Ares Management · 3 days ago
Principal or Managing Director, Value Creation Team, Services and AI
Chicago, IL
Full-time
Hybrid
Senior Level, Lead/Staff
$250K/yr - $300K/yr
10+ years expAres Management is a leading investment firm that focuses on generating consistent returns through a collaborative and responsible approach. They are seeking a Principal/Managing Director to join their Value Creation Team, responsible for identifying and implementing AI-driven initiatives to enhance portfolio performance and optimize the value of Ares’ Private Equity funds.
FinanceProperty & Casualty InsuranceProfessional ServicesAsset ManagementBusiness DevelopmentCreditFinancial ServicesInsurance
Responsibilities
Partner with deal teams to evaluate targets, identify high-impact AI opportunities, and advise on build vs. buy vs. partner decisions
Engage with portfolio company management teams to design and implement scalable AI solutions, accelerate adoption, and deliver fast wins in resource-constrained environments
Partner with deal teams to cultivate sector-oriented networks of AI advisors, vendors, and executive-level operators
Build and improve core practices for AI deployment across portfolio companies, including opportunity assessment, implementation, measurement, and scaling
Establish credibility as a trusted member of the firm with portfolio group, deal teams, and leadership
Identify and prioritize AI opportunities that drive measurable value across at least two portfolio companies
Deliver at least one scalable AI solution that can be replicated across the portfolio
Partner with deal teams and management to support adoption and change management of AI initiatives
Build and maintain relationships with third-party AI vendors, advisors, and partners to expand capacity
Establish portfolio-wide metrics and reporting systems to track AI-driven value creation
Qualification
Required
Minimum of a B.S. degree in Business Administration, Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field
10+ years of relevant experience in AI, technology strategy, or value creation, preferably within a private equity or consulting environment
Proven track record of delivering measurable business outcomes through AI initiatives
Strong understanding of AI applications in commercial and operational contexts
Ability to distinguish between realistic solutions and hype; sound judgment in build vs. buy vs. partner decisions
Experience implementing AI solutions in portfolio or corporate environments
Exceptional communication skills; able to explain technical concepts to non-technical audiences
Strong change-management and stakeholder engagement skills
Executive presence and ability to inspire confidence across deal teams and portfolio leadership
Ability to work effectively in a collegial, fast-moving, demanding, and dynamic environment
Creative problem-solving abilities
Strong interpersonal skills; collaborative, ego-free approach
Impeccable integrity and trustworthiness
Ability to work onsite at the Ares office 4 days a week
Benefits
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)
Commuter Benefits plan for parking and transit
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
Company
Ares Management
Ares Management is an alternative asset manager focusing on credit, private equity, and real estate.
1001-5000 employees
H1B Sponsorship
Ares Management has a track record of offering H1B sponsorships. Please note that this does not
guarantee sponsorship for this specific role. Below presents additional info for your
reference. (Data Powered by US Department of Labor)
Distribution of Different Job Fields Receiving Sponsorship
Represents job field similar to this job
Trends of Total Sponsorships
2025 (7)
2023 (1)
Funding
Current Stage
Public CompanyTotal Funding
$5.4B2025-10-29Post Ipo Equity· $1.5B
2025-01-09Post Ipo Equity· $2.3B
2024-10-09Post Ipo Debt· $750M
Leadership Team
Michael Arougheti
Director, Co-Founder & Current CEO
Antony Ressler
Co-Founder, Director and Executive Chairman
Recent News
WSJ.com: US Business
2026-02-12
Private Debt Investor
2026-02-11
Company data provided by crunchbase