VP, Sales Operations Support

KKR; Hartford (CT); On-site; USD 150,000 - 185,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Discretionary bonus

Job summary

KKR is seeking a Vice President of Sales Operations Support to lead the SOS organization, aligning service delivery with sales strategy and partner relationships. The role emphasizes data-driven improvements, self-service adoption, and measurable efficiencies across Annuity and Preneed lines.

The VP will drive collaboration between Operations and Sales, turning escalation data into process enhancements, and will mentor managers to build organizational capability and succession depth within SOS.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
• 8+ years in annuity or life insurance operations with leadership responsibility.
• Proven ability to influence cross-functionally with business leaders.
• Ability to drive operational efficiency and self-service adoption.
• Strong strategic thinking and ability to translate strategy into plans.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Own the SOS model end-to-end, resolving service requests and escalations across internal and external partners.
• Lead SOS organization through managers, team leads, and analysts for end-to-end resolution.
• Build trusted relationships with sales teams and firm partners as the senior Operations partner.
• Identify root causes of escalation trends and drive cross-functional improvements.
• Drive efficiencies by streamlining workflows, reducing rework, and improving cycle times.

Skills

Leadership

Relationship building

Cross-functional influence

Operational efficiency

Data analysis

Project management

Strategic thinking

Communication

Client/partner focus

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

Job description

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.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Vice President (VP), Sales Operations Support is responsible for defining the vision, strategy, and service model that supports Global Atlantic Individual Markets wholesalers, financial professionals, and firm back-offices. Leading through managers and team leaders, the VP oversees the Sales Operations Support (SOS) organization to deliver a seamless, high-quality, service experience that strengthens distribution relationships and drives measurable business results.

This role serves as a key connection point between Operations and the Sales organization. The VP is accountable for building and maintaining trusted relationships with sales teams and sales leaders, representing the voice of Operations in distribution-facing forums, and partnering with functional business leaders across the organization to turn service and escalation data into meaningful process improvement. The VP is expected to drive measurable efficiencies across service delivery, champion self-service offerings that reduce manual effort and accelerate resolution, and use data to anticipate needs, manage performance, and continuously improve the support model.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Own the SOS model end-to-end, ensuring service requests, escalations, and accommodation requests from internal and external partners (including TPAs such as EXL and Zinnia) are resolved accurately, timely, and within documented guidelines – serving as the accountable escalation owner even when resolution requires coordination outside the SOS team.
• Provide leadership and direction for the Sales Operations Support organization, leading through managers, team leads, and analysts responsible for end-to-end resolution of service requests across the Annuity and Preneed lines of business.
• Build and maintain strong, trusted relationships with sales teams, sales leaders, and firm partners serving as the senior Operations partner in distribution-facing discussions and creating an environment of collaboration, transparency, and open dialogue.
• Partner with functional business leaders (e.g., New Business, Post Issue) to identify root causes behind escalation trends and drive cross-functional process improvements, taking ownership of resolution beyond what SOS can control directly.
• Drive efficiencies across the service model by identifying opportunities to streamline workflows, eliminate rework, standardize processes, and improve cycle times, straight-through-processing (STP) rates, and SLA attainment.
• Champion and expand self-service offerings for sales partners, financial professionals, and firm back-office representatives — promoting adoption of tools and capabilities that reduce manual inquiry volume and accelerate issue resolution.
• Establish the service strategy, direction, policies, and performance standards for the team, and ensure consistent execution against customer service metrics and performance deliverables.
• Ensure designated firms receive a coordinated, relationship-driven service experience with clear ownership, proactive communication, data insights, and timely escalation resolution across all operational needs.
• Leverage data and analytics to track trends, identify root causes, and translate findings into actionable process improvement recommendations; manage team performance, and prioritize improvement initiatives; prepare and deliver executive-level presentations on key service indicators, risks, and strategic initiatives.
• Manage resource allocation, capacity planning, and workflow across both teams to ensure day-to-day service continuity and scalable support as the business grows.
• Develop and mentor managers and team leads, building organizational capability, bench strength, and succession depth within the SOS organization.

QUALIFICATIONS

• A Bachelor’s degree, and/or equivalent experience.
• 8+ years of related experience in annuity or life insurance operations, including progressive leadership responsibility and experience leading teams and/or leaders.
• Demonstrated success building and maintaining relationships with sales organizations, distribution partners, and senior stakeholders.
• Prove ability to influence and drive outcomes cross-functionally with business leaders outside one’s direct organization.
• Ability to drive operational efficiency, process improvement, and adoption of self-service or automation capabilities.
• Strong strategic thinking with the ability to set direction and translate strategy into executable plans and measurable outcomes.
• Strong focus on delivering positive client and partner experiences.
• Advanced data gathering, analysis, and interpretation skills, with the ability to use data to inform decisions and manage performance.
• Experience overseeing resolution through third-party administrators or other outsourced service partners
• Strong research, problem-solving, analytical, and project management skills.
• Outstanding interpersonal and leadership skills, with a proven ability to motivate, influence, and lead teams and leaders through complex problem resolution.
• Proven leadership skills with the ability to influence across all levels, including business and distribution leaders.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with team members, business partners, and senior leaders.

This is the expected annual base salary range for this 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 - $150,000 to $185,000.

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.