To succeed, you must be prepared to speak deeply about your operational background while demonstrating your ability to thrive in our specific environment. Below are the primary areas where you will be evaluated.
Process Optimization & Risk Management
Operational risk is a constant focus at Ares Management. We need managers who can design bulletproof processes that prevent errors before they occur. You will be evaluated on your methodology for auditing workflows, identifying vulnerabilities, and implementing controls. Strong performance here means demonstrating a proactive approach to risk, rather than a reactive one.
Be ready to go over:
- Trade Lifecycle Controls – How you ensure accuracy from trade capture through settlement and reconciliation.
- Exception Management – Your framework for handling trade breaks, failed settlements, or data discrepancies quickly and effectively.
- Process Automation – How you have leveraged tools (such as Excel macros, SQL, or specialized OMS/EMS platforms) to reduce manual touchpoints.
- Advanced concepts (less common) –
- Designing operational workflows for complex, non-standard alternative asset classes.
- Leading vendor selection and onboarding for new middle-office systems.
Example questions or scenarios:
- "Walk me through a time when a significant operational error occurred under your watch. How did you resolve it, and what controls did you implement to prevent it from happening again?"
- "Describe a manual process you identified as inefficient. How did you go about automating or streamlining it?"
- "How do you prioritize exception handling on a day with unusually high trade volume and multiple critical breaks?"
Cross-Functional Collaboration & Peer Fit
Because operations touches almost every part of the firm, your ability to collaborate is just as important as your technical skills. Interviewers, especially the peer panel, will evaluate how you handle friction, communicate complex issues to non-operational teams, and contribute to team morale. A strong candidate comes across as approachable, accountable, and communicative.
Be ready to go over:
- Front-to-Back Office Communication – How you relay operational constraints or issues to portfolio managers and traders without causing friction.
- Vendor & Administrator Management – Your strategies for holding third-party fund administrators accountable for SLAs.
- Conflict Resolution – How you navigate disagreements regarding process changes or resource allocation.
- Advanced concepts (less common) –
- Managing operations through a major firm acquisition or fund restructuring.
- Training and mentoring junior operations analysts.
Example questions or scenarios:
- "Tell me about a time you had to push back on a request from a portfolio manager because it posed an operational risk. How did you handle the conversation?"
- "Describe a situation where you had to work with a difficult third-party vendor. How did you ensure they met their deliverables?"
- "How do you build trust with a new team of peers when stepping into a management role?"
Asset Management Domain Knowledge
While specific asset class experience can sometimes be taught, a foundational understanding of alternative investments is highly evaluated. We assess your fluency in the terminology, mechanics, and regulatory environment of the funds we manage. Strong candidates can comfortably discuss the operational nuances of credit, private equity, or real estate vehicles.
Be ready to go over:
- Fund Structures – Understanding of closed-end vs. open-end funds, capital calls, and distributions.
- Corporate Actions & Cash Management – How you monitor liquidity, process corporate actions, and ensure funding for complex transactions.
- Regulatory Reporting – Familiarity with compliance requirements and reporting standards relevant to alternative assets.
- Advanced concepts (less common) –
- Navigating the operational complexities of distressed debt or direct lending portfolios.
- Cross-border settlement nuances and FX hedging operations.
Example questions or scenarios:
- "Explain the operational differences between processing a standard equity trade versus a syndicated loan."
- "Walk me through the lifecycle of a capital call from an operational perspective."
- "How do you ensure accurate cash forecasting across multiple funds with varying liquidity profiles?"
