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Senior Associate, ESG Climate

Ares Management • United States • Added on Jul 21, 2026
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This role bridges the gap between high-level climate strategy and technical execution across a massive global investment platform. You will take ownership of the firm’s financed emissions data while simultaneously coaching portfolio companies on how to actually decarbonize their operations. It is a dual-track mandate where technical carbon accounting meets hands-on portfolio engagement across diverse asset classes like infrastructure and private equity.

The impact here is significant because you are influencing how billions of dollars in capital are managed in the face of climate risk. By turning complex GHG data into actionable playbooks, you help mature the sustainability practices of numerous businesses, directly contributing to the decarbonization of real-world assets. You are not just reporting on carbon; you are actively stripping it out of the investment lifecycle.

This suits someone who possesses a high degree of technical fluency in carbon frameworks but excels at ‘influencing without authority’ in high-stakes financial environments. It is ideal for an analytical communicator who thrives in matrixed organizations.

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What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

You will be responsible for operationalizing a firmwide approach to decarbonization and climate risk management. This involves a heavy focus on portfolio engagement, where you advise leadership teams at various companies on how to identify and execute value-accretive climate initiatives. Another core pillar is the management of the firm's annual financed emissions footprint. You will coordinate data collection, handle QA/QC processes, and utilize carbon accounting software to ensure accurate reporting. Additionally, you will support the integration of climate due diligence into the investment process to help professionals evaluate physical and transition risks.

Key learning opportunities for this job

Candidates will gain deep exposure to alternative asset management, specifically learning how ESG principles are applied to private equity and infrastructure. You will become an expert in market-leading ESG software like Watershed and Novata, furthering your technical proficiency in carbon accounting. There is also significant opportunity to master global reporting frameworks such as TCFD, SBTi, and PCAF at an institutional scale. Beyond technicalities, the role offers a front-row seat to how climate strategy influences multi-billion dollar investment decisions and stakeholder relations with large institutional investors.

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

The ideal candidate brings between 5 to 7 years of experience at the intersection of climate science and financial services. You should have a robust grip on the GHG Protocol and TCFD reporting, paired with the ability to perform complex data analysis in Excel. Soft skills are just as vital; Ares looks for people who can 'meet stakeholders where they are,' translating technical climate data into business-friendly recommendations. A background in alternative investments or consulting for private markets specifically will make a candidate highly competitive.

Advice to stand out and make a successful application

Focus your application on your ability to drive measurable results rather than just theoretical knowledge. Highlight specific instances where you successfully managed software implementation or influenced a portfolio company to change its operational behavior. Since this role supports the Infrastructure ESG Lead, demonstrating familiarity with real asset decarbonization—such as energy efficiency or renewable energy transitions—will help you stand out. Ensure your resume reflects a balance between technical carbon accounting accuracy and strategic presentation skills.

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

The primary focus is on Scope 3 financed emissions, which represents the largest part of a financial institution's footprint. You will spend significant time on climate risk assessments, looking at how climate change affects the valuation and longevity of infrastructure and real estate assets. Additionally, there is a strong emphasis on transparency and disclosure through TCFD and LP reporting. The role ensures that sustainability is not a separate silo but an integrated part of the 'Ares' value creation strategy through decarbonization playbooks and toolkits.

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

One of the steepest challenges will be data collection and quality from various portfolio companies that may have varying levels of ESG maturity. You will need to be persistent and resourceful in gathering accurate carbon data from entities that may not yet have robust internal tracking. You will also face the challenge of influencing without authority. You must convince internal investment teams and external portfolio executives that climate initiatives are value-accretive and worth their time, often in a fast-paced environment where financial returns are the primary metric.

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

A typical day might begin with a technical review of carbon data for a new infrastructure acquisition, followed by a meeting with a software vendor to troubleshoot emissions reporting. By midday, you could be drafting a playbook for portfolio companies on how to set science-based targets. The afternoon might involve collaborating with global marketing to answer investor RFPs or preparing a deck for a senior investment committee. Your day will consistently oscillate between granular data analysis and high-level stakeholder communication.

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

This role is positioned within a rapidly expanding ESG team at a global leader in alternative investments, offering a clear path toward senior management or specialized strategy leads. As the firm’s climate capabilities mature, there is potential to take on broader leadership roles in climate risk or product-specific ESG strategies. Furthermore, because you interact with the entire investment platform, you develop a uniquely broad network across different business lines—from Private Equity to Credit—which provides excellent lateral and vertical career mobility within the firm.

The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

Internal stakeholders include the Infrastructure ESG / Climate Strategy Lead, investment professionals, and global marketing teams. You will also work closely with corporate functions to mitigate firmwide climate risks. External interactions are equally frequent, involving portfolio company leadership, Limited Partners (LPs) who invest in Ares funds, and various third-party vendors including ESG software providers and environmental commodity sellers.

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