Client Platform Applications Architect

Ares is seeking a principal-level technology leader to serve as Head of Institutional and Client Relationship Management (CRM) Technology, responsible for the strategy and delivery of capabilities that support the firm’s institutional client and investor workflows. This role will partner with business and technology leadership to define and deliver platforms to support the full lifecycle of institutional investor engagement—from prospecting and fundraising (sales, sales enablement, marketing) through investor onboarding and post‑close investor relationship management. Reporting to the Managing Director, Head of Client / Investor Technology, the successful candidate will also serve as the senior technology owner for the firm’s institutional CRM ecosystem, partnering closely with the Head of Wealth Management and Analytics Technology, Global Client Solutions, Investor Relations, Capital Formation, Client Operations, and Marketing teams across Institutional and Wealth/Retail channels to deliver a highly scalable and integrated platform that powers fundraising and client engagement. Primary Functions & Responsibilities Institutional Technology Strategy Own the strategy, architecture, and delivery of the firm’s institutional platform, including the system of record for institutional investor engagement and fundraising activity. Partner closely with Global Client Solutions, Investor Relations, Capital Formation, and Marketing leadership to transform institutional distribution priorities into scalable capabilities. Support the full institutional lifecycle including: Prospecting and pipeline development; Fundraising campaign management; Investor targeting and engagement; Fund marketing and opportunity tracking; Investor onboarding and documentation; Post‑close investor relationship management. CRM Architecture & Platform Engineering Serve as the senior technology authority for the firm’s Salesforce platform architecture, ensuring scalability, reliability, and alignment with enterprise technology standards. Define and enforce Salesforce development standards, governance models, and architectural patterns. Lead the design and development of Salesforce capabilities supporting complex alternatives fundraising workflows, including investor pipeline management, opportunity and fundraising tracking, investor relationship management, capital commitments and allocation workflows, fundraising reporting and analytics. Ensure the Salesforce ecosystem integrates seamlessly with data platforms. Ensure the CRM platform provides end‑to‑end transparency into investor engagement and fundraising performance. CRM Data Architecture & Integration Define the data architecture and governance model for institutional CRM data, ensuring high‑quality, trusted data across investor and fundraising workflows. Partner closely with Data & AI teams to ensure CRM data integrates with enterprise data platforms and analytics environments. Drive the development of a robust investor data model supporting client hierarchies, relationships, mandates, and investment history. Ensure seamless integration across key enterprise platforms including marketing automation and campaign management tools, client reporting platforms, investor portals, data warehouses, and analytics environments. Platform Architecture & Engineering Delivery Partner with platform engineering and architecture teams to ensure technology platforms are scalable, secure, and integrated with enterprise systems. Establish modern development practices including CI/CD for Salesforce development, automated testing and release management, platform observability and monitoring. Vendor and package governance. Agile program management, including data‑driven improvements to SDLC. Drive modern platform architecture supporting cloud‑native applications, API‑based integration, data‑driven distribution platforms, secure advisor and client data environments. Leadership & Culture Build and lead a high‑performing team of architects, developers, product managers, and business analysts to support the firm’s institutional business. Become a trusted partner and collaborator with senior business leaders across Global Client Solutions, Investor Relations, Client Operations, and Marketing teams. Foster a culture of engineering excellence, platform ownership, and continuous improvement. Act as a senior technology leader representing CRM platform priorities within broader enterprise technology governance forums. Align technology strategy, platforms, and deliverables to business outcomes. Manage relationships with software and consulting vendors. Qualifications 15+ years of progressive technology experience with significant leadership responsibility in enterprise application development. Deep experience implementing and operating Salesforce platforms within asset management, alternatives, or financial services firms. Strong familiarity with institutional fundraising and investor relationship workflows within asset management. Proven experience leading teams of architects, developers, and analysts. Demonstrated success building scalable CRM platforms supporting complex global distribution organizations. Deep expertise in Salesforce architecture, platform development, and enterprise CRM ecosystems. Experience integrating CRM platforms with data platforms, analytics systems, marketing tools, and client engagement platforms. Familiarity with data platforms, analytics environments, and data science capabilities supporting advisor segmentation and sales insights. Strong appreciation for data governance, security, and regulatory requirements in financial services. Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred. Background in Engineering, Computer Science, Information Systems, or related technical discipline strongly preferred. Compensation & Benefits Base salary: $300,000 - $350,000 plus discretionary performance‑based bonus. Benefits: Comprehensive medical, Rx, dental and vision plans; 401(k) program with company match; Flexible and Healthcare Savings Accounts; basic and voluntary life insurance; long‑term and short‑term disability; employee assistance program; commuter benefits; mental health app; financial wellness benefit; new parent leave; reproductive and adoption assistance; emergency backup care; matching gift program; education sponsorship program; and more. Applications accepted until the search is no longer active. #J-18808-Ljbffr SwiftCruit