VP, Defined Contribution Strategy & Partnerships

Ares Management; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 190,000 - 220,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive medical/rx, dental and V

401(k) with company match

Life & disability insurance

Wellness programs

Transit benefits

Job summary

Ares Wealth Management Solutions is seeking a Vice President, Defined Contribution to join the RIA & Family Office Partnerships team in Boston. You will execute the defined contribution strategy across retirement-focused channels, serving as a relationship manager and subject matter expert with RIAs, recordkeepers, and platform partners.

You will collaborate across distribution, product, marketing, legal, and operations to advance initiatives, build stronger partnerships, and drive growth in

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• 7+ years of experience in defined contribution or retirement consulting.
• Strong understanding of the defined contribution landscape, including 401(k), 403(b), 457, and other retirement structures.
• Experience working with RIAs, family offices, retirement advisors, consultants, recordkeepers, or wealth management platforms.
• Demonstrated relationship management and business development experience with institutional or intermediary clients.
• Excellent communication, presentation, organizational, and project management skills.
• Ability to operate effectively across multiple stakeholders and manage numerous strategic initiatives simultaneously.
• Proficiency with CRM systems and pipeline management processes.

Responsibilities

• Support the execution of Ares' defined contribution strategy within the RIA, family office, and broader wealth management channels.
• Partner with the RIA & Family Office sales team to uncover opportunities where retirement and wealth management channels intersect.
• Develop and execute business plans and sales strategies designed to increase awareness, engagement, and adoption of Ares investment solutions.
• Monitor retirement industry developments, competitive dynamics, regulatory changes, and product innovation trends to identify new opportunities.
• Maintain strong relationships with key defined contribution stakeholders, including advisors, consultants, recordkeepers, home office research teams, and platform executives.
• Serve as a primary point of contact for strategic retirement-related partners and support partner onboarding, due diligence, fund placement, and education initiatives.
• Deliver presentations, webinars, educational events, and thought leadership content to advisors, consultants, and platform partners.
• Coordinate internal resources to support onboarding efforts, diligence processes, fundraising initiatives, and partner engagement activities.
• Maintain and oversee pipeline, relationship, and opportunity tracking systems to ensure effective follow-up and execution.
• Prepare presentations, business reviews, and strategic updates for senior management, including pipeline activity, partner engagement, and growth opportunities.
• Provide market feedback to support product development, positioning, and future retirement-focused initiatives.

Skills

Relationship management

Business development

Communication skills

Presentation skills

Organizational skills

Project management

CRM proficiency

Education

Bachelor's degree

CFA/CAIA/CFP/CIMA/QKS/AIF credentials

Tools

CRM systems

Pipeline management

Job description

Ares Wealth Management Solutions is seeking a Vice President, Defined Contribution to join the RIA & Family Office Partnerships team in Boston. You will execute the defined contribution strategy across retirement-focused channels, serving as a relationship manager and subject matter expert with RIAs, recordkeepers, and platform partners.

You will collaborate across distribution, product, marketing, legal, and operations to advance initiatives, build stronger partnerships, and drive growth in