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Investment Operations Assistant Jobs in California

Build and maintain audit file for every investment * Manage exit operations * Support valuation and ... These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions ...

Build and maintain audit file for every investment * Manage exit operations * Support valuation and ... These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions ...

Operations Assistant

El Cajon, CA ยท On-site

$60K - $100K/yr

Brady West SoCal is seeking an organized, dependable, and motivated Operations Assistant to support our office and field operations teams. The ideal candidate is a bilingual self-starter with strong ...

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Investment Operations Assistant information

See California salary details

$10

$19

$30

How much do investment operations assistant jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 7, 2026, the average hourly pay for investment operations assistant in California is $19.56, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.19 and $22.07 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by investment operations assistants, and how can they be addressed?

Investment Operations Assistants often encounter challenges such as managing high volumes of transactions, ensuring data accuracy, and meeting tight deadlines. These tasks require strong attention to detail and the ability to multitask effectively in a fast-paced environment. Building proficiency with financial software and developing clear communication with portfolio managers and custodians can help address these challenges. Additionally, staying organized and proactively seeking clarification on complex processes can greatly enhance performance and reduce errors.

What does an investment operations assistant do?

An Investment Operations Assistant supports the day-to-day administrative and operational functions within an investment firm or financial institution. Their responsibilities typically include processing transactions, maintaining accurate records, reconciling accounts, and assisting with trade settlements. They act as a bridge between portfolio managers, traders, and back-office teams to ensure smooth and efficient investment operations. Attention to detail and strong organizational skills are essential for this role.

What is the difference between Investment Operations Assistant vs Investment Analyst?

AspectInvestment Operations AssistantInvestment Analyst
Primary FocusSupporting operational tasks, trade processing, and data managementAnalyzing investment opportunities, market research, and portfolio performance
Required SkillsAttention to detail, knowledge of trading systems, data entryFinancial analysis, valuation, market research
CertificationsTypically none required, but CFA Level I may be beneficialOften CFA Level I or II, financial modeling skills
Work EnvironmentBack-office, support teams within asset management firmsResearch departments, investment teams

While both roles support investment firms, the Investment Operations Assistant primarily handles operational and administrative tasks, whereas the Investment Analyst focuses on analyzing investments and market data. Understanding these differences helps candidates target their skills and career goals effectively.

What is the salary of an investment operations assistant?

The salary of an investment operations assistant typically ranges from $50,000 to $70,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and the size of the firm. Entry-level positions may start lower, while experienced assistants or those in major financial hubs can earn higher salaries. Benefits often include health insurance, retirement plans, and opportunities for professional development.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an investment operations assistant, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Investment Operations Assistant, you need a solid grasp of financial principles, attention to detail, and a relevant degree such as finance, accounting, or business administration. Familiarity with investment management systems, trade settlement platforms, and proficiency in Excel or similar data tools is typically required. Strong organizational skills, effective communication, and the ability to work under pressure help you manage multiple tasks and collaborate with internal teams. These competencies are crucial for ensuring accurate transaction processing, regulatory compliance, and smooth investment operations.
What are the most commonly searched types of Investment Operations jobs in California? The most popular types of Investment Operations jobs in California are:
What are popular job titles related to Investment Operations Assistant jobs in California? For Investment Operations Assistant jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What cities in California are hiring for Investment Operations Assistant jobs? Cities in California with the most Investment Operations Assistant job openings:
Infographic showing various Investment Operations Assistant job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 74% Full Time, 21% Part Time, 3% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 94% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $40,682 per year, or $19.6 per hour.

Senior Associate, Investment Operations

Ares Operations LLC

Los Angeles, CA โ€ข On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

Re-posted 20 days ago


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.

Job Description

At Ares, Investment Operations is a strategic partner to the investment business, ensuring the accuracy, integrity, and efficiency of our global investment platform. We are seeking a highly motivated Investment Operations Senior Associate to join our New York-based Operational Excellence team.
In this role, you will support the integrity of Ares' investment platform by partnering across Operations, Portfolio Management, Technology, Fund Administration, Finance, Treasury, and external banking partners to resolve complex operational challenges, strengthen controls, and enhance operational efficiency.

This position is ideal for an experienced investment operations professional who enjoys solving complex problems, leveraging data to identify trends, and improving operational processes. You'll gain broad exposure to sophisticated credit and alternative investment products while contributing to initiatives that improve scalability, enhance controls, and reduce operational risk across the firm.

