Vice President , Commercial Finance (Underwriter)

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 Corporation is currently seeking a candidate for the position of Underwriter to join our Ares Commercial Finance (“ACF”) Group. The candidate will be responsible for all aspects of closing a new transaction, including performing and overseeing due diligence, loan structure and loan documentation.

Ares Commercial Finance is the asset-based lending team of Ares Management Corporation. ACF is focused on providing credit facilities up to $300 million to middle market and lower-middle market, private and public companies; and addresses a wide scope of industries including manufacturing, distribution, wholesale, retail, and service companies.  These facilities include revolving lines of credit and term loans, asset-based and cash flow stretch and first out loans, and asset-backed facilities to specialty finance companies. Leveraging the breadth and experience of the Ares platform, ACF works with borrowers to deliver creative, flexible, and customized financing solutions.  These financing solutions may be structured as working capital financing, bridge financing, turnaround financing, acquisition financing, debtor-in-possession financing, and special accommodation financing. We source our opportunities from private equity firms seeking LBO financing as well as through intermediaries and direct company referrals.

ACF is headquartered in New York, with offices in Atlanta, Los, Angeles, Manhattan, and Tarrytown. As of December 31, 2025, ACF had ~55 investment professionals and support staff dedicated to these products.  The senior investment professionals of ACF have on average more than 30 years of experience in commercial finance and asset-based lending.

The following highlights ACF’s Direct Lending strategy:

• Leverage the power of the Ares and Direct Lending platforms
• Multi-asset class “one-stop” solutions to meet clients’ needs
• Ability to rotate between asset classes with superior relative value
• Drive proprietary investment opportunities by pursuing multiple origination channels across various regions within the United States
• Active management of risk through structuring and downside protection
• Agent transactions with careful monitoring of liquidity and performance metrics
• Small deal teams with single point of contact
• Transparent and streamlined approval process with certainty of closing

Primary functions and essential responsibilities

• Review, evaluate, and determine risk factors, pricing, and transaction structure for potential transactions.
• Perform financial, customer, supplier, regulatory and industry due diligence.
• Manage communication with target company, Business Development Officer, Portfolio Manager, and/or Investment Committee.
• Prepare early read memos for credit committee review and approval.
• Review third party due diligence for each opportunity and resolve any outstanding concerns.
• Perform collateral analysis and review.
• Prepare and present Investment Committee materials for approval.
• Participate in negotiations and legal documentation review for each transaction.
• Participate in conference calls and meetings with Senior and Executive Management as needed.
• Recommend each transaction for approval or declination.
• Respond to target company requests in a timely manner, whether via email or phone.
• Keep current on industry standards, market trends and regulatory changes.
• Prepare special reports and analysis as needed.
• Comply with established policies and procedures.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Collaborate with Portfolio Managers to ensure a smooth handoff post-closing.
• Provide detailed underwriting summaries and risk assessments / KPIs to guide ongoing monitoring.
• Review and confirm funding mechanics, including lockbox arrangements and cash dominion

Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree from a four-year college or university required; preferably in Accounting/Finance or Business

Experience Required: Three plus years as a credit officer / underwriter, preferably with an asset-based lending institution

General Requirements:

• Advanced knowledge of corporate finance and leveraged lending, including Asset Based Lending   practices and procedures
• Advanced knowledge of accounting principles, practices, methods, and procedures
• Skill in financial statement, cash flow, credit, and collateral analysis
• Skill in spreading and modeling financials
• Skill in negotiating legal documents
• Skill in conflict resolution
• Ability to convert financial data into a narrative report articulating the financial condition of the target company and its principals
• Ability to draw thoughtful and relevant conclusions based on analysis
• Ability to use judgment and arrive at an underwriting decision based on available information; Influence internal/external partners to achieve results on behalf of investors; Make decisions independently and effectively explain proposed solutions to stakeholders
• Provides oversight and direction on complex deals and other key business initiatives to ensure alignment with strategic goals
• Effectively manages several transactions and/or projects at the same time, ensuring each one progresses smoothly
• Ability to utilize software packages including financial/accounting software and MS Office
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, clients, and outside contacts
• Proactively build capabilities in team members by providing ongoing coaching and learning opportunities
• Create a supportive environment where people are comfortable raising issues and making mistakes

Reporting Relationships

Compensation

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.