Principal, Corporate Strategy

aresmgmt; Hong Kong; On-site; HKD 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Job summary

Ares Management in Hong Kong is seeking a Principal for its Corporate Strategy Group to act as the on‑the‑ground representative in APAC, driving expansion of Ares’ strategic footprint in the region.

You will lead the sourcing, evaluation and execution of strategic initiatives—acquisitions, partnerships and new business development—while coordinating with global teams and reporting to the Managing Director, Corporate Strategy.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• 9+ years of experience in principal investing, investment banking, corporate development or consulting.
• Exposure to private markets / asset management / insurance in the APAC region preferred.
• Proven track record leading complex projects, transactions and strategic initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Lead the evaluation and execution of strategic initiatives, including acquisitions, partnerships, and new business development opportunities
• Support other strategic, operational and organizational priority projects
• Conduct detailed financial modeling and market analysis to support investment decisions
• Prepare and present investment committee materials and board‑level presentations
• Manage due diligence processes and coordinate cross‑functional teams with senior stakeholders across geographies
• Build and maintain relationships with external stakeholders, including potential partners, advisors, and counterparties in the region
• Monitor industry trends and identify emerging opportunities aligned with Ares’ strategic priorities
• Support post‑transaction integration efforts and ongoing strategic portfolio management
• Act as a key liaison between APAC regional leaders and the global Corporate Strategy team

Skills

Analytical skills

Commercial acumen

Collaborative mindset

Excellent communication

Self-starter

Entrepreneurial mindset

Global teamwork

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

Excel

PowerPoint

Word

Job description

Job Description

Ares is seeking a highly motivated, strategic and entrepreneurial team player to join our Corporate Strategy Group as a Principal, based in Hong Kong. This is a unique opportunity to act as Corporate Strategy Group’s representative on the ground in APAC, playing a pivotal role in expanding Ares’ strategic footprint in the region.

The Corporate Strategy Group consists of investment professionals working directly with Ares’ Executive Chairman, CEO, Co‑Presidents, and business group heads to source, evaluate, and execute the firm’s most critical growth initiatives. These include management company acquisitions, strategic partnerships, portfolio purchases, public offerings, multi‑strategy fundraising initiatives, new distribution channel development and other strategic, operational or organizational firm‑wide priorities.

This role offers broad exposure across Ares’ investment groups — Credit, Private Equity, Real Assets, Secondaries, and other businesses — as well as our business development and operations teams (legal, compliance, finance, HR, etc.). The successful candidate will work closely with members of the global Ares Operating Committee and the APAC regional leadership teams.

This is a high‑impact, high‑visibility role suited to a candidate with strong analytical skills, commercial acumen, and a collaborative mindset. The individual will lead and support the sourcing, evaluation, and execution of strategic initiatives for Ares Management, with a focus on opportunities in the Asia‑Pacific region. The role reports to the Managing Director, Corporate Strategy, based in London, and is fully integrated within the global Corporate Strategy team.

Primary Functions & Responsibilities

• Lead the evaluation and execution of strategic initiatives, including acquisitions, partnerships, and new business development opportunities
• Support on other strategic, operational and organizational priority projects
• Conduct detailed financial modeling and market analysis to support investment decisions
• Prepare and present investment committee materials and board‑level presentations
• Manage due diligence processes and coordinate cross‑functional teams with senior stakeholders across geographies
• Build and maintain relationships with external stakeholders, including potential partners, advisors, and counterparties in the region
• Monitor industry trends and identify emerging opportunities aligned with Ares’ strategic priorities
• Support post‑transaction integration efforts and ongoing strategic portfolio management
• Act as a key liaison between APAC regional leaders and the global Corporate Strategy team based in the US and UK

Qualifications

• Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree
• Minimum of 9 years of experience in principal investing, investment banking, corporate development or consulting, with exposure to private markets / asset management / insurance in the APAC region
• Demonstrated experience leading complex projects, transactions and strategic initiatives
• Intellectually agile and curious with strong quantitative, financial and analytical skills
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate across senior stakeholders
• Self‑starter with the ability to operate independently while staying connected to a global team and experience working in global organizations
• Entrepreneurial mindset with a hands‑on, low‑ego approach
• Possess strong commercial judgement, with the foresight to see how potential opportunities fit within the broader business
• Impeccable integrity and ability to handle sensitive information with discretion
• High attention to detail and ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced environment
• Proficiency in Excel, PowerPoint, and Word, with an ability to leverage AI‑powered features and tools to enhance productivity