Is Ares Management a good company to work for?

Ares Management has an overall rating of 3.4 out of 5, based on over 521 reviews left anonymously by employees. This rating has decreased by 13% over the last 12 months. 56% of employees would recommend working at Ares Management to a friend and 55% have a positive outlook for the business. The best reviews about Ares Management have been left by employees working as Analyst , Executive Assistant and Vice President .

Does Ares Management pay their employees well?

According to anonymously submitted Glassdoor reviews, Ares Management employees rate their compensation and benefits as 3.6 out of 5. Find out more about salaries and benefits at Ares Management. This rating has decreased by 13% over the last 12 months.

How satisfied are employees working at Ares Management?

56% of Ares Management employees would recommend working there to a friend based on Glassdoor reviews . Employees also rated Ares Management 3.3 out of 5 for work life balance, 3.2 for culture and values and 3.1 for career opportunities.

What are the top reviewed jobs at Ares Management?

Associate (53) , Analyst (45) , Senior Associate (38) , Vice President (28) , Executive Assistant (18) , Summer Analyst (13) , Intern (12) , Principal (9) , AVP-Operations (5) , Associate Vice President (5) , Investment Analyst (5) , Assistant Vice President (4) , Receptionist (4) , Administrative Assistant (3) , Human Resources (3)

What are the pros of working at Ares Management according to real employee reviews?

"Great culture generally and decent hours" ((in 84 reviews)); "Health Benefits are good." ((in 49 reviews)); "Overall the people are great" ((in 38 reviews)); "Pay is good." ((in 35 reviews)); "Good work life balance 2" ((in 24 reviews))

What are the cons of working at Ares Management according to real employee reviews?

"Bad management, Bad HR, Low quality work." ((in 23 reviews)); "Long hours but that is to be expected" ((in 16 reviews)); "Some Long hours at times but summer flexibility" ((in 14 reviews)); "6. Zero accountability for bad managers (and there are plenty); you will never win against a manager here, no matter how inept he/she may be." ((in 13 reviews)); "HR is powerless at enforcing policy since it’s all driven by the senior leadership who pays them." ((in 12 reviews))

What are employees saying about Ares Management layoffs in 2026?

Explore Glassdoor’s employee reviews to understand what current and former employees are saying about Ares Management layoffs and their outlook for job security at Ares Management in 2026.

What are the top reviewed Ares Management locations?

Los Angeles , New York , Culver City , Century City , Denver , Atlanta , Chicago , Boston , Newark , Itasca , Saint Louis , Manhasset , Berkeley , Miami , Maryland City , Hollywood, Los Angeles

Ares Management reviews

3.4

56% would recommend to a friend

(441 total reviews)

Michael Arougheti

87% approve of CEO

55% positive business outlook

Ratings by demographic groups

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Ares Management has an employee rating of 3.4 out of 5 stars, based on 441 company reviews on Glassdoor which indicates that most employees have a good working experience there. The Ares Management employee rating is in line with the average (within 1 standard deviation) for employers within the Financial Services industry (3.6 stars).

Reviews by job title

441 reviews

5.0

May 4, 2021

Excellent Place to Work!!

Anonymous employee

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Superb work-life balance. The company cares a lot about your personal life and gives importance over everything. Challenging Projects, Supporting and Encouraging Managers. Decent Perks and Bonuses Good Place to Upgrade your Skillsets

Cons

Sometimes lack of clarity about your role. Work From Home is not provided. If that becomes a policy then it will surely be one of the top organizations

5.0

Dec 18, 2020

Fantastic place to work

Vice president

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

- Excellent culture - Strong team - Experienced, intelligent colleagues and opportunity for exposure across the hierarchy and business lines - Rapid growth

Cons

- as it gets larger it loses the essence that tied the teams together when smaller - acquisitions result in culture anomalies and no real fit

1.0

Jul 5, 2025

Great Place —If You’re a Favorite, Not if You’re Capable

Associate

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Local team leads act like modern-day serfs, quick to say “yes” to whatever their overseas managers demand no matter how unreasonable, humiliating, or pointless. The culture fosters extreme insecurity and low self-esteem among local leadership, who in turn stifle initiative and critical thinking from the team.If you’re looking for real professional development, meaningful challenges, or a merit-based culture, look elsewhere.

Cons

A culture built on sycophancy, not substance. Those proudly calling themselves “valued” are, in reality, stuck in mindless data entry, CRM hygiene, and low-level reporting that adds no meaningful value. Many are now effectively unemployable elsewhere, sustained only by their relentless nose-rubbing and yes-man routine — which they mistake for professional worth.Senior associates and VPs here often function as glorified personal assistants to London analysts, rather than trusted partners. The atmosphere breeds petty megalomania at the top and learned helplessness everywhere else. If you value genuine responsibility, skill development, or self-respect, this isn’t the place for you.

Viewing 319 - 321 of 441 Reviews

Jobs at Ares Management

Administrative Assistant

Property Administrator, Atlanta

Ares Management

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Excellent Place to Work!!

Fantastic place to work

Great Place —If You’re a Favorite, Not if You’re Capable

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