Associate Vice President, HR Business Partner

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

The Human Resources Business Partner (HRBP) will be a proactive, self-motivated individual who is comfortable working independently, is process-oriented, and possesses strong relationship-building skills. The ideal candidate will have prior HR experience within a high-growth asset management or financial services organizations and will thrive in a fast-paced environment with dynamic HR responsibilities.

Key responsibilities include providing HR advisory support to business managers and employees; managing employee relations and performance matters; overseeing onboarding and offboarding processes; and facilitating core HR activities such as headcount planning, performance management, compensation, promotions, internal transfers, and learning and development initiatives.

In addition, the HRBP will lead projects related to policy and programme development, and contribute to strategic HR initiatives, including acquisitions and the establishment of new offices in the future.

PRIMARY FUNCTIONS AND ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Partner with the Senior HRBP for Japan, as well as other regional and global Senior HRBPs, to define and execute the strategic agenda for assigned client groups.
• Build deep relationships and business acumen to provide exceptional advisory support to management and employees on a wide range of HR matters, considering internal policies, work rules, best practices, regulations, company culture, and desired commercial outcomes.
• Offer day-to-day performance management guidance, including coaching, counselling, career development, and disciplinary actions.
• Collaborate closely with managers and employees to enhance workplace relationships, foster morale, and drive productivity and retention.
• Play a leadership role in organizational change and restructuring initiatives.
• Contribute to strategic and change management efforts, including mergers and acquisitions.
• Partner with hiring managers to assess candidates and provide strategic input on hiring decisions and compensation terms, where appropriate.
• Work with the Rewards team to support the annual compensation review process, ensuring alignment with pay-for-performance principles and providing relevant market data to inform decision-making.
• Take ownership of employee programs and initiatives as assigned, contributing to the broader goals of the HR team, working closely with HR COEs
• Facilitate the performance management cycle, including calibration roundtables, to ensure high-quality reviews and strong participation rates.
• Oversee the onboarding process for new hires within the assigned client groups, including orientation and establishing a credible HR presence.
• Manage voluntary and involuntary separations, including conducting exit interviews and separation meetings.
• Coordinate employee transfers and promotions.
• Handle complex employee relations matters, conducting thorough, objective investigations as needed.
• Lead or contribute to special projects and other tasks as required.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree required; field of study is flexible, an exceptional academic record.
• An advanced degree or professional HR certification (e.g. CIPD, SHRM, HRCI) is considered a strong asset.

Skills and Abilities Required:

• Minimum of 8–10 years of experience in Human Resources, including at least 4 years in an HR Business Partner role.
• Prior experience in asset management or financial services is a strong advantage.
• Broad working knowledge across multiple HR disciplines, including compensation and benefits, talent development, organisational design, employee relations, performance management, and employment law.
• Analytical; proven ability to proactively identify issues and implement effective solutions.
• Demonstrated experience acting as both an employee advocate and a change agent.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the presence and credibility to engage and influence stakeholders at all levels, including senior leadership.
• High level of client service orientation, with strong multi-tasking and follow-through capabilities.
• Hands-on approach with the ability to operate both strategically and tactically; comfortable “rolling up your sleeves” when needed.
• Strong advisory, influencing, and negotiation skills.
• Flexible and adaptable, with the ability to navigate ambiguity and shifting priorities.
• Collaborative team player with a strong ethic and ability to build effective partnerships across HR and business teams.
• Proven ability to take ownership, drive initiatives, and manage projects independently.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office; strong analytical skills and comfort working with data.

Reporting Relationships

There is no set deadline to apply for this job opportunity. Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis until the search is no longer active.