Great brand but politically difficult workplace - Anonymous employee Ares Management Employee Review

2.0
16 May 2026
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Pay is competitive with industry peers, though significant raises are uncommon. The company is well respected for its investment strategies. Benefits are solid and meet expectations.

Cons

Culture and values: The firm can feel inauthentic and lacking in collegiality; compensation sometimes seems used to offset cultural shortcomings. Politics: The environment is highly political. Transparency: Leadership communication is often limited and unclear. Performance reviews: Reviews can feel arbitrary and influenced by favoritism; strong contributors have left while weaker performers remain. Workload and isolation: Teams are frequently overworked, and roles can feel like being a lone wolf. Management behavior: Managers shift blame onto subordinates; being agreeable to leadership can matter more than actual performance.

Explore other reviews about Ares Management

5.0
11 May 2026
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Very collaborative culture with a strong connected leadership team; a high-growth organization that provides great opportunities for performing team members - many examples of strong mobility (employees growing through promotion as well as employees moving locations and teams). I have been with the firm for more than 5 years and it has been a completely positive experience - I've grown significantly in responsibility and compensation.

Cons

Nothing that comes to mind.

2.0
4 Jun 2026
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Strong Brand Reputation: The company's industry-leading brand recognition significantly enhances employee career prospects.

Cons

Challenging Organizational Culture: A high-stress organizational culture negatively impacts team morale and overall productivity. Overly Hierarchical Structure and Conflicting Priorities: A top-heavy hierarchy creates conflicting leadership guidance, leading to project ambiguity and misaligned priorities. Uncompetitive Total Compensation: Below-market compensation packages drive consistent attrition and hinder the recruitment of top-tier talent.

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