Principal, Alternative Credit

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 DescriptionAres Alternative Credit focuses on asset-based finance (ABF) and tactical asset investing opportunities beyond traditional markets, such as corporate debt, real estate and private equity. This strategy seeks opportunities in large, diversified portfolios, including specialty finance, lender finance, equipment leasing, structured products, net lease, cash-flow streams (e.g., royalties, licensing, management fees) and other asset-focused investments. As of March 31, 2026 (and inclusive of Q2 capital raises), Ares Alternative Credit managed approximately $57.3 billion in assets, Ares is a co-founder of the Promote Giving initiative ( and at least 5-10% of the promote (carried interest and incentive fee) profits of Alternative Credit's flagship Pathfinder family of funds have been pledged to be donated to global health and education charitable organizations.We are currently seeking an experienced Principal to join the Alternative Credit team focused on sourcing, origination and business & brand development within the private markets. The Principal will focus on a variety of core private markets responsibilities including: developing deep banking relationships, gathering market intelligence, sourcing new investment opportunities, negotiating and quarterbacking origination of new deal flow, developing strategic partnerships for origination and coordinating various branding & business development initiatives. The accelerated AUM growth in recent years has created an immediate need to enhance the group’s origination engine.Primary functions: Business Development : Establish, build and maintain bank, advisory and lending platform relationships spanning all pockets of origination within those institutionsDeal Origination: Facilitate sourcing deal flow across public & private credit markets utilizing deep relationships and regular contact across all parts of the covered institutionsPartnerships: Develop strategic partnerships/JVs with other institutions including insurance companies, pensions, asset managers & others to create new deal sourcing channels and investment scale in all aspects of the Alternative Credit businessBrand Development: Branding for the Alternative Credit business through attending and participating in conferences, panels, social events and all events relating to our charitable endeavorsEssential Responsibilities: Develop and maintain new relationships within the bank, advisor, asset manager and lending platform communities to increase deal flow originationUncover opportunities within these channels for investment across all Ares Alternative Credit pockets of capital including insurance and funds capital Coordinate & quarterback on the execution processes for various investment processesProvide proactive market color/updates to the collective Alternative Credit team & across the Ares platformIncrease the awareness of Alternative Credit solutions to other areas across AresHelp drive brand development forward for Alternative Credit at conferences, panels and bank eventsQualifications: Bachelor’s Degree or international equivalent requiredMinimum of 10-15+ years’ experience at a top investment firm, investment bank or similar organization, which might include experience in capital markets, investment banking, leveraged finance, buy-side M&A, structured product sales/syndications and/or principal investing experience.Strong intellect with outstanding quantitative and qualitative analytical skills; strong knowledge of finance and accountingUnderstanding of loan / transaction documentation – commitment letters, term sheets and credit agreementsExcellent writing, analytical and presentation skillsDemonstrated competency in financial statement analysis, business valuation, accounting and finance.Superior networking skills and ability to source valued informationReporting RelationshipsCompensationThe anticipated base salary range for this position is listed below. Total compensation may also include a discretionary performance-based bonus. Note, the range takes into account a broad spectrum of qualifications, including, but not limited to, years of relevant work experience, education, and other relevant qualifications specific to the role.$235,000.00 - $250,000.00The firm also offers robust Benefits offerings. Ares U.S. Core Benefits include 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), and Commuter Benefits plan for parking and transit.Ares offers a number of additional benefits including 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, and much more.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.SummaryLocation: New York, NYType: Full time