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Analyst, ESG - Japan Real Estate

Ares Management • Japan • Added on Sep 8, 2026
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This Tokyo-based role involves supporting the operational delivery of ESG strategies within a global real estate portfolio. You will own the day-to-day coordination of data collection, greenhouse gas emissions measurement, and the preparation of high-quality deliverables for both internal and external stakeholders. By bridging the gap between local Japanese operations and global corporate sustainability standards, you ensure that environmental performance is accurately captured and reported.

Working in real estate investment offers a unique lever for change, as you will directly contribute to decarbonization efforts, renewable energy implementation, and sustainable building certifications like GRESB. This position is critical for translating global climate commitments into tangible asset-level improvements across Japan. It provides a front-row seat to how alternative investment managers integrate responsible investment principles into high-value physical assets.

This suits someone who possesses one to three years of experience and is fluent in both Japanese and English. You should be a detail-oriented professional who thrives on managing multiple workstreams and enjoys navigating the technical complexities of sustainability data.

Job FAQs

What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

The Analyst is responsible for supporting the implementation of the Japan ESG strategy across the real estate platform. This includes managing data collection, validation, and reporting for utility consumption and building characteristics. You will also be heavily involved in measuring greenhouse gas emissions and coordinating carbon footprinting efforts to track progress against climate goals. Beyond data management, you will support ESG due diligence for new transactions and assist in the preparation of regulatory disclosures. The role acts as a project manager for various workstreams, ensuring that renewable energy initiatives and sustainable building programs remain on track and aligned with firmwide policies.

Key learning opportunities for this job

Candidates will gain deep technical expertise in real estate sustainability frameworks, specifically GRESB and other global reporting standards. You will learn how to apply decarbonization strategies to physical assets and understand the nuances of ESG integration within a complex investment environment. Exposure to a global platform allows for learning how to adapt international sustainability goals to local regulatory and cultural contexts in Japan. Furthermore, you will develop strong project management and analytical skills while working alongside senior ESG professionals in a high-growth financial services firm.

How does the ideal candidate look like (experience, skills)?

The ideal candidate holds a Bachelor's degree and has one to three years of professional experience in sustainability, finance, or consulting. Native-level Japanese and business-level English are essential for navigating the dual requirements of local asset management and global corporate reporting. Success in this role requires a growth mindset and high proficiency in Excel and PowerPoint for data synthesis. While prior knowledge of real estate is preferred, a genuine interest in responsible investment and the ability to handle technical data with high attention to detail are the primary attributes needed to succeed.

Advice to stand out and make a successful application

To stand out, demonstrate your ability to bridge the gap between technical data and strategic insights. Your application should highlight specific instances where you managed complex data sets or coordinated projects across different teams. Show an understanding of the Japanese real estate market's unique sustainability challenges. Align your resume with Ares' core values—being collaborative and entrepreneurial. If you have experience with GRESB or carbon accounting, make this prominent, as these are highly relevant to the day-to-day tasks of this specific role.

What aspects of the company's sustainability is this role likely to focus on?

This role focuses heavily on the environmental performance of physical buildings, specifically targeting decarbonization and energy efficiency. You will be instrumental in tracking progress toward net-zero targets and implementing renewable energy solutions within the Japan portfolio. Governance and reporting are also key, as you will help align local operations with global ESG transparency standards. The role ensures that sustainability is not just a high-level concept but is integrated into the actual operations and due diligence of real estate investments.

What are the main challenges someone in this role might face?

One of the primary challenges will be standardizing data collection across diverse assets where reporting maturity may vary. You may face obstacles in coordinating with various stakeholders who have differing levels of ESG knowledge, requiring patience and clear communication. Navigating the ambiguity of evolving regulations in the ESG space while maintaining strict reporting timelines can be demanding. Balancing the requirements of the local Japanese business with the overarching global Ares sustainability framework will require careful cultural and professional navigation.

How could a typical day look like for someone in this position?

A typical day might begin with a coordination meeting with the Senior Associate to review progress on current ESG workstreams. You could spend time validating utility data from properties or updating progress logs for renewable energy projects across the portfolio. Afternoons might involve collaborating with investment teams on ESG due diligence for a new potential acquisition or drafting presentation materials for investor relations. The day often concludes with touchpoints with global team members in different time zones to ensure alignment on international reporting standards.

What are the opportunities for professional growth and development in this role?

As a junior-to-mid-level role in a flat organization, there is significant visibility and the potential to take on more ownership as you prove your expertise. You may transition from supporting strategies to leading specific sustainability workstreams or projects independently. The firm's growth in the Asia-Pacific region means that successful Analysts can evolve into specialists in responsible investment or ESG operations. There are also opportunities for lateral growth within the global ESG team or into broader real estate fund management roles over time.

The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

Internal stakeholders include the Japan Real Estate Investment and Operations teams, as well as the global ESG and Corporate Sustainability groups. You will also interact with fund management, legal, compliance, and investor relations departments. Externally, you may coordinate with third-party consultants, data providers, and asset managers at the property level. During reporting cycles, your deliverables will reach investors and regulatory bodies, making these external parties key recipients of your work.

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