Principal / Director, Product Origination & Distribution Strategy, Insurance

Careers at KKR•New York, NY

4d•$160,000 - $250,000•Onsite

About The Position

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.

Requirements

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.
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

Nice To Haves

Direct knowledge of the DC ecosystem strongly preferred

Responsibilities

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
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