EMEA Benefits and Wellness Manager

Company overview

KKR is a global investment firm focused on alternative asset management, capital markets, and insurance solutions. Its approach is built on disciplined, long-term investing, strong talent, and support for the growth of portfolio companies and communities. KKR also sponsors funds across private equity, credit, and real assets, while related insurance businesses provide retirement, life, and reinsurance products through Global Atlantic Financial Group.

Role overview

This position is based in Dublin and reports to the Head of EMEA/APAC Benefits in London. The role is responsible for supporting the administration and oversight of health and welfare benefits, retirement, leave, and wellness programs across EMEA, while also contributing to the design and execution of the region’s benefits and wellbeing strategy.

The company places value on diverse teams and is seeking someone who can bring fresh perspectives, capabilities, and experience to strengthen both the organization and its decision-making.

What you'll do

• Support the management of EMEA benefits programs, acting as a deputy to the Head of EMEA/APAC Benefits and taking responsibility for operational delivery, vendor coordination, and regional initiatives.
• Run annual benefits processes such as UK/Dublin pension auto-enrolment, UK LLP administration, and wider EMEA renewal cycles, while improving processes along the way.
• Act as the go-to expert for EMEA benefits matters, keeping current on health, risk, retirement, leave, and wellbeing programs, as well as relevant market and regulatory changes.
• Handle employee queries and escalations through the benefits mailbox, collaborating with vendors, brokers, and internal teams to resolve complex cases efficiently.
• Contribute to EMEA benefits strategy through benchmarking, survey participation, and the rollout of competitive, innovative solutions aligned with the firm’s culture and values.
• Prepare business cases and recommendations for benefit updates, including cost and impact analysis and presentations for senior leaders.
• Improve governance and operational standards by simplifying workflows and increasing efficiency across programs, systems, reporting, and controls.
• Work with Finance and Payroll on budgeting, forecasting, payroll coordination, and financial reporting to support both short- and long-term planning.
• Oversee benefits communications across EMEA, creating clear and engaging materials for email, intranet, guides, and policy documents.
• Manage leave-of-absence administration across EMEA, ensuring compliance with statutory and internal requirements, advising the HC team on policy interpretation, supporting Workday administration, and serving as an escalation point for complex matters.
• Help shape and deliver the EMEA wellness strategy by planning relevant local activities, managing vendor partnerships, working with Office Managers, and delivering initiatives and events that improve employee wellbeing and engagement.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to the Head of EMEA/APAC Benefits and represent the function with key stakeholders when needed.

Minimum qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, HR, or equivalent practical experience.
• Substantial experience in developing, implementing, administering, and governing EMEA employee benefit plans, including multi-country program management and regulatory compliance.
• Proven experience managing healthcare, risk, retirement, and wellness programs across several jurisdictions.
• Experience with international retirement plan design, implementation, administration, and ongoing governance.
• Good understanding of cross-border payroll, tax, and statutory requirements linked to employee benefits.
• Ability to lead regional initiatives, work with senior stakeholders, and influence outcomes across teams and geographies.
• Experience using HRIS platforms such as Workday for benefits administration, reporting, and data accuracy.

Preferred qualifications

• 7+ years of progressive experience in HR or Total Rewards, including 4–5 years focused on employee benefits strategy, design, administration, and governance across EMEA.
• Strong technical knowledge of healthcare, pension/retirement, leave, risk, and related employee benefit programs, including compliance, payroll, and tax considerations across multiple EMEA countries.
• Experience leading benefits operations and projects in fast-moving, high-pressure environments.
• Strong leadership and influencing ability, with experience working with senior leaders, cross-functional teams, and external providers.
• Ability to build and improve operating processes, governance structures, reporting, and HRIS administration.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to explain complex benefits topics to a regional audience and influence stakeholders at all levels.
• Self-driven and client-oriented, with the ability to manage multiple priorities independently while maintaining high standards of service and accuracy.
• Strong project and change management capabilities, with careful attention to detail and the ability to deliver on time.
• Commercial judgment and strategic thinking, including benchmarking, market awareness, and data-driven decision-making.
• Solid vendor management background, including partnerships with brokers, carriers, consultants, and service providers to ensure quality delivery and value.
• Experience improving employee engagement and communication so employees better understand and use benefits offerings.
• Exposure to global or APAC benefits is helpful and would support broader team coordination.

Equal opportunity and accommodations

KKR is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants without regard to protected characteristics under applicable law.

Reasonable accommodations are available during the application or interview process. Requests should be sent to Benefits@kkr.com. Messages about unrelated matters, including application follow-up, will not receive a reply.

If you are an individual with a disability or a disabled veteran and need help accessing KKR’s careers site, you may request a reasonable accommodation by emailing Benefits@kkr.com. Only emails submitted for this purpose will be responded to.

Additional legal notice

For Massachusetts applicants: Massachusetts law prohibits requiring or administering a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. Violations may result in criminal penalties and civil liability. This notice applies only to applicants and employees who work or will work in Massachusetts, as required by applicable state law.