Financial Services, Private Equity

Principal / Director, Product Origination & Distribution Strategy, Insurance

New York, NYOnsiteFull TimeDirectorPosted 1 month agoVisa sponsorship available

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Required skills

Defined Contribution
guaranteed income
in-plan
lifetime income
annuity
asset managers
record keepers
consultants
trust managers
fiduciary

Nice to have

AI tools
multi-asset solutions
portfolio construction
alternative platform

Role summary

KKR Insurance is seeking a Principal / Director for its New Markets & Strategic Partnerships team to drive growth in the Defined Contribution (DC) channel. This role will focus on designing, structuring, and executing go-to-market strategies for guaranteed income solutions within DC plans. The individual will collaborate across investment, legal, compliance, and distribution teams, analyze market and regulatory trends, and build relationships with key external partners. The ideal candidate has 9+ years of experience in asset management, insurance, or annuity product distribution, with a strong understanding of the DC ecosystem and a track record of launching annuity products or building distribution channels. Proficiency in AI tools for analysis is preferred.

COMPANY OVERVIEW

KKR is a leading global investment firm that offers alternative asset management as well as capital markets and insurance solutions. KKR aims to generate attractive investment returns by following a patient and disciplined investment approach, employing world-class people, and supporting growth in its portfolio companies and communities. KKR sponsors investment funds that invest in private equity, credit and real assets and has strategic partners that manage hedge funds. KKR’s insurance subsidiaries offer retirement, life and reinsurance products under the management of Global Atlantic Financial Group. References to KKR’s investments may include the activities of its sponsored funds and insurance subsidiaries.

TEAM OVERVIEW

Insurance New Markets & Strategic Partnerships is KKR Insurance’s dedicated team focused on growing the firm’s insurance and reinsurance platform. The team’s mandate is to expand KKR Insurance’s footprint beyond its core relationships and existing platform, including new partnerships, new channels of growth and new products. The group partners closely with investment teams, commercial team, insurance leadership, and external clients and distribution partners to diversify KKR’s funding sources and grow assets under management across new channels and geographies.

POSITION SUMMARY

KKR is seeking an experienced Principal / Director to join the Insurance New Markets and Strategic Partnerships team and drive the expansion of funding sources with a focus on Defined Contribution. This individual will lead the design, structuring, and go-to-market strategy for guaranteed income within Defined Contribution. Sitting at the intersection of product strategy, structuring, client coverage, and distribution enablement, they will help shape KKR insurance’s long-term growth strategy in this channel.

ROLE & RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategy, Development & Client Coverage

Own the Defined Contribution channel strategy for insurance, building the roadmap for entry and scale and partnering with key leaders across both functions to define, evaluate, and recommend specific growth opportunities for insurance within Defined Contribution

Lead end-to-end product development and structuring for in-plan or lifetime income solutions designed for distribution through Defined Contribution

Analyze the competitive landscape, end-participant needs, regulatory developments (SEC, FINRA, state insurance regulators, ERISA), and platform trends to identify product gaps and channel expansion opportunities

Build and manage strategic relationships with asset managers, record keepers, consultants, trust managers, and other external parties in the KKR ecosystem

Represent the firm externally as a thought leader on in plan annuities and lifetime income within DC

Cross-Functional Leadership

Serve as central point of coordination across investment, legal, compliance, distribution, marketing, commercial and client teams for insurance opportunities in Defined Contribution

Partner closely with public policy & affairs, legal, compliance, and operations to ensure product structures meet fiduciary, regulatory and operational standards

Monitor channel performance and product uptake, incorporate asset manager or plan sponsor feedback, and drive continuous improvement

QUALIFICATIONS

9+ years of experience in asset management, insurance, and/or annuity product distribution, with direct exposure to product development and/or channel strategy at a top-tier asset manager, insurance carrier, or alternative platform. Direct knowledge of the DC ecosystem strongly preferred

Strong track record designing and launching annuity or retail insurance products, and/or building out new distribution channels (DC, RIA, independent broker-dealer)

Excellent project management, communication, and stakeholder-coordination skills, partnering effectively with senior leaders across insurance, distribution, commercial, and investment teams

Strong technical proficiency across insurance, multi-asset solutions, portfolio construction, and annuity/insurance product mechanics

Comfort leveraging AI tools to accelerate market/competitive analysis, product research, and reporting

Detailed understanding of products, vehicles, legal and other regulatory, structures, and unique investment requirements of operating insurance strategy in the Defined Contribution space

Player coach mindset, leading by example

KKR is an equal opportunity employer. Individuals seeking employment are considered without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, marital status, ancestry, physical or mental disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other category protected by applicable law.

KKR will provide reasonable accommodations as required by applicable federal, state, and/or local laws. Individuals seeking an accommodation for the application or interview process should email Benefits@kkr.com. Emails sent for unrelated issues, such as following up on an application, will not receive a response.

If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you may request a reasonable accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to use or access https://www.kkr.com/careers because of your disability. You can request reasonable accommodations by sending an email to Benefits@kkr.com. Only emails left for this purpose will be returned.

Massachusetts Applicants: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability. This notice applies only to applicants and employees who work or will work in Massachusetts, in accordance with applicable state law.

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