises: n/a

Primary functions & 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

Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree with a strong academic record.

Experience Required:

• 1-4 years of relevant principal investing or investment banking (preferably with specific experience in Leveraged Finance and/or M&A)

• Investment banking experience with additional experience in Private Equity is preferred

General Requirements:

• 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

Reporting Relationships

Partner, Chief Operating Officer of Ares Acquisition Corporation II

Compensation

$140,000 - $160,000 / annum

There is no set deadline to apply for this job opportunity. Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis until the search is no longer active.