Vice President, External Communications (Japan), Corporate Communications

Job Description

Corporate Communications & Marketing aims to protect and promote Ares’s brand and reputation. It is the core function that coordinates all internal and external communications including employee newsletters and townhalls, media relations, branding, content and digital strategy.

Ares is seeking a highly motivated candidate for the position of Vice President, Corporate Communications, Japan. This role will help lead media relations and other external communications efforts for Ares in Japan, partnering with internal and external stakeholders to promote and protect the Ares brand. It will also work with internal stakeholders to manage internal communications for the Japanese workforce.

Primary Functions and Essential Responsibilities

• Lead external communications efforts in Japan
• Integrate and manage a small communications team in sync with requirements from headquarters
• Streamline workflows between the Japan team and those in other regions to present Ares as a globally unified platform
• Partner with the global Corporate Communications & Marketing team to develop and drive a cohesive, strategic approach to media engagement, corporate announcements, speaking opportunities, and content promotion for Ares and its newly launched logistics brand, Marq
• Work with the local team and PR agencies to maintain and strengthen relationships with key media across broadcast, top-tier financial, and relevant trade outlets in Japan
• Manage potential reputational issues for Ares, Marq and/or portfolio companies and assets
• Collaborate with senior leadership, investment teams, legal and compliance to draft, edit and prepare event‑driven communications materials, including press releases, talking points, media statements, and other briefing documents
• Collaborate with senior Ares investment professionals, as well as fund and public investor relations colleagues, to support external thought leadership campaigns and materials
• Attend and manage media engagements at key industry conferences in Japan for senior business leaders and investment professionals
• Support media engagement tracking and reporting, conduct competitor analyses, and assist with press release distribution and industry awards submissions, as needed
• Assess risk when business decisions are made, demonstrating consideration for Ares’ reputation, clients, and assets
• Collaborate with senior Ares investment professionals to manage internal communications for Ares in Japan, in close partnership with Ares’ Employee Communications Lead

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree. Master’s degree will be a plus
• Minimum of 10 years of work experience in fast‑paced, strategic communications roles in a multinational company/companies in Japan
• Significant in‑house and/or agency experience in media relations for financial institutions, preferably in asset management and/or private markets
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills in both English and Japanese
• Awareness and sensitivity to cultural and social nuances to integrate Ares and Marq communications teams in Japan with those in other regions
• A team player with a track record of operating with limited oversight to deliver high‑quality work in a fast‑paced, dynamic environment and under tight deadlines
• Good interpersonal and networking skills and the ability to work with cross-functional, multi-cultural teams and agency partners
• Ability to mine unique stories, craft compelling narratives, and place them in relevant and impactful earned, owned, and sponsored channels
• Strong background in developing integrated communications plans that align with top‑line corporate messaging
• Demonstrated project management and decision‑making skills

Reporting Relationships

Principal, APAC External Communications, Corporate Communications

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.

Ares Management Corporation (NYSE: ARES) is a leading global alternative investment manager offering clients complementary primary and secondary investment solutions across the credit, real estate, private equity and infrastructure asset classes. We seek to provide flexible capital to support businesses and create value for our stakeholders and within our communities. By collaborating across our investment groups, we aim to generate consistent and attractive investment returns throughout market cycles. As of March 31, 2026, Ares Management's global platform had approximately $644 billion of assets under management(1) with more than 4,400 employees operating across North America, South America, Europe, Asia Pacific and the Middle East. For more information, please visit www.aresmgmt.com.

Ares Management LLC (together with its related operating and administrative subsidiaries, “Ares Management”) is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and considers all applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, ethnicity, creed, sex, age, national origin, alienage or citizenship status, disability, medical condition, pregnancy, marital status, partnership status, sexual orientation, status regarding public assistance, military or veteran status, domestic violence victim status, gender identity and expression, transgender status, genetic information, status as unemployed, political affiliation or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. Ares Management will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance. (1) As of March 31, 2026. AUM amounts include funds managed by Ivy Hill Asset Management, LP., a wholly owned portfolio company of Ares Capital Corporation and registered investment adviser.