Senior Associate, Marketing & Distribution Oversight

at  Ares Management

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 is seeking a Senior Associate to help oversee the marketing and distribution programme of Ares Management Luxembourg (“AMLux”), a regulated IFM. As a member of the Ares Luxembourg team, this position will report to the Conducting Officer for Marketing & Distribution and will be primarily responsible for advising on and overseeing the requirements of the IFM with regard to the marketing of alternative investment funds (“AIFs”) on the AMLux platform, formulating and implementing the due diligence and ongoing oversight programme for both internal and external distributors of those AIFs, the review and approval of marketing materials for the AIFs, collaborating with both internal and external stakeholders, and providing reporting to senior management and the Board of Directors of AMLux on risk identification and ongoing oversight.
Primary Functions and Essential Responsibilities:

Specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to the:

• Implementing and managing an appropriate governance framework for the marketing and distribution of AIFs on the AMLux platform in accordance with the regulatory requirements of the CSSF;
• Maintenance of the distribution network database for the Luxembourg domiciled funds;
• Completion of initial and ongoing due diligence of externally appointed distributors, including co-ordination of due diligence questionnaires, risk assessments, the maintenance of distribution registers, quarterly reporting and contracts, ongoing due diligence and site visits;
• Preparation and production of Distribution Oversight due diligence reports, KPIs, dashboards, and management reporting highlighting risks or gaps identified, as appropriate and when required;
• Appropriate escalation of incidents / breaches and risks to the management company, including the identification and management of known / unknown gaps;
• Collaboration with key stakeholders to co-ordinate and implement the appropriate oversight models;
• Act as a point of escalation for any client and delegate issues relating to Marketing & Distribution Oversight;
• Perform ongoing and periodic oversight of internally appointed sub-distributors, as part of BAU activities;
• Work with Technology and key stakeholders to develop automated solutions to enhance and develop our distribution oversight activities;
• Keep well informed on best practices, industry changes and trends that may impact Distribution Oversight related activities;
• Review and approval of marketing material relating to the AIFs;
• Establishing regular communication channels both within the Luxembourg office and with the European leadership team such that the Luxembourg Conducting Officers understand and execute their responsibilities, information is shared between the relevant parties, priorities and best practices are understood;
• Having a risk management mind-set; review, report and remediate any risk or concern; escalating proactively to the European leadership Coordinate and work with various portfolio and risk management personnel to ensure AIFM activities are robust and properly documented/evidenced;
• Reporting on and providing insights into upcoming regulations, industry and market trends and competitive dynamics; and
• Designing and executing regular communication plans and channels across the firm, with the objectives of disseminating information, understanding priorities and sharing best practices.

Education:

• Bachelor’s Degree required

Experience Required:

• 5+ years of experience in roles with duties including marketing and distribution oversight, risk management and / or compliance for asset managers
• A strong understanding of Luxembourg regulations applicable to AIFMs, including knowledge and experience with marketing and distribution regulations
• Detailed knowledge of relevant regulatory requirements and industry standards, including the CSSF Circular 18/698
• Regulatory experience with the CSSF
• Experience using the UME Solutions platform a plus

General Requirements:

• Strong collaboration skills, including proven experience of collaborating with teams in remote locations to ensure efficiency, effectiveness, and high level of supervisory oversight
• Ability to effectively partner with investment professionals and develop a deep understanding of investment products; ability to influence; capability of interacting with key stakeholders to direct prioritization of program related activity
• Excellent analytical skills; high accuracy and detail orientation
• Strong sense of ownership and accountability
• Self-starter who is comfortable working within an existing Compliance / oversight program
• Ability to manage up and instinctively know when to escalate risks, concerns, issues and/or various messages, and communication those efficiently and effectively
• Strong interpersonal, relationship-building and negotiation skills, and collaborative team player.
• Anticipate and proactively action potential issues and opportunities
• Excellent verbal and written skills
• Utmost integrity and discretion
• Excellent communication and client service skills
• Expertise with regulatory review and interpretation of regulations
• Ability to manage challenging workflow in-fast paced, dynamic organization, managing multiple assignments in a deadline driven environment
• An analytical mind and a passion/interest in bringing new ideas to increase efficiency of existing processes
• Experience and ability to proactively and continuously identify and analyze problem situations to develop an effective and improve course of action for resolution
• Ability to be flexible in order to coordinate with team members across time zones
• Dependable, great attitude, highly motivated and a team player
• Ability to handle confidential information appropriately

Reporting Relationships
Managing Director, Credit
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

• Implementing and managing an appropriate governance framework for the marketing and distribution of AIFs on the AMLux platform in accordance with the regulatory requirements of the CSSF;
• Maintenance of the distribution network database for the Luxembourg domiciled funds;
• Completion of initial and ongoing due diligence of externally appointed distributors, including co-ordination of due diligence questionnaires, risk assessments, the maintenance of distribution registers, quarterly reporting and contracts, ongoing due diligence and site visits;
• Preparation and production of Distribution Oversight due diligence reports, KPIs, dashboards, and management reporting highlighting risks or gaps identified, as appropriate and when required;
• Appropriate escalation of incidents / breaches and risks to the management company, including the identification and management of known / unknown gaps;
• Collaboration with key stakeholders to co-ordinate and implement the appropriate oversight models;
• Act as a point of escalation for any client and delegate issues relating to Marketing & Distribution Oversight;
• Perform ongoing and periodic oversight of internally appointed sub-distributors, as part of BAU activities;
• Work with Technology and key stakeholders to develop automated solutions to enhance and develop our distribution oversight activities;
• Keep well informed on best practices, industry changes and trends that may impact Distribution Oversight related activities;
• Review and approval of marketing material relating to the AIFs;
• Establishing regular communication channels both within the Luxembourg office and with the European leadership team such that the Luxembourg Conducting Officers understand and execute their responsibilities, information is shared between the relevant parties, priorities and best practices are understood;
• Having a risk management mind-set; review, report and remediate any risk or concern; escalating proactively to the European leadership Coordinate and work with various portfolio and risk management personnel to ensure AIFM activities are robust and properly documented/evidenced;
• Reporting on and providing insights into upcoming regulations, industry and market trends and competitive dynamics; and
• Designing and executing regular communication plans and channels across the firm, with the objectives of disseminating information, understanding priorities and sharing best practices