TEAM OVERVIEWInsurance 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 SUMMARYKKR 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 & RESPONSIBILITIESStrategy, 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
