Vice President, Government Affairs

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 Management Corporation is looking to hire a Vice President to join its Government Affairs team. The position will be an exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic self-starter to help build and maintain Ares’ Government Affairs function. 

The Government Affairs function plays a crucial role in advancing the mission and objectives of Ares and our investors by engaging with policymakers across the globe, staying ahead of and responding to legislative and regulatory developments, and driving thought leadership and advocacy.

The Vice President of Government Affairs will play a crucial role in building out the Government Affairs function. In this role, the ideal candidate will be responsible for executing on our policy agenda through monitoring policy developments, developing Ares viewpoints, and engaging in advocacy on behalf of the firm.

We are looking for a self-directed individual who is a strong written and verbal communicator, is excited to partner with others and can work cross-functionally to execute on aligned priorities.

Reporting relationships

Reports to: Managing Director, Head of Government Affairs

Primary functions and essential responsibilities

Specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Partner with the Head of Government Affairs in executing the Government Affairs function strategy
• Monitor and assess impact of policy developments relevant to Ares and the alternative investment management industry
• Anticipate and assess opportunity, change, and potential risks in the legislative, regulatory, and political realms
• Shape legislative, regulatory, and administrative policies affecting the alternative investment industry
• Coordinate, participate in and manage Ares’ membership with trade groups
• Prepare briefing and presentation materials for engagements with policymakers, regulators, investors and other stakeholders
• Provide technical recommendations on legislative and regulatory proposals, collaborating closely with other teams to ensure alignment of views across the firm
• Represent Ares at meetings with government officials or staff, related events, and other relevant forums
• Collaborate closely with the Communications and Public Investor Relations teams, as well as other internal teams to ensure alignment between government affairs strategies, external communication and Ares’ overall objectives
• Provide oversight and direction for external government affairs resources, where appropriate
• From time to time, assist with portfolio company matters involving government stakeholders

Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s Degree is required
• MPA, MPP, MBA, JD, CFA preferred

Experience and Skills Required:  

• 8-10 years of relevant experience working in or with legislative, regulatory, or executive branch agencies
• Prior experience in government affairs for financial services
• Prior experience writing and contributing to comment letters, drafting legislative language, and developing policy viewpoints for financial services
• Detailed understanding of and relationships with financial services policymakers
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint and Word

General Requirements:

• Extensive policy, advocacy, and analytical expertise
• Superior written and verbal communication skills and a demonstrated ability to create content for specified audiences
• Demonstrated ability to drive consensus among a diverse array of interests and priorities
• Exceptional client service orientation and ability to collaborate cross functionally
• Outstanding organizational skills with strong attention to detail
• Strong time management and prioritization skills
• Good judgment in terms of escalating issues vs. solving problems independently
• Comfort in dealing with ambiguity and uncertainty in a dynamic and fast-paced environment
• Proven ability to learn quickly, display flexibility and adaptability
• Political awareness, discretion and demonstrated ability to manage sensitive and high impact matters
• Highest degree of integrity and ethics

Reporting Relationships

Compensation

$185,000-$225,000

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.