Head of Sales - Annuity

Careers at KKR; Ohio; On-site; USD 250,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

KKR's Global Atlantic division seeks a Head of Sales – Annuity to lead U.S. individual annuity distribution and own sales strategy, P&L, and go-to-market execution across Broker-Dealer, Bank, RIA, and Wirehouse channels. Lead a national field and internal sales organization to drive targets and profitability.

The role requires deep annuity industry expertise, a proven distribution scaling track record, and strong network within the U.S. retirement advisor community. Travel ~40-50% is expected.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of progressive experience in U.S. annuity distribution, with senior sales leadership roles.
• Deep multi-channel distribution experience across IMO, Broker-Dealer, Bank, RIA and Wirehouse.
• Strong knowledge of fixed, fixed indexed, indexed-linked and variable annuities and retirement landscape.
• Proven ability to scale large external and internal wholesaler organizations.

Responsibilities

• Own the annuity sales P&L and deliver annual sales, market share, product-mix, and profitability targets.
• Define and execute multi-channel distribution strategy across Broker-Dealer, Bank, RIA, and Wirehouse.
• Lead and develop national sales organization including Divisional/Regional Leaders and wholesalers.
• Sponsor strategic firm relationships with key partners.
• Collaborate with Product, Pricing, Marketing, Investments, and Operations to shape product roadmap.
• Design and govern the sales operating model including territory design, incentives, forecasting, and pipeline management.
• Ensure Salesforce-driven data, pipeline discipline, and accountability across teams.
• Ensure regulatory and risk standards across jurisdictions.

Skills

Sales Leadership

Channel Management

Annuity Knowledge

Strategic Partnerships

Relationship Building

Education

Bachelor’s degree

MBA preferred

Tools

Salesforce

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

The Individual Markets Distribution team is responsible for driving profitable annuity sales across Global Atlantic’s core distribution channels — Independent Marketing Organizations (IMOs), Broker-Dealers, Banks, RIAs, and Wirehouses. The team combines external wholesalers, internal sales, strategic partnerships, sales enablement, and analytics to deliver a differentiated advisor experience and to grow Global Atlantic’s position as a top-tier annuity provider in the U.S. retirement market.

POSITION SUMMARY

Global Atlantic is seeking a Head of Sales – Annuity to lead its U.S. individual annuity distribution business. Reporting to the Head of Individual Markets, this executive will own the annuity sales strategy, P&L, and go-to-market execution across distribution channels including Broker-Dealer, Bank, RIA, and Wirehouse. The Head of Sales will lead a national field and internal sales organization — including Divisionals and Regional Sales leaders, External and Internal Wholesalers — to meet and exceed sales, market share, and product-mix targets. This is a highly visible leadership role requiring deep annuity industry expertise, a proven track record of scaling distribution organizations, and a strong network across the U.S. retirement advisor community.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Own the annuity sales P&L: set and deliver on annual sales, market share, product-mix, and profitability targets across fixed, fixed indexed, registered index-linked, and variable annuity products.
• Define and execute the multi-channel distribution strategy across Broker-Dealer, Bank, RIA, and Wirehouse channels, including channel prioritization, and coverage model.
• Lead, coach, and develop a national sales organization of Divisional and Regional Sales leaders, External and Internal Wholesalers, and Sales Desk teams; build succession and talent pipelines for critical sales roles.
• Serve as the face of Global Atlantic’s annuity franchise with top distribution partners, key financial professionals, and industry forums; personally sponsor the most strategic firm relationships.
• Partner with Product, Pricing, Marketing, Investments, and Operations to shape the annuity product roadmap, pricing posture, and positioning based on advisor and consumer insight.
• Design and govern the sales operating model — territory design, coverage economics, incentive compensation, forecasting cadence, and pipeline management — in partnership with Sales Enablement, Finance, and Human Capital.
• Ensure a rigorous sales culture grounded in Salesforce discipline, data-driven pipeline and territory management, and clear activity/outcome accountability.
• Partner with Compliance, Legal, and Risk to ensure all sales, marketing, and advisor-facing activity meets regulatory and suitability standards across jurisdictions.

QUALIFICATIONS

• 15+ years of progressive experience in U.S. annuity distribution, with a substantial portion in senior sales leadership roles at a top-tier annuity carrier, asset manager, or distribution platform.
• Demonstrated track record of leading multi-channel annuity distribution (IMO, Broker-Dealer, Bank, RIA, and/or Wirehouse) at national scale, with clear evidence of sales, market-share, and margin growth.
• Deep expertise across annuity product lines — fixed, fixed indexed, registered index-linked, and variable — and a strong understanding of the U.S. retirement income landscape.
• Proven ability to build, scale, and lead large external and internal wholesaler organizations, including field leaders and sales desk teams.
• Established relationships with senior leaders at leading IMOs, Broker-Dealers, Banks, RIAs, and Wirehouses.
• Bachelor’s degree required; MBA or relevant advanced degree preferred.
• FINRA Series 7, 24, and 63 (or 66) and Life & Health licenses required, or ability to obtain within 90 days of hire.
• Willingness and ability to travel extensively within the U.S. (approximately 40-50%).

CRITICAL COMPETENCIES FOR SUCCESS

• Commercial leadership — sets an ambitious sales agenda, converts strategy into quota-carrying execution, and holds the organization accountable to numbers and mix.
• Distribution acumen — deep, current understanding of how annuities are sold across IMO, Broker-Dealer, Bank, RIA, and Wirehouse channels, and how to win with each.
• Talent leader — attracts, develops, and retains top sales talent; builds an inclusive, high-performance, coaching-oriented culture across a geographically distributed team.
• Executive presence and influence — a credible external face of the franchise with top distribution partners and internally with executive peers across Product, Investments, Finance, and Operations.
• Analytical and operating rigor — uses data, forecasting, and Salesforce discipline to manage pipeline, territory economics, and incentive design.
• Regulatory and risk mindset — commercially aggressive within clear compliance, suitability, and conduct guardrails.

This is the expected annual base salary range for this Pennsylvania-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

$250,000-$300,000 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.

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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 noticeapplies onlyto applicants and employees who work or will work in Massachusetts, in accordance with applicable state law.