Strategy Transformation Associate Jobs in California

We are partnering with a leading global alternative investment firm to identify a Senior Associate – M&A Operational Strategy to join a high-impact enterprise transformation team. This is an excellent opportunity for a strategic and execution-focused professional who enjoys solving complex business challenges, leading cross-functional initiatives, and partnering with senior stakeholders to drive meaningful organizational change.

In this role, you'll help deliver strategic transformation initiatives across multiple business functions, working closely with business leaders, technology teams, and operational partners. You'll manage projects from planning through execution, helping improve business processes, operating models, and enterprise capabilities while supporting some of the firm's most important strategic initiatives.

What You'll Do

• Support large-scale transformation initiatives by developing project plans, timelines, milestones, and governance frameworks.

• Coordinate cross-functional workstreams while tracking progress, risks, dependencies, and key decisions.

• Partner with business leaders to evaluate current processes and design more efficient operating models.

• Assist in developing business cases, implementation plans, and recommendations for strategic initiatives.

• Prepare presentations and executive-level materials for senior leadership and steering committees.

• Document business processes, operational requirements, and future-state workflows.

• Work closely with technology teams to translate business needs into actionable project requirements.

• Support organizational change efforts through stakeholder engagement, communications, training, and implementation planning.

• Monitor project execution, identify potential risks, and help drive successful delivery across multiple initiatives.

• Contribute to process improvement efforts that enhance operational efficiency, scalability, and collaboration across the organization.

What We're Looking For

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Economics, or a related field.

• 5–7 years of experience in management consulting, project management, business transformation, business operations, asset management, financial services, or a related field.

• Experience supporting complex, cross-functional projects involving multiple business and technology stakeholders.

• Strong project management skills with experience managing workplans, timelines, project documentation, and governance activities.

• Experience analyzing business processes, documenting requirements, and supporting operational improvements.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to organize complex information and communicate clear recommendations.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including experience preparing presentations for senior leadership.

• Advanced Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint skills; familiarity with project management and collaboration tools is a plus.

• Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Preferred Experience

• Experience within asset management, private equity, alternative investments, or financial services.

• Exposure to mergers and acquisitions, enterprise transformation, operating model design, or strategic initiatives.

• Familiarity with investment lifecycle processes, business process optimization, or technology-enabled transformation.

• Experience with project management platforms such as Microsoft Project, Smartsheet, Jira, Asana, Monday.com, Confluence, or similar tools.

Why Consider This Opportunity?

• Join a high-performing team responsible for delivering strategic initiatives across a global investment platform.

• Partner directly with senior business leaders on enterprise-wide transformation projects.

• Gain broad exposure to business strategy, operations, technology, and organizational change.

• Play a meaningful role in improving business processes and driving operational excellence across the organization.

If you're a strategic thinker who enjoys managing complex initiatives and working across multiple business functions, we'd welcome the opportunity to have a confidential conversation.

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.

$120,000 - $135,000

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.