Communications - Senior Manager or Vice President or Principal

KKR is a global investment firm with nearly five decades of investment management experience with ~US$638 billion in AUM as of December 31, 2024. KKR is headquartered in New York and has a presence in 26 cities across four continents – combining local expertise with a global perspective.

KKR globally manages investments across multiple asset classes, including private equity, real assets, and credit strategies. In addition, KKR Capital Markets supports our firm, portfolio companies, and clients by providing tailored capital markets advice and financing solutions. KKR Capstone, with a mission to create value for all of our stakeholders by identifying and delivering sustainable operational performance within KKR portfolio companies, is also an integral part of the firm’s overall approach to value creation. KKR’s Client Solutions team seeks to diversify KKR’s client base to include new investors across all regions and institution types, including a growing focus on individual, private wealth investors.

KKR first established its presence in Asia Pacific in 2005. Since then, KKR has grown to approximately US$80 billion in AUM across all asset classes and strategies, including private equity, infrastructure, real estate, credit, impact, and growth equity. In Asia Pacific, KKR has ~600 executives working across business functions and asset classes with offices in Beijing, Gurugram, Hong Kong, Mumbai, Seoul, Shanghai, Singapore, Sydney, and Tokyo. While nearly all executives are local to their market – and are adept at proprietary sourcing, relationship building, and best practices considerations within their markets – each executive works closely with KKR’s team worldwide to leverage the firm’s experience and expertise.

In 2006, KKR set up its Tokyo office and become among the first private equity firms to enter Japan. Over the next two decades, Japan would become a core part of KKR’s strategy in Asia Pacific and globally. Japan makes up ~40% of KKR’s Asia Pacific portfolio and is the firm’s largest exposure in the region, with capital being deployed at five times the pace relative to the last decade. Today, KKR manages ~US$18 billion in AUM in Japan, and is invested across all its main asset classes in the country. The firm has also made strong inroads into new but important areas such as insurance and private wealth.

KKR has a very collaborative culture where an individual’s success is the result of good skills and acumen in the role and ability to leverage the whole firm. They think in terms of “we”, not “I” and we know we are better together than one single person – no matter how skilled that person is. “One Firm,” collaboration, operating with “like and trust” are core to how KKR operates. The person who joins in this role is joining a communications team but also a team of ~2,800 people across the firm and we all work together to support each other in delivering the best of KKR to our companies and clients. They are all on the same team. They operate with one P&L where most places have silos. It’s not for everyone but their one team mindset keeps KKR special and enables them to achieve great things for their clients. 

Position Summary:

KKR’s communications team is responsible for internal and external communications, management of KKR’s brand and reputation, and serves as spokespeople for the firm.

KKR is looking for a well-rounded communications professional to join KKR Asia’s communications team and support external and internal communications across KKR’s six core markets in the Asia Pacific region, with a particular focus on Japan. The ideal candidate is a team player with:

• A strong understanding of the cultural and business landscape of Japan and Asia Pacific;
• Excellent writing skills;
• Financial communications and media relations experience in the areas of alternative asset management, wealth management, or insurance
• Acute attention to detail; and
• Japanese proficiency and knowledge.

KKR’s communications team reports to the firm’s Chief Administrative Officer. The position formally reports to KKR’s Asia Pacific Communications Lead. The role will be based in Tokyo. While the role will primarily focus on KKR’s Japan activities, the position will be expected to support KKR’s Asia Pacific activities and occasionally provide support for KKR’s international businesses and digital assets.

Responsibilities Include:

• Working alongside KKR’s Global Communications team to protect and enhance the firm’s brand and reputation by supporting corporate communications strategy, including external and internal communications across asset classes. The primary market will be Japan, followed by Asia Pacific.
• Writing for all mediums, including internal and external announcements, executive remarks, web / social media copy, talking points, op-eds, and other leave-behind collaterals
• Collaborating with colleagues in Japan, across Asia and globally to develop integrated communications programs that ensure consistency of messaging and align with market, regional, and global objectives.
• Supporting communications efforts around investment and M&A activity, with a primary focus on Japan. This entails close collaboration with colleagues, members of KKR’s portfolio companies, and external agencies to ensure effective communication with various stakeholders, including the media.
• Providing strategic communications counsel to key KKR executives, subsidiaries, e.g. KJR Management, and, on occasion, executives at portfolio companies, with a particular focus on Japan.
• Supporting day-to-day media activities and assisting with media monitoring and KKR’s digital media efforts. Adhering to editorial style guides for communications content to ensure accuracy and clarity.
• Ensuring that all communications projects are executed in conformance with legal, regulatory, risk, and other applicable standards.

The Successful Candidate will Possess the Following Skills and Qualifications:

• Minimum 5 years of experience in financial communications, preferably within an alternative asset management firm, investment bank, a wealth management firm, or public relations agency in Japan.
• Media relations experience and top-tier business and financial media relationships in Japan, including experience developing and executing on various media
• Well-developed strategic thinking, attention to detail, and tactical execution skills.
• Proven ability to take initiative and handle multiple projects simultaneously, takes a hands-on approach to work, has a critical eye to detail, and ensures deadlines are
• Ability to manage highly sensitive, confidential information with complete
• Strong interpersonal and communications skills, both written and
• Ability to work across borders, cultures, and time zones, and demonstrates flexibility of communication style in order to operate effectively. An interest in business travel is
• Experience managing sensitive corporate issues and/or
• Team player capable of working with internal and external stakeholders in a way that reflects the firm’s core values and principles (high integrity, grounded, committed to excellence, respectful).