Senior Associate, Investment Operations - Reconciliations

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.

• Proactively research, resolve and prevent all cash and par breaks with custodian banks and third-party administrators
• Assist with the daily management and operation of the reconciliation process including cash, par and non-custody reconciliations with both custodian bank and paying agents across all funds
• Direct fund administrators and custodian banks on appropriate processing and review/reconcile processing output for accuracy while looking for root cause issues
• Assist in preparing daily, weekly, monthly, and quarterly KPIs to track trends and workflow issues
• Maintain high standard of quality controls
• Reconcile and resolve contract and facility level loan positions between WSO, Geneva and third‑party administrators
• Influencing and participating in decisions on policies/procedures designed to ensure compliance with internal, legal, and regulatory policies and ensure changing business requirements are met
• Work with all internal and external stakeholders to improve and enhance recon team workflows
• Contribute ideas and recommendations to improve process efficiencies and increase risk mitigation
• Participate in meetings representing the recon team and participate in department initiatives such as system enhancements, off hours testing and new business conversions as necessary

• Education:
  
  Bachelor’s degree in Finance or other business‑related discipline
• Experience:
  
  Minimum 5‑7 years of investment management operations experience with high emphasis on bank loan operations and reconciliation, and experience with management firms in investment operations and reconciliation related functions
• Strong knowledge of various asset classes, primarily focused on credit/fixed income, derivatives, and FX with an emphasis on bank debt and high‑yield/alt credit
• Strong understanding of the bank loan industry and standards
• Familiarity with standard activities carried out by financial intermediaries such as investment banks, broker/dealers, prime brokers, etc.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Outlook, Word, Wall Street Office and Geneva, as well as PowerBI and Python
• Direct experience partnering with the business units to ensure operational efficiency and collaborative outcomes
• Experience working with an outsource/offshore service provider
• Experience working with custodian and agent banks
• Understanding of basic accounting theories
• Hedge fund, credit or private equity experience is a plus

• Extremely detail‑oriented with a proven track record for accuracy
• Ability and desire to work in a fast‑paced and dynamic environment often requiring fast solutions to complex problems
• Display outstanding written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills
• A self‑starter with excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Strong control focus and ability to challenge and streamline processes
• Problem‑solving mindset, willing to roll up the sleeves
• Well organized, high attention to detail – role directly informs investment decisions
• Ability to follow up and see issues to final resolution
• Forward and proactive thinking and ability to find ways to prevent both cash and par breaks
• Willingness to continuously develop and maintain next‑level understanding of Ares business philosophy and activities

The anticipated base salary range for this position is $130,000 - $150,000. Total compensation may also include a discretionary performance‑based bonus. Note, the range takes into account a broad spectrum of qualifications, including, but not limited to, years of relevant work experience, education, and other relevant…