Associate, Investment Operations (Middle Office)

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

Role summary:

• Ares Asia is seeking two dynamic and results-oriented individuals for two full-time Associate position in its Investment Operations team based in our Mumbai office. The Investment Operations team adopts a birth to cradle approach for investments from an operational perspective and supports all aspects of investment support working very closely with the investment team on credit, private equity and special situation investments in the region.
• The successful candidate will work to support Ares Asia’s operational infrastructure across strategies within Asia. This role is central to support the team in investment deals across the entire investment lifecycle from an operational perspective as well as maintaining key centralized controls and processes.
• This position offers an opportunity to work in highly motivated, dynamic and experienced team, providing broad exposure to investment operations, including control, supervision, process efficiency enhancements, and participation in projects that drive operational improvements. Hands on training and mentoring will be provided in the successful candidate’s professional development.
• This role is part of the firm’s expansion to further scale its operational capabilities and is an additional headcount which will provide the successful candidate an all-rounded exposure in the Investment Operations team.

Primary responsibilities:

• Operational Infrastructure Platform:

  • Open and maintain onshore accounts with banks, custodians, intermediary platforms, and brokers.

  • Assist with license applications specifically required for investing in onshore jurisdictions.

  • Assist with KYC and AML compliance for accounts in India and other jurisdictions.

  • Assist with ongoing tax residency maintenance for investment entities.

  • Prepare and provide tax-related documents to counterparties.

• Investment-Related Maintenance:

  • Ensure timely monitoring and accurate processing of corporate actions.

  • Manage investment proceeds, ensuring timely receipt, effective repatriation, and necessary follow-up actions.

  • Maintain operational records and control files of investments.

  • Assist in timely and efficient deal closing and execution, including navigating through operational issues that could arise from onshore investing.

• Centralized Monitoring:

  • Assist with security record reconciliation, address discrepancies, and coordinate with relevant parties.

  • Maintain monitoring trackers for various investment related controls and datapoints to ensure robust investment monitoring.

• Ad-Hoc Projects and Efficiency Initiatives:

  • Participate in ad-hoc projects, providing support for initiatives within the Investment Operations team.

  • Identify and drive process efficiency improvements and robust operating models.

  • Identify opportunities and ideas that would value-add to the business.

  • Future career growth opportunities – develop a strong talent pool in Mumbai with respect to Investment Operations within Asia multi-investment strategies.

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree required, preferably in Accounting or Finance, with an exceptional academic record. Qualified Chartered Accountant preferrable.

• Other related disciplines are also welcomed.

Skills and Abilities Required:

• 4 to 6 years of experience in accounting, audit, finance, fund operations, or investment operations.

• Ability to work independently in a fast-paced, high-growth environment.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with attention to detail.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.

• Strong stakeholder management skills.

• Strong multi-tasking skills, adaptability, and willingness to learn beyond routine responsibilities.

• Self-motivated, self-starter, hands-on approach, able to work on own initiative, and meet deadlines.

• Ability to collaborate effectively in a dynamic team environment.

• Enthusiasm for working in an operations and control function, with a focus on driving improvements.

• Proficiency in MS Excel and Word.

• Knowledge of legal entity set ups and fund structures and legal entity setups (preferred).

Reporting Relationships

Partner, Investment Operations

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.