Americas Benefits & Wellness Lead

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

Job summary

KKR is seeking an experienced Benefits leader to manage benefits programs for the Americas. This role is based in Boston and involves enhancing healthcare, retirement, and wellness policies. You will work closely with various stakeholders to optimize benefits administration and improve employee engagement.

The ideal candidate has over 10 years of relevant experience, strong project and vendor management skills, and will lead strategic initiatives to improve efficiencies. A bachelor's degree in a relevant field is required, along with a deep understanding of employee benefits.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience with US employee benefits plan development.
• Experience working in a dynamic, pressurized, and matrixed environment.
• Proven ability in vendor/broker/consultant relationship management.

Responsibilities

• Manage the Americas benefits plans and vendor relationships.
• Analyze and enhance benefits workflows and technology solutions.
• Drive benefits and wellness strategy across the Americas.

Skills

Project management

Vendor management

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Stakeholder management

Education

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

Tools

HRIS systems (e.g. 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 values while providing optimal experiences. The team is also involved in every employee’s 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 manage KKR’s benefits—including healthcare, retirement, work‑life, and wellness policies/programs for the Americas. Based in Boston and reporting to the Global Head of Benefits & Wellness, this role will drive the benefits and wellness strategy across the Americas (US/Canada/Bermuda). The incumbent will manage key initiatives to enhance KKR’s benefits with a significant focus on improving efficiencies in benefits operations/administration, optimizing the benefits point‑solution ecosystem, and increasing employee understanding and utilization of benefits plans. The role requires analytical, vendor‑management, and project‑management skills, and a collaborative, lifelong learner mindset.

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.

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—including proven track record in health/wellness and work‑life programs and 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 and associated complexities of plan administration, 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 the 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.

Salary Information

Base Salary Range: $145,000—$175,000 USD. Employees may be eligible for a discretionary bonus, based on factors such as individual and team performance.

Equal Opportunity Employment

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 [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.