Senior Associate, HR Operations at Ares Management in New York, NY

Job description

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. Job Description Ares Management is seeking a Senior Associate to join the Global HR Operations team. HR Operations partners with the broader HR organization and business to deliver high-touch, global services across the employee lifecycle, including onboarding, background screening, employee data management, compliance, and HR program administration. The Senior Associate will manage core HR operational processes, serve as a trusted partner to employees, managers, and stakeholders, and drive improvements that strengthen service delivery, compliance, scalability, and the employee experience. We are seeking a collaborative, solutions-oriented professional who demonstrates strong ownership, sound judgment, and the ability to move initiatives from ideation through execution. This role offers broad exposure across Human Resources and opportunities to take on increasing levels of responsibility over time. PRIMARY FUNCTIONS AND ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES Specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to: Employee Lifecycle Operations Manage and execute assigned employee lifecycle processes, including and not limited to onboarding, background screening, immigration support, transfers, employee changes, and offboarding, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and a consistent employee experience. Serve as a trusted resource for employees, managers, and HR partners, resolving inquiries and complex operational matters with sound judgment and appropriate escalation. Manage and continuously enhance the U.S. New Hire Orientation program in partnership with key stakeholders. Act as a subject matter expert for designated HR Operations processes and programs. Process Improvement & Operational Excellence Identify and lead opportunities to streamline processes, strengthen controls, improve service delivery, reduce risk, and enhance the employee experience. Document, maintain, and standardize procedures and best practices to support consistent and scalable service delivery. Use operational data, service trends, and stakeholder feedback to identify root causes, measure effectiveness, and prioritize improvements. Partner with HRIS and cross-functional teams on system enhancements, workflow improvements, automation opportunities, and operational initiatives. Compliance, Programs & Projects Coordinate and execute HR compliance, governance, audit, and reporting activities in alignment with regulatory and business requirements. Maintain data integrity within Workday through regular audits, validation, root-cause analysis, and issue resolution. Manage assigned workstreams within HR programs, cyclical processes, and cross-functional projects, ensuring clear ownership and timely execution. Identify and escalate operational, compliance, and employee experience risks, partnering with relevant stakeholders through resolution. QUALIFICATIONS Education Bachelor’s degree required. Relevant HR certifications preferred. Experience Required 5-7 years of HR Operations experience, preferably within financial services, technology, or another complex, fast-paced environment. Experience executing employee lifecycle operations within a global organization. Proven ability to improve processes and independently manage initiatives from assessment through implementation. Hands-on experience with Workday is required; experience with ServiceNow, case management, and other workflow tools preferred. Working knowledg