Associate, Sports, Media and Entertainment

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.

Ares is seeking an Associate to join its Sports, Media & Entertainment ("SME") team located in London. Ares’ SME strategy focuses on investing in top tier sports teams and leagues, rightsholders across the media & entertainment landscape, and operating companies that service these sectors. Our mandate allows us to provide flexible capital solutions ranging from senior debt through to common equity instruments, for both sponsored and non-sponsored opportunities.

The Associate will be directly involved in all facets of the investment analysis process including financial modelling, due diligence, industry research, legal documentation, and portfolio monitoring/management. They will interact directly with portfolio company management teams, as well as the broader SME team. They will also assist in strategy-oriented initiatives such as creating and developing whitepapers in new industry verticals and market mapping. Finance experience with exposure to a diverse universe of products across the capital structure and across corporate and asset-based investing is critical for success in this role.

Primary functions and essential responsibilities

• Financial Modelling & Analysis: Thoroughly analyze and underwrite potential investments including reviews of historical financials, development of cashflow projection models and investment analyses. Apply various qualitative and quantitative methods, including data analysis and scenario analysis, to assess the relative risk and relative value of potential investments.
• Due Diligence: Contribute to the deal team’s workstreams throughout the transaction due diligence and closing processes. Prepare due diligence questions, collect materials, utilize information and findings to adjust the underwriting of investments, and coordinate with third party diligence providers to facilitate the review and closing of transactions.
• Research: Contribute to investment team analysis by performing company-specific and industry research for each investment opportunity, as well as research related to broader macro trends and deepening sector knowledge in new verticals.
• Investment Recommendation: Assist in the development of Investment Committee memos and supporting analyses; ensure the quality, completeness and accuracy of the analysis that precedes investment recommendations and manage the overall delivery of associated materials required for decision making.
• Portfolio Management: Work with the asset management team to provide support to and oversight of investments in the portfolio. Contribute to various Team projects to enhance our investment process.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's degree or international equivalent with excellent academic record.
• Experience Required: 2-5+ years of investment banking, private equity, and/or private credit experience. Prior experience within the SME sectors (including TMT) is strongly preferred.
• General Requirements: Self-motivated and driven; ability to work effectively in a collegial, fast moving, demanding, and dynamic environment. Fluent spoken and written communication in English. Highly proficient in Microsoft Excel with strong technical skills and ability to build an LBO model and other complex operating models. Excellent research and due diligence skills with an aptitude for numeracy. Exceptional interpersonal skills as well as being a team player. Evidence of intellectual curiosity, creative problem-solving skills, and adaptability. Solid organizational skills, high attention to detail and ability to prioritize. Impeccable integrity and trustworthiness. European languages abilities considered a plus.