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What You'll Do

The Senior Director of Global Operational Excellence is a strategic leader responsible for optimizing global operations, aligning business strategy with execution, and driving initiatives that improve efficiency, client experience, and decision-making. This role leads cross-functional programs and fosters a culture of continuous improvement aligned with the firm’s growth objectives.

Strategic Planning:

Develop and execute multi-year operational strategies in collaboration with leadership. Align business goals with operational roadmaps, success metrics, and resource planning. Manage budgets in partnership with Finance and Business Operations.

Program & Portfolio Management:

Oversee a portfolio of high-impact programs, ensuring timely, on-budget delivery. Drive progress through KPI development, risk mitigation, and governance frameworks that promote transparency and accountability.

Operational Excellence:

Lead process optimization and innovation through automation, outsourcing, AI, and global delivery models. Collaborate across teams to enhance workflows and monitor performance against industry benchmarks.

Stakeholder Engagement:

Communicate strategic updates to executives and coordinate across business, technology, and operations teams. Build strong internal and external relationships to drive alignment and execution.

People Leadership:

Build an inclusive, high-performing team culture. Implement performance management practices, support career development, and attract top talent through effective hiring and recognition strategies.

About Us:

Operating at the intersection of financial services and technology, Principal builds financial tools that help our customers live better lives. We take pride in being a purpose-led firm, motivated by our mission to make financial security accessible to all. Our mission, integrity, and customer focus have made us a trusted leader for more than 140 years!

Principal Asset Management offers global asset management expertise across a diverse set of traditional and alternative asset classes. Check us out at www.principalam.com !

Who You Are

+ Bachelor’s degree

+ 10+ years of experience in strategic planning/execution, program management or operations leadership roles, or related roles

+ Experience in the asset management industry and understanding of the investment process

+ Familiarity with regulatory and compliance considerations within financial services

+ Experience managing complex, cross functional initiatives with executive-level visibility. Ability to build relationships, navigate organizational structures, and work across multiple functions to ensure alignment

+ Prior experience with strategic planning, forecasting, change management

+ Experience working with technology teams and understanding digital transformation

+ Demonstrated ability to lead through influence in a global, matrixed organization

+ Team leadership

Skills That Will Help You Stand Out

+ Familiarity with client experience technologies, investment operations workflows, and data analytics ecosystems (eg. Salesforce, CRIMS, Eagle, Aladdin, Bloomberg)

+ Proficiency in project management tools (e.g., JIRA, Smartsheet, Asana) and data visualization platforms (e.g., Tableau, Power BI); experience with Agile/Lean methodologies

+ Strong analