AVP, Legal Entity Governance

Job Description

Ares is seeking an AVP / Vice President to establish a newly formed Entity Data Governance team (“EDG”).  The role ensures that the formation, governance, and dissolution of Ares legal entities are executed efficiently, cost-effectively, and in compliance with global regulatory requirements. 

A core mandate of the role is to ensure that fund and legal entity data and documentation is complete, accurate, timely, and trusted, with GEMS operating as the firm’s golden source of truth. The EDG AVP/Vice President owns the global Fund and Legal Entity governance frameworks and provides senior-level oversight across regional team members (Americas, EMEA, APAC).

Reporting relationships

Reports to: Head of FLOW

Supervises: Entity Data Governance team members globally (Americas, EMEA, APAC)

Primary functions & responsibilities

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Governance

• Develop, implement, maintain, and enforce the Fund and Legal Entity Data Governance Frameworks, including establishing standardized processes and controls.

• Act as the ultimate escalation point for Fund and Legal Entity data.

• Provide regular reporting to senior Legal and firm leadership on governance effectiveness, risk, and data quality metrics.

• Drive continuous improvement and cost efficiencies.

Legal Entity Management Oversight

• Ensure the process for formation, maintenance, and dissolution of all Ares-controlled legal entities is consistent and scalable globally.

• Ensure entity lifecycle activities across funds, management companies, and deal entities are consistent and scalable as the firm grows.

Data Ownership & Systems Enablement

• Ensure Fund Master and GEMS operate as the trusted sources of fund and legal entity data and documentation.

• Sponsor and oversee enhancements to Fund Master and GEMS, including workflows, reporting, integrations, and data standards.

• Ensure consistent and disciplined use of Fund Master and GEMS across Ares.

• Partner with Technology, Compliance, Finance, Tax, and other functions to support downstream data needs and integrations.

People & Operating Model Leadership

• Lead and develop the EDG team.

• Align regional execution with global governance standards while accommodating local regulatory requirements.

• Support organizational change management related to new operating models and system adoption.

qualifications

Education:

• BS/BA in Law, Business, Finance, Accounting, Information Systems, or a related field

Experience Required:

• 8-12 years of experience in legal entity management, corporate governance, compliance, or related fields within asset management, financial services, or professional services.

• Proven experience leading global operating models and managing outsourced service providers at scale.

• Demonstrated expertise in data governance, process design, and operating model transformation.

• Experience implementing or overseeing legal entity management systems and data platforms.

• Exceptional stakeholder management skills, with the ability to operate credibly at senior executive level.

Experience Preferred:

• Experience with GEMS

• Experience with Salesforce

• Strong understanding of multi-jurisdictional corporate governance and regulatory requirements.

• Relevant professional certifications, such as:

• Corporate governance or company secretarial qualifications

• Risk, compliance, or regulatory credentials

• Data governance or data management certifications (e.g., DAMA/CDMP), where applicable

Personal Attributes

• Strategic, detail-oriented, and execution-focused.

• Strong governance mindset with a pragmatic approach to operational delivery.

• Comfortable leading change in a complex, global organization.

• Collaborative leader with high standards and strong accountability orientation.

General Requirements:

• Dependable, great attitude and energetic, excellent interpersonal skills, team-oriented with an effective ability to collaborate with others, and strong work ethic

• Highest degree of integrity, motivation, and intellectual curiosity

• Superior communication skills (verbal and written) and a demonstrated ability to analyze and summarize complex information to create content for a diverse audience

• An analytical mind and an entrepreneurial spirit, with a keen interest to problem solve, and to conceive and implement new ideas to increase efficiencies and improve processes

• Outstanding organizational skills

• Excellent time management skills, including the ability to successfully manage multiple priorities and competing demands, often under pressure to meet challenging deadlines

• Comfort in dealing with ambiguity and uncertainty in a dynamic and fast-paced environment

Reporting Relationships

Compensation

$165,000 - $200,000 base + Discretionary bonus

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.