Americas Benefits & Wellness Lead

Stage; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 145,000 - 175,000; Full time

Job summary

Stage, a leading investment firm KKR, is seeking an experienced Benefits leader based in Boston to manage benefits programs, including health, retirement, and wellness initiatives for the Americas. This role involves enhancing the benefits strategy, optimizing operations, and ensuring employee engagement with benefits offerings.

The ideal candidate will have over 10 years of experience in benefits plan strategy and management, including significant knowledge of healthcare and retirement plans. Strong project management and communication skills are essential for success in this role.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience with US employee benefits plan development and strategy.
• Experience managing vendor/broker relationships.
• Deep knowledge of healthcare and retirement plans.

Responsibilities

• Manage Americas benefits plans and vendor relationships.
• Analyze and enhance benefits operations and workflows.
• Develop marketing strategies for benefits programs.

Skills

Project management

Excellent communication

Vendor management

Analytical skills

Collaborative teamwork

Education

Bachelor's degree in business, finance, HR or related field

Tools

Workday

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.

TEAM OVERVIEW

KKR’s Human Capital Benefits & Wellness team is responsible for implementing and enhancing the benefits programs and healthcare services for all KKR employees. The team analyzes workflows and technology solutions to align with the firm’s culture and value while providing optimal experiences. The team is also involved in every employees’ journey at KKR, from onboarding to off‑boarding, travel and transfers, and even personal and professional milestones including work anniversaries.

POSITION SUMMARY

KKR’s Global Benefits function is looking for an experienced Benefits leader to help manage KKR’s benefits, including healthcare, retirement, work‑life, and wellness policies/programs for the Americas.

Based in Boston and reporting into the Global Head of Benefits & Wellness, this role is dedicated to driving the benefits and wellness strategy across the Americas (US/Canada/Bermuda). This individual will manage key initiatives to enhance KKR’s benefits with a significant focus on achieving greater efficiencies in benefits operations/administration, optimizing the impact of our benefits point solution ecosystem, and increasing KKR employees’ understanding and utilization of benefits plans. This is a challenging role where you will use your analytical, vendor management and project management skills as well as your creativity and resourcefulness to execute this multi‑faced strategy. Successful candidate will be an effective communicator, collaborative team player and lifelong learner.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Manage the Americas benefits plans and associated vendor/broker relationships as well as the annual US Open Enrollment cycle
• Analyze and enhance the overall benefits and healthcare process workflows and technology solutions, with a focus on optimizing benefits operations with key stakeholders such as Payroll, Human Capital Operations/HRIS, Human Capital Business Partners, Legal, and Employee Relations.
• Manage the Americas retirement plan/wealth advisory strategy, governance and operations, including 401(k) and RRSP with a focus on enhancing the long‑term financial well‑being of employees
• Execute benefits and wellness strategies by benchmarking market‑peer firm practices, identifying gaps, and implementing innovative, market‑leading solutions that align with KKR’s culture and values
• Enhance the benefits governance framework and drive operational efficiencies across all benefits programs and systems
• Partner with Finance/Payroll teams to ensure thorough analysis, trend forecasting, and budgeting to drive effective business planning for both short‑ and long‑term needs
• Own the development and delivery of effective marketing strategies, communication materials and policy documents for Americas benefits and wellness programs
• Identify and drive enhanced benefits‑focused employee experiences in areas such as onboarding, off‑boarding, global mobility/transfers, and other work‑life milestones such as work anniversaries, birth/adoption of a child, etc.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in business, finance, HR or related field, or equivalent practical experience
• Experience working in a dynamic, pressurized and matrixed environment with a focus on collaboration and key stakeholder management
• Motivated self‑starter with the ability to work with a high degree of autonomy
• Commitment to confidentiality and experience interacting with employees’ complex private medical and financial matters; HIPAA training to be completed upon hire
• 10+ years of experience with US employee benefits plan development, delivery & strategy
  • Proven track record in health/wellness and work‑life programs
  • Significant experience in retirement plans from a governance standpoint
• Experience as a people manager with direct reports in multiple locations

CRITICAL COMPETENCIES FOR SUCCESS

• Deep knowledge of Americas benefits plan design including healthcare, work‑life and retirement plans along with associated complexities of plan administration, associated payroll processes, regulatory requirements and benefits taxability
• Exceptional project management skills with the ability to deliver on tight deadlines with follow through and attention to detail
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to interface with all levels of the organization, including senior business leaders
• Strong sense of accountability, sound personal judgment and commercial acumen, including an understanding of competitor offerings and general marketplace with the ability to use data to influence key stakeholders
• Proven ability in vendor/broker/consultant relationship management and establishing effective partnerships with external service providers to ensure quality service, including but not limited to working with HRIS systems such as Workday
• Successful record of building efficient operational processes and demonstrating influence with key internal and external stakeholders
• Experience managing processes, reporting and benefits data in HRIS systems such as Workday

Base Salary Range: $145,000 – $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.

KKR will provide reasonable accommodations as required by applicable federal, state, and local laws. Individuals seeking an accommodation for the application or interview process should email [e-mail]. 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 [e-mail]. 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.