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

The Ares Legal & Compliance Department oversees and manages Ares’ global Legal, Regulatory and Compliance functions and programs.  Under the leadership of the Global Chief Compliance Officer, the Compliance and Regulatory functions are comprised of teams that operate collaboratively with a global focus, including Regulatory, which oversees all global regulatory matters including the Advisers Act, Investment Company Act and FINRA; European and Asia Pacific Compliance, which oversees region-specific compliance and regulatory matters; and Financial Crimes Prevention, which oversees Ares’ adherence to financial crimes-related rules and regulations. 

Ares is seeking a talented Compliance professional to join our Compliance team to serve as a senior team member creating and managing the Firm’s Registered Investment Adviser program.  The ideal candidate will bring a balance of strong management skills and experience managing a broad team with a demonstrated knowledge of and experience with compliance with complex regulatory regimes including oversight of the Firm’s 206(4)-7 Compliance program, including oversight of the Firm’s Regulatory Reporting program. As a Compliance leader, the Head of Registered Investment Adviser Compliance will particularly focus on the implementation and maintenance of core RIA program across all business strategies across the organization with oversight and coordination of applicable regulatory examinations.  The candidate will also be responsible for ensuring cohesive administration of the Firm’s Compliance program across the Firm’s strategic partnerships.

Primary Functions and Responsibilities

Specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Actively engage with the Chief Regulatory Officer to assist in directing the Compliance function throughout the organization

• Provide consistent and ongoing Compliance guidance, partner and advise with the respective Compliance leads and their client groups on regulatory policies and procedures; proactively provide trends and analyses relating to Compliance-related activities

• Develop, maintain and broaden effective working relationships across the organization and within the Compliance Department

• Present key findings and recommendations to senior leadership.  Elevate issues, identify priorities and track follow-on items to ensure they are appropriately resolved.  Demonstrate initiative and creativity in independently recommending and implementing solutions to business contacts, senior leaders and Compliance leadership.

• Administer and continually improve the organization’s Global Compliance program with particular focus on developing a technology plan to improve workflow efficiencies

• Proactively develop, implement, and enforce effective Compliance policies and procedures in accordance with applicable laws and regulations

• Maintain and demonstrate a thorough understanding of the regulations applicable to investment related activities and stay abreast of legal and regulatory developments; research and determine impact of new or revised laws and regulations on the firm’s business; work with the Investment Advisory, Marketing & Distribution, Registered Products, Global Financial Crimes team leads as well as the CCOs for EMEA and APAC to develop and present the Chief Regulatory Officer with new Compliance initiatives as Regulatory, Compliance and business needs evolve

• Coordinate effective analysis and integration of Ares’ strategic partnerships into the Firm’s existing compliance framework

• Manage, coordinate, and conduct comprehensive Compliance periodic reviews, annual reviews, and risk assessment as appropriate

• Identify conflicts of interest and business practices that may create risk exposure and adequately address such risk in the Firm’s policies and procedures

• Identify potential areas of vulnerability and risk while developing controls to mitigate risks

• Ensure procedures are appropriately implemented and documented in accordance with the Firm’s compliance manuals and written supervisory procedures

• Serve as a change agent while leading projects and strategic initiatives relating to the enhancement of Compliance policies, procedures, internal controls, systems, etc.

• Assist the Global Chief Compliance Officer and Chief Regulatory Officer in regulatory examinations and investigations, as appropriate

• Assist in creating and developing a high-performing and efficient Investment Advisor function

• Work with other leaders throughout the team to help drive a positive culture of accountability amongst department leaders, stakeholders and within the internal Compliance team

• In partnership with the Global Chief Compliance Officer and Chief Regulatory Officer, participate in various firm risk-based committees and management meetings, as required 

Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s Degree required

• Advanced Degree / Juris Doctor preferred

Experience Required:  

• 15+ years of Finance industry experience in Compliance with experience at a global asset management firm a plus

• 15+ years of relevant investment advisory compliance leadership experience

• A strong understanding of SEC regulations, with a particular focus on the Investment Advisers Act of 1940

• Experience with non-U.S. regulatory requirements for investment managers

• Detailed knowledge of relevant regulatory requirements and industry standards

• Direct experience in managing regulatory dialogues, coordinating regulatory examinations, and responding to inquiries

• Proven people leader – hiring, developing, and fostering talent; building high-performing and well-coordinated teams; driving change across scaled and global teams

• Ability to effectively partner with investment professionals and develop a deep understanding of investment products; ability to influence

• Proven ability to develop long-term strategy, reflecting multiple dimensions (business compliance/controls, people, and culture) and supporting multiple objectives

• Exceptional critical thinker

• Strong business judgment

• Ability to manage up and communicated efficiently and effectively

General Requirements:

• Exceptional communication skills

• Strong management skills, including proven experience of managing and/or collaborating with teams in remote locations to ensure efficiency, effectiveness, and high level of supervisory oversight

• Excellent analytical skills

• Strong sense of ownership and accountability

• Ability to manage up and instinctively know when to escalate risks, concerns, issues and/or various messages

• Strong understanding of investment adviser industry including U.S. and global securities laws including the Investment Advisers Act

• Expertise with SEC regulatory review and interpretation of regulations

• Ability to manage challenging workflow in-fast paced, dynamic organization, managing multiple assignments in a deadline driven environment

• Ability to successfully manage multiple priorities and competing demands; result oriented

• High accuracy and detail orientation

• Ability to multi-task and prioritize deadlines; result oriented

• Organizational skills, demonstrated ability to manage competing priorities and lead large scale projects to completion

• Excellent communication and client service skills; capability of interacting with key stakeholders to direct prioritization of program related activity

• An analytical mind and a passion/interest in bringing new ideas to increase efficiency of existing processes

• Experience and ability to proactively and continuously identify and analyze problem situations to develop an effective and improve course of action for resolution

• Ability to be flexible in terms of hours in order to coordinate with team members across time zones

• Comfort in dealing with ambiguity and uncertainty in a dynamic environment

• Dependable, great attitude, highly motivated and a team player

• Ability to handle confidential information appropriately

Reporting Relationships

Compensation

$275,000 - $340,000

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.