PRIMARY FUNCTIONS & ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

As an Investment Operations Senior Associate in the Operational Excellence team, you will play a key role in supporting Ares' investment platform by:

Operational Excellence & Risk Management

  • Develop a deep understanding of reconciliation and operational processes while serving as a resource on complex operational issues.
  • Resolve complex operational exceptions through detailed investigation and root cause analysis.
  • Recommend process improvements that strengthen controls and improve operational efficiency.

Cross-Functional Partnership

  • Partner with Portfolio Management, Fund Administration, Treasury, Technology, Finance, and Operations to resolve complex operational issues and improve end-to-end workflows.
  • Build trusted relationships with custodian banks, agent banks, and external service providers, driving timely issue resolution and process improvements.
  • Review and challenge fund administrator processing, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and adherence to operational standards.
  • Share knowledge and best practices with team members to support a collaborative environment.

Process Improvement & Innovation

  • Contribute to initiatives that automate manual processes and improve operational efficiency.
  • Support system enhancements, platform migrations, and new business implementations.
  • Identify opportunities to streamline workflows and improve operational scalability.
  • Assist in developing operational KPIs and reporting to identify trends and support continuous improvement.
  • Participate in testing activities for new systems and process enhancements.

Strategic Projects

  • Participate in cross-functional initiatives supporting enhancements to the Investment Operations platform.
  • Contribute operational expertise to new business launches, platform migrations, and strategic process improvement initiatives.
  • Support implementation of technology-enabled solutions that improve operational effectiveness.
  • Represent the Operational Excellence team in project meetings, as appropriate

QUALIFICATIONS

Education

  • Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Business Administration, or a related discipline.

Experience Required

  • 4-8 years of experience in Investment Operations, Middle Office, Fund Operations, or related financial services functions.
  • Extensive experience supporting bank loan operations, private credit, syndicated loans, fixed income, structured products, or alternative investments.
  • Demonstrated success leading operational improvement initiatives and business transformation projects.
  • Strong experience managing complex operational risk and designing scalable control frameworks.
  • Proven ability to influence senior stakeholders and drive cross-functional initiatives without direct authority.
  • Experience partnering closely with Technology on automation, system implementations, and platform enhancements.
  • Strong understanding of investment operations, accounting principles, portfolio servicing, and operational controls.
  • Experience working with custodian banks, agent banks, broker dealers, prime brokers, and fund administrators.
  • Strong proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Power BI, and data analytics tools.
  • Experience with Wall Street Office, Geneva, Python, SQL, Alteryx, Power Automate, or similar automation technologies is highly desirable.
  • Experience within alternative investments, private credit, private equity, or hedge funds strongly preferred.

General Requirements

  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to independently manage complex issues.
  • Demonstrated ability to identify opportunities for operational improvement and drive execution.
  • Highly organized with exceptional attention to detail and a strong control mindset.
  • Comfortable managing competing priorities in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to influence stakeholders across multiple business functions.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present findings and recommendations.
  • Proactive, accountable, and able to work independently with minimal supervision.
  • Passion for continuous improvement, operational excellence, and delivering high-quality outcomes.
  • Demonstrated ownership mentality with a focus on driving results.

Reporting Relationships

Compensation

The anticipated base salary range for this position is listed below. Total compensation may also include a discretionary performance-based bonus. Note, the range takes into account a broad spectrum of qualifications, including, but not limited to, years of relevant work experience, education, and other relevant qualifications specific to the role.

$130,000 - $150,000

The firm also offers robust Benefits offerings. Ares U.S. Core Benefits include Comprehensive Medical/Rx, Dental and Vision plans; 401(k) program with company match; Flexible Savings Accounts (FSA); Healthcare Savings Accounts (HSA) with company contribution; Basic and Voluntary Life Insurance; Long-Term Disability (LTD) and Short-Term Disability (STD) insurance; Employee Assistance Program (EAP), and Commuter Benefits plan for parking and transit.

Ares offers a number of additional benefits including access to a world-class medical advisory team, a mental health app that includes coaching, therapy and psychiatry, a mindfulness and wellbeing app, financial wellness benefit that includes access to a financial advisor, new parent leave, reproductive and adoption assistance, emergency backup care, matching gift program, education sponsorship program, and much more.

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.