Managing Director, Head of Southeast Asia, Hong Kong and Australia, APAC Relationship 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

The Managing Director, Head of Southeast Asia, & Hong Kong ("Coverage Market"), APAC Relationship Management, is responsible for leading Ares’ client coverage, fundraising strategy, and long‑term relationship development across key Coverage Markets, with a particular focus on institutional investors including sovereign wealth funds, insurers, and pension systems. This role serves as a senior commercial leader for this Coverage Market, accountable for driving capital raising across the Ares platform, expanding strategic relationships, and representing Ares with the firm’s most significant and complex investors. The role includes leadership responsibility for regional Relationship Management professionals and close partnership with global investment, product, legal, compliance, and operations teams. The position operates with a high degree of autonomy and strategic influence and is a key contributor to Ares’ global fundraising objectives. The role reports to the head of APAC Relationship Management.

Primary Functions and Essential Responsibilities

Client Coverage & Fundraising

• Lead institutional client coverage and fundraising activities across Southeast Asia, & Hong Kong, with responsibility for significant AUM growth across credit and alternative strategies

• Originate, develop, and maintain senior‑level relationships with large institutional investors, including sovereign wealth funds, insurers, and pensions

• Drive both new investor acquisition and expansion of existing client relationships across multiple strategies and mandates

• Serve as a senior commercial representative of Ares in the region, engaging with clients on complex investment structures, bespoke mandates, and long‑term partnerships

Strategic Leadership

• Shape and execute Ares’ APAC fundraising strategy in partnership with Global Client Solutions leadership

• Identify regional market trends and growth opportunities to inform product strategy, investor targeting, and resource allocation

• Act as a regional thought partner to investment teams on investor positioning, product development, and market demand

Team Leadership & Talent Development

• Lead, manage, and develop a regional Relationship Management team, including hiring, mentoring, and performance management

• Create a high‑performing, collaborative team culture aligned with Ares’ CREST values

• Provide coaching and guidance to junior and mid‑level team members to build long‑term organizational capability

Cross‑Functional Collaboration

• Partner closely with global Relationship Management, Product, Investment, Legal, Compliance, and Operations teams to deliver coordinated client solutions

• Navigate internal stakeholder relationships to align firm priorities and deliver high‑quality client outcomes

• Ensure consistency in client messaging, governance, and execution across regions and strategies

Risk Management & Governance

• Exercise sound judgment in balancing growth opportunities with reputational, regulatory, and operational risk considerations

• Ensure client engagements and fundraising activities adhere to internal governance standards and regulatory requirements

• Serve as a senior escalation point for complex client or transactional matters in the region

Leadership & Influence

• Acts as a visible culture carrier and senior leader for Ares in the APAC region

• Represents the firm in high‑stakes client discussions, negotiations, and strategic forums

• Operates collaboratively on matters of significant commercial and strategic importance while remaining aligned with firmwide objectives

Qualifications

• Minimum of 15 years of experience in institutional relationship management, fundraising, or investor coverage within alternatives, credit, or asset management

• Deep understanding of institutional investor and regional investment dynamics in Coverage Markets

• Proven track record of driving significant capital formation and long‑term client growth

• Demonstrated ability to lead, mentor, and scale high‑performing teams

• Strong judgment, executive presence, and stakeholder management skills

Reporting Relationships

Partner, Head of APAC Relationship Management

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.