Principal or Managing Director, Originator, Commercial Finance

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

Ares is currently seeking a candidate for the position of Principal or Managing Director to join our originations team on the Ares Commercial Finance (“ACF”) Group in the Northeast. This person will cover the client base based in the Northeast. ACF leverages the scale and flexible capital of the Ares platform to provide innovative asset-based and cash flow solutions to small and middle-market companies, as well as asset-backed facilities to specialty finance companies. Our senior ACF investment professionals have on average over 30 years of experience in commercial finance and asset-based lending. Our team uses a combination of specialized credit and collateral monitoring to provide clients with flexibility and greater credit availability. ACF has the ability to structure and agent deals to support the growth and changing capital needs of its clients. Our asset-based lines of credit may be structured as working capital financing, bridge financing, turnaround financing, acquisition financing, debtor-in-possession financing and special accommodation financing. The following highlights ACF’s Direct Lending strategy: Leverage the power of the Ares and Direct Lending platforms Multi-asset class “one-stop” solutions to meet clients’ needs Ability to rotate between asset classes with superior relative value Drive proprietary investment opportunities by pursuing multiple origination channels across various regions within the United States Active management of risk through structuring and asset coverage Agent transactions with careful monitoring of liquidity and performance Small deal teams with single point of contact Transparent and streamlined approval process with certainty of closing.

Primary functions and essential responsibilities

• Utilize existing network and networking skills to originate viable new business opportunities
• Serve as liaison between Prospect and the Legal Department to process Non-Disclosure Agreements.
• Request prospect credit package to determine if the opportunity merits formal review.
• Analyze and structure new business opportunities for credit approval by assisting in preparing of pre-clear memo for credit committee review and approval.
• Work with the prospect and Underwriter to determine any up front concerns for clarification prior to initial credit analysis/presentation of pre-clear memo.
• Assist in the preparing of initial credit analysis/pre-clear memo for approval; creation of term sheet by Underwriter.
• Present term sheets to prospects for approval; negotiate terms with the goal being to move the opportunity into formal due diligence.
• Work in conjunction with the Underwriter throughout the documentation process as needed.
• Travel to prospect locations as needed.
• Attendance at industry events to source business and further industry education as needed.
• Participate in conference calls and meetings with Senior and Executive Management as needed.
• Respond to prospect requests in a timely manner, whether via email or phone.
• Prepare and submit weekly pipeline reports for review and discussion throughout the organization.
• Keep current on industry trends.
• Comply with established policies and procedures.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or international equivalent required
• 10+ years as a BDO and/or an underwriter, preferable with an asset-based lending institution
• Advanced knowledge of Asset Based Lending and commercial financial services practices and procedures
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, clients and outside contacts
• Experience with asset backed lending, cash flow lending, direct lending etc. a plus
• Strong structuring experience preferred

Compensation

The 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.

• $200,000-250,000

Benefits

• 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.

Ares Management Corporation (NYSE: ARES) is a leading global alternative investment manager offering clients complementary primary and secondary investment solutions across the credit, real estate, private equity and infrastructure asset classes. We seek to provide flexible capital to support businesses and create value for our stakeholders and within our communities. By collaborating across our investment groups, we aim to generate consistent and attractive investment returns throughout market cycles. As of June 30, 2026, Ares Management’s global platform had approximately $671billion of assets under management(1) with more than 4,400 employees operating across North America, South America, Europe, Asia Pacific and the Middle East. For more information, please visit

Ares Management LLC (together with its related operating and administrative subsidiaries, “Ares Management”) is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and considers all applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, ethnicity, creed, sex, age, national origin, alienage or citizenship status, disability, medical condition, pregnancy, marital status, partnership status, sexual orientation, status regarding public assistance, military or veteran status, domestic violence victim status, gender identity and expression, transgender status, genetic information, status as unemployed, political affiliation or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. Ares Management will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance. (1) As of June 30, 2026. AUM amounts include funds managed by Ivy Hill Asset Management, LP., a wholly owned portfolio company of Ares Capital Corporation and registered investment adviser.