2027 MBA Internship Program - KKR Capstone

Careers at KKR; Menlo Park (CA); On-site; USD 170,000 - 175,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

KKR Capstone is the portfolio operations and value creation arm of the global PE fund, KKR. We partner with our deal teams and portfolio company management teams to drive the most important operational issues on the CEO and Board of Directors’ agenda, including top-line growth, cost optimization, organizational structure and capability, capital investment, and strategic M&A initiatives.

We work as owner-operators, not advisors, which means we have full accountability to drive change and deliver

Qualifications

• Current 1st year MBA student with anticipated graduation date of Spring 2028.

Responsibilities

• Work with portfolio company management on value creation levers such as growth, cost optimization, organizational design, and strategic initiatives.
• Partner with deal teams on late-stage diligence and 100-day planning; help identify, size and scope value creation efforts.

Education

First year MBA student

Job description

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.

KKR 2027 MBA Internship Program - KKR Capstone

New York and Menlo Park

KKR Capstone is seeking current 1st-year MBA students (graduation date: Spring 2028) for our 2027 MBA Internship Program and to be an active part of a team-oriented environment. The internship is 10-weeks in length and will take place in our New York and Menlo Park offices. Following the conclusion of the internship, 2028 full-time offers as Associates may be extended to exceptional performers.

KKR Capstone

KKR Capstone is the portfolio operations and value creation arm of the global PE fund, KKR. We partner with our deal teams and portfolio company management teams to drive the most important operational issues on the CEO and Board of Directors’ agenda, including top-line growth, cost optimization, organizational structure and capability, capital investment, and strategic M&A initiatives. We work as owner-operators, not advisors, which means we have full accountability to drive change and deliver results at our portfolio companies.

On a day-to-day basis, KKR Capstone executives interact with a broad range of company personnel including the Board, C-suite and line-level operators. The majority of KKR Capstone team members have previous experience in management consulting. While our executives heavily leverage the skills and experience gained in consulting, they spend the bulk of their time identifying, rapidly prototyping, and implementing operational improvement initiatives (i.e. less time doing PowerPoint, more time dealing with real general management challenges and executing real initiatives).

KKR Capstone is a unique “CEO University” for MBA graduates. We provide opportunities for high-performing candidates to drive real operating change and value creation in a private equity environment, gaining valuable experience as general managers. KKR Capstone executives are expected to take ownership of key priorities and initiatives at the portfolio company, are held accountable for individual results, and are typically the primary agents of change within the organization. Over time, team members can rise within KKR Capstone, transition into opportunities within the broader KKR firm, or take senior operating roles inside or outside the KKR portfolio. Due to the unique hands-on operating experience that KKR Capstone executives gain, ~70% of alums who have left the team in the past decade are now C-suite execs, and more than 1/3 are CEOs.

In appreciation of the sponsorship that many former consultants have to return to their prior firm, KKR provides competitive tuition reimbursement for qualifying new joiners.

What You’ll Do

Working closely with portfolio company management teams, KKR Capstone Associates partner on a wide range of value creation levers, including:

• Growth and Commercial – sales force effectiveness, pricing and packaging, consumer insights and cross-portfolio commercial opportunities
• Efficiency and Cost – zero-based budgeting, organizational design and G&A efficiency, technology cost optimization and procurement
• Strategic and Organizational Initiatives – carve-outs, merger integration and synergy capture, AI opportunities and risks assessment
• Late-stage Diligence – partner with deal teams on late-stage diligence efforts, help KKR identify, size, and scope value creation efforts, support 100-day planning

Associates also play an important role identifying talent needs and helping recruit and hire top talent into our portfolio companies.

What You Should Bring

• Current 1st year MBA student with anticipated graduation date of Spring 2028
• Candidates must embody KKR’s core values, in particular: unquestioned integrity, a strong work ethic, and a commitment to teamwork and excellence.
• Ideal candidates have a genuine enthusiasm and curiosity for real assets investing, a strong understanding of fundamental business analysis, and an outstanding professional and academic performance record (e.g., top tier performance ratings, early promotions, top class rankings).
• Comfort using AI and data tools (e.g., for rapid analysis, scenario modeling, or process automation) to accelerate operational diagnosis and decision-making

This is the expected annual base salary range for this Menlo Park-based position. Actual salaries may vary based on factors, such as skill, experience, and qualification for the role. Employees may be eligible for a discretionary bonus, based on factors such as individual and team performance.

Base Salary Range

$170,000—$175,000 USD

This is the expected annual base salary range for this New York-based position. Actual salaries may vary based on factors, such as skill, experience, and qualification for the role. Employees may be eligible for a discretionary bonus, based on factors such as individual and team performance.

Base Salary Range

$170,000—$175,000 USD

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.