VP, Brand Strategy & Operations

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

The Ares Corporate Communications & Marketing team is seeking an experienced Brand Strategist and Operations lead with experience in both brand and marketing strategy. This team is responsible for strategic planning and execution of external, internal and digital communications and branding efforts across Ares’ global platform. Within Ares, the team works closely with a range of internal partners, including senior leadership, investment professionals, legal and compliance. This is a high-energy and committed team that values colleagues who are strategic thinkers, problem solvers and intellectually curious, as well as have high professional standards.

The Vice President of Brand Strategy and Operations will be responsible for providing oversight of the Ares brand and leading strategic initiatives to drive ongoing development of and awareness for the Ares brand. In this role, the Vice President of Brand Strategy and Operations will spearhead the implementation and rollout of a firmwide rebranding effort, including but not limited to, identifying and standing up relevant workstreams to roll out the new brand, supporting on the redesign of a new corporate website and establishing an ongoing governance process to protect the integrity of the new brand. The individual will also be responsible for future brand integration projects as Ares looks to acquire and integrate new businesses.

Primary Functions And Essential Responsibilities

• Lead the implementation, execution and ongoing refinement of a comprehensive brand strategy, encompassing everything from storytelling to marketing campaigns
• Work alongside members of the Corporate Communications team to effectively translate organizational strategies and goals to correspond brand /marketing initiatives that increase brand awareness with key stakeholders
• Partner across Ares business lines to define key brand and business development objectives.
• Collaborate with Internal Communications team members and other internal stakeholders to support engagement with brand strategy and values
• Assist in the development and oversight of brand management including marketing campaigns both from a creative and business management perspective through owned, earned, paid and physical channels
• Lead the team’s oversight of the firm’s brand across internal and external content and events, including maintaining brand standards, guidelines, and processes
• Lead brand integration workstreams as part of Ares’ corporate acquisitions
• Proactively identify new and different ways to bring the Ares brand story to life across mediums and channel
• Partner with the Ares Digital/Social Media, Content and Creative Solutions teams in the design, development, and maintenance of external marketing collateral to ensure brand consistency and creative direction across relevant Ares channels
• Become a cultural influencer – identify trends and insights to create stories that connect with various stakeholders for the Ares Brand
  
  

Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree (a liberal arts major from a top university)

Experience Required: Applicants should have at least 7-10 years of relevant experience. Experience working at an alternatives investment manager or bank a plus.

General Requirements

• Experience working for a branding/creative agency catering to financial services and/or wealth management industries preferred
• Proven ability to lead complex projects, including management of external vendors and budget
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including ability to articulate recommendations in a concise and timely manner
• Ability to work effectively and efficiently in an entrepreneurial environment
• Highly motivated self-starter who works well independently
• Ability to meet deadlines and work well under pressure
• Ability to adopt a collaborative/collegial approach with investment and functional teams
  
  

Reporting Relationships

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.

$175,000 - $200,000

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.

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.