Associate, Portfolio Company Value Creation, Opportunistic Credit
Ares Management, Los Angeles, CA, United States
The Role
Working directly with the Managing Director, Portfolio Optimization, the Associate will help architect value creation plans and lead implementation of priority initiatives across the portfolio. The role requires translating investment theses into practical, sequenced, and measurable actions — and partnering with management teams to drive real execution. This is not a purely advisory role. The Associate will be expected to help design, launch, and scale initiatives that materially impact performance.
Primary Responsibilities
Value Creation Agenda Development
Partner with investment professionals and management teams to develop and refine value creation plans aligned to the investment thesis.
Identify the critical operational, financial, and strategic value drivers within each portfolio company.
Translate high-level strategic objectives into actionable initiatives with clear metrics, ownership, and timelines.
Performance Measurement & Data Enablement
Design and implement KPI frameworks directly tied to enterprise value creation.
Stand up or enhance business intelligence capabilities (e.g., dashboards, reporting packages, operating review materials).
Develop disciplined monthly performance reporting aligned with board-level priorities.
Help portfolio companies institutionalize data-driven decision-making and operating rigor.
Technology & AI-Driven Transformation (Core Focus)
Identify and prioritize tech-enabled and AI-driven use cases that improve speed, cost structure, and competitive advantage.
Co-design and support launch of practical AI applications (e.g., workflow automation, sales enablement, pricing analytics, forecasting, procurement optimization, back-office automation).
Evaluate and recommend tools across the AI and data landscape, including LLM-based applications, copilots, analytics platforms, and workflow automation solutions.
Identify and help establish a curated set of trusted third-party partners to support portfolio companies alongside their internal IT teams.
Work directly with management teams to pilot, refine, and scale initiatives in real operating environments.
Organizational Alignment & Change Enablement
Ensure initiatives have clear accountability, milestones, and measurable impact.
Help align talent and organizational structure to key value drivers.
Support change management efforts required to embed new processes and technologies.
Qualifications Education
Bachelor’s degree required; strong academic performance preferred.
MBA optional but not required.
Experience
2–3 years of experience in management consulting, investment banking, or similar analytical environment and/or 2+ years in an operating role at a technology-enabled or middle-market company, with hands-on involvement in designing and implementing operational or data-driven initiatives.
Clear evidence of having built, launched, or implemented initiatives — not solely advised on them.
Technical & Analytical Capabilities
Strong fluency with business intelligence tools (e.g., Power BI, Tableau, Looker, or similar).
Comfort structuring KPI systems and performance dashboards from the ground up.
Working knowledge of the AI tooling landscape, including LLM-based applications and workflow augmentation tools.
Exposure to implementing AI or automation use cases within a company setting.
Advanced Excel and PowerPoint skills with the ability to synthesize complex data into clear executive narratives.
Personal Characteristics
High intellectual horsepower paired with pragmatic execution ability.
Builder mindset; comfortable operating in ambiguous, imperfect environments.
High emotional intelligence and ability to work effectively with diverse management styles.
Strong communication skills and executive presence.
Willingness to travel 2–3 times per month.
Ability to work onsite in Los Angeles.
Reporting Relationships Managing Director, Opportunistic Credit, Portfolio Optimization
Compensation The anticipated base salary range for this position is listed below. 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 qualifications specific to the role.
$130,000.00 - $185,000.00
The firm also offers robust Benefits offerings. Ares U.S. Core Benefits include Comprehensive Medical/Rx, Dental and Vision plans; 401(k) program with company match; Flexible Savings Accounts (FSA); Healthcare Savings Accounts (HSA) with company contribution; Basic and Voluntary Life Insurance; Long-Term Disability (LTD) and Short-Term Disability (STD) insurance; Employee Assistance Program (EAP), and Commuter Benefits plan for parking and transit.
