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Capstone Associate, Human Capital Center of Excellence

KKR
Full-time
On-site
London, ENG

JobsCloseBy Editorial Insights

KKR is seeking a high performing regional lead for its Human Capital Center in London to launch European ownership programs, partner with C‑suite and deal teams, and adapt playbooks to local markets. The role blends strategic thinking with hands on execution, requiring 3–5+ years in management consulting or investment portfolio operations, strong Excel and Power BI, excellent stakeholder management, and a proven ability to deliver multi faceted projects that move turnover, engagement, and safety metrics. To apply, tailor your CV with measurable outcomes from ownership or workforce initiatives, show cross functional collaboration, highlight data driven decisions, and confirm willingness for on site work in London and fast paced ambiguity.

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.

KKR CAPSTONE OVERVIEW

KKR Capstone is KKR’s operations group and a unique “CEO University” for talented professionals. It gives high-performing candidates the opportunity to drive real operating change and value generation in a private equity environment, gaining valuable experience as general managers. KKR Capstone executives are expected to take ownership of key priorities and initiatives at the portfolio company, are held accountable for individual results, and are typically the primary agents of change within the organization. Team members can rise within KKR Capstone, transition into opportunities within the broader KKR firm, or take senior operating roles inside or outside the KKR portfolio. Due to the hands-on operating experience KKR Capstone executives gain, ~70% of alums who have left the team in the past decade are now C-suite execs, and more than 1/3 are CEOs.

KKR Capstone’s mission is to deliver exceptional returns on KKR’s investments by partnering with management teams to drive value in KKR portfolio companies, as well as integrating within deal teams to select the right assets. At portfolio companies, KKR Capstone drives the most important operational issues on the CEO and Board of Directors’ agendas, including top-line growth, cost optimization, organizational structure and capability, capital investment, and strategic M&A initiatives. During due diligence, KKR Capstone joins deal teams in evaluating potential acquisitions, including weighing in on crucial operational issues and value creation levers, assessing the target company’s market, and understanding the strength of the company’s position in the industry.

On a day-to-day basis, KKR Capstone executives interact with a broad range of company personnel including the Board, C-suite and line-level operators. The majority of KKR Capstone team members have previous experience in management consulting. While the executives heavily leverage the skills and experience gained in consulting, they spend the bulk of their time identifying, rapidly prototyping, and executing operational improvement initiatives (i.e. less time spent on PowerPoint and more time dealing with general management challenges).

KKR'S HUMAN CAPITAL CENTER AND BROAD BASED OWNERSHIP 

We believe people are a business’s most critical asset, from senior leaders to front‑line employees. Accordingly, we design equity ownership plans that include the entire workforce. This approach began with our private equity Industrials team in the US and has since expanded across all of KKR’s investing strategies and across the globe.  To date we have implemented more than 80 broad based ownership programs, including ~15 programs at companies headquartered in Europe. 

The impact on morale, engagement, and alignment has been remarkable. See our YouTube channel for videos such as:

Our commitment extends well beyond ownership. We invest heavily in worker safety, financial resilience and wellbeing, community engagement, employee education, and worker voice initiatives to drive holistic engagement and a high-performance ownership culture. See our latest thought leadership piece on this work. 

To unify these efforts, we created the Human Capital Center (HCC), which sits within KKR Capstone, our portfolio value creation team, as a key part of our value creation playbook. The HCC provides resources, best practices, and standards for KKR investment teams and portfolio company leaders worldwide.

We also partner with Ownership Works, a non‑profit organization that KKR helped to found.  O.W. is dedicated to scaling shared ownership to address economic insecurity, narrow wealth gaps, and strengthen companies and communities.

 

THE ROLE

We are seeking a high‑performing individual to serve as the regional lead for KKR’s Human Capital Center in London. The role reports to the global Capstone HCC leadership, and will have a local dotted line into the European Capstone team.  This leader will blend strategic thinking with hands‑on execution, partnering with KKR executives, portfolio company leaders, and cross‑functional teams to foster ownership cultures that drive employee engagement and business value.

Objectives:

  • Launch European ownership programs with fidelity and excitement including CEO sponsorship, strong employee communications, and a plan for post-launch follow-up
  • Drive tangible improvements in key people metrics across European ownership Programs, including lower voluntary turnover, higher engagement and ownership culture scores, and declining safety incidents over the course of KKR’s hold period, ultimately leading to consistent top performing investment outcomes

RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Inspire portfolio company executive teams about the potential of shared ownership and work alongside executive teams and deal teams to drive ownership program design, branding, and launches
  • Work with portfolio company executive teams to build ownership activation plans to bring ownership culture to life
  • Oversee the collection, cleaning, and analysis of all relevant HCC data and precedent materials for European ownership programs (e.g. plan structures, engagement survey results, human capital metrics) in partnership with KKR’s data ops team to drive actionable insights and high quality reporting
  • Organize cross-portfolio events (e.g. partner webinars, peer conversations, and functional conferences) both virtually and in-person to drive community and spread best practices
  • Support rigorous engagement survey analysis and follow-up at European portfolio companies in partnership with deal teams and portfolio company executives
  • Localize the playbooks and approaches for building ownership culture and financial wellbeing to European contexts, including developing networks of localized vendors and/or advisors
  • Contribute to global HCC efforts and knowledge base by building practical tools, refining program launch and engagement approaches, and sharing insights with global HCC working groups

PRIMARY QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS

  • Commercial mindset coupled with a mission orientation
  • Proactive, strategic thinker with advanced quantitative‑analysis skills (Excel; Power BI or similar)
  • Strong communication skills and the ability to partner with C-suite executives and investment professionals at all levels
  • Curiosity, adaptability, and a learning orientation in a fast‑paced, ambiguous environment
  • Excellent project‑management skills; able to juggle multiple engagements, take initiative, resolve issues, and deliver results
  • Strong work ethic, and commitment to KKR’s core values
  • 3-5+ years in management consulting or investment portfolio operations or other relevant experience
  • Organizational design and strategic human capital leadership experience a plus

#LI-DNI

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.