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.

Ares is seeking a Principal to join the Digital Infrastructure Legal team. The Principal will serve as a senior member of the Legal team, providing strategic legal advice in connection with Ares’ Digital Infrastructure business, with a focus on our revenue, product, and marketing teams. This position will play a crucial role in negotiating leases and other revenue generating agreements, ensuring compliance with regulations, managing contractual agreements, and mitigating legal risks associated with our business operations.

Primary function & responsibilities
This is a highly visible, front-line role working closely with senior leadership, customers, investment professionals and cross-functional teams globally.
Broadly speaking, the Principal will be responsible for:

• Providing expert legal advice and guidance to the revenue, product, and marketing teams on a wide range of matters, including contract negotiations, lease agreements, joint ventures, intellectual property rights, advertising and marketing regulations, and data privacy laws.

• Reviewing, drafting, and negotiating various commercial agreements, including sales contracts, licensing agreements, service level agreements, partnership agreements, and lease agreements.

• Collaborating with cross-functional teams to develop and implement legal strategies that support business objectives while minimizing legal risks.

• Conducting legal research and analysis on relevant laws, regulations, and industry standards to keep abreast of changes and developments that may impact the company's operations.

• Advising on product development and marketing initiatives.

• Managing and overseeing litigation matters related to sales, product, marketing, and real estate activities, including disputes with customers, vendors, landlords, and regulatory authorities.

• Assisting in the development and implementation of corporate policies and procedures related to sales, product, and marketing activities to promote legal compliance and risk management.

• Developing and providing training and education to internal stakeholders on legal issues relevant to sales, product development, and marketing activities.

• Engaging and managing external legal counsel and consultants, driving efficient execution, cost management and consistency of legal approach across transactions.

• Supporting corporate governance initiatives and compliance programs to maintain the company's integrity and reputation in the marketplace.

• Advising on legal and structural considerations specific to asset managers nd alternative investment platforms, including issues relating to fund structures, management companies, carried interest arrangements, co-investments and strategic partnerships;

• Partnering with senior stakeholders on new initiatives, such as expansion into new geographies;

• Driving best practices, including developing scalable processes, playbooks and precedent documentation to support an active Digital Infrastructure pipeline.

Qualifications
Education: JD required with a strong academic background

Experience Required:

• The ideal candidate will possess 10+ years of strong technical and analytical capabilities, a sharp intellect and sound judgment, with demonstrated experience navigating complex legal and business issues in a fast-paced environment. They will bring a high degree of personal integrity, accountability and professionalism, and a client-focused mindset with a commitment to developing practical, creative solutions.

• Data Center industry experience.

• Strong understanding of sales, product, and marketing processes.

• Proven track record of successfully negotiating and drafting complex commercial agreements.

• Excellent analytical, communication, and interpersonal skills

• Ability to move fast and take smart risk.

• Demonstrated success as a growth-minded, authentic, service-oriented leader capable of motivating and guiding teams in an entrepreneurial environment.

• Successful candidates are highly organized and detail-oriented, with superior project management skills, the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously and a strong track record of execution and follow-through.

• The role requires an enthusiastic and engaged team player who communicates effectively, adapts well to changing circumstances and is resilient, flexible and open to feedback. A strong sense of ownership, a results-driven approach and a commitment to achieving excellence are essential

General Requirements:

• Executive presence with the ability to engage, challenge, and influence senior leaders

• Strong commercial mindset paired with operational discipline

• Exceptional written, verbal, and facilitation skills

• Highly analytical and data-informed, with the ability to translate insights into action

• Entrepreneurial and comfortable building from the ground up

• High standards for quality, rigor, and impact

• Comfortable working across time zones and cultures

Reporting Relationships

Head of Legal, Digital Infrastructure

Compensation

$300,000 - $350,000 / annum

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.