Ares offers a number of additional benefits including access to a world-class medical advisory team, a mental health app that includes coaching, therapy and psychiatry, a mindfulness and wellbeing app, financial wellness benefit that includes access to a financial advisor, new parent leave, reproductive and adoption assistance, emergency backup care, matching gift program, education sponsorship program, and much more.
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Primary Responsibilities
Value Creation Agenda Development
Partner with investment professionals and management teams to develop and refine value creation plans aligned to the investment thesis.
Identify the critical operational, financial, and strategic value drivers within each portfolio company.
Translate high-level strategic objectives into actionable initiatives with clear metrics, ownership, and timelines.
Performance Measurement & Data Enablement
Design and implement KPI frameworks directly tied to enterprise value creation.
Stand up or enhance business intelligence capabilities (e.g., dashboards, reporting packages, operating review materials).
Develop disciplined monthly performance reporting aligned with board-level priorities.
Help portfolio companies institutionalize data-driven decision-making and operating rigor.
Technology & AI-Driven Transformation (Core Focus)
Identify and prioritize tech-enabled and AI-driven use cases that improve speed, cost structure, and competitive advantage.
Co-design and support launch of practical AI applications (e.g., workflow automation, sales enablement, pricing analytics, forecasting, procurement optimization, back-office automation).
Evaluate and recommend tools across the AI and data landscape, including LLM-based applications, copilots, analytics platforms, and workflow automation solutions.
Identify and help establish a curated set of trusted third-party partners to support portfolio companies alongside their internal IT teams.
Work directly with management teams to pilot, refine, and scale initiatives in real operating environments.
Organizational Alignment & Change Enablement
Ensure initiatives have clear accountability, milestones, and measurable impact.
Help align talent and organizational structure to key value drivers.
Support change management efforts required to embed new processes and technologies.
Qualifications Education
Bachelor’s degree required; strong academic performance preferred.
MBA optional but not required.
Experience
2–3 years of experience in management consulting, investment banking, or similar analytical environment and/or 2+ years in an operating role at a technology-enabled or middle-market company, with hands-on involvement in designing and implementing operational or data-driven initiatives.
Clear evidence of having built, launched, or implemented initiatives — not solely advised on them.
Technical & Analytical Capabilities
Strong fluency with business intelligence tools (e.g., Power BI, Tableau, Looker, or similar).
Comfort structuring KPI systems and performance dashboards from the ground up.
Working knowledge of the AI tooling landscape, including LLM-based applications and workflow augmentation tools.
Exposure to implementing AI or automation use cases within a company setting.
Advanced Excel and PowerPoint skills with the ability to synthesize complex data into clear executive narratives.
Personal Characteristics
High intellectual horsepower paired with pragmatic execution ability.
Builder mindset; comfortable operating in ambiguous, imperfect environments.
High emotional intelligence and ability to work effectively with diverse management styles.
Strong communication skills and executive presence.
Willingness to travel 2–3 times per month.
Ability to work onsite in Los Angeles.
Reporting Relationships Managing Director, Opportunistic Credit, Portfolio Optimization
Compensation The anticipated base salary range for this position is listed below. 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 qualifications specific to the role.
$130,000.00 - $185,000.00
The firm also offers robust Benefits offerings. Ares U.S. Core Benefits include Comprehensive Medical/Rx, Dental and Vision plans; 401(k) program with company match; Flexible Savings Accounts (FSA); Healthcare Savings Accounts (HSA) with company contribution; Basic and Voluntary Life Insurance; Long-Term Disability (LTD) and Short-Term Disability (STD) insurance; Employee Assistance Program (EAP), and Commuter Benefits plan for parking and transit.
Ares offers a number of additional benefits including access to a world-class medical advisory team, a mental health app that includes coaching, therapy and psychiatry, a mindfulness and wellbeing app, financial wellness benefit that includes access to a financial advisor, new parent leave, reproductive and adoption assistance, emergency backup care, matching gift program, education sponsorship program, and much more.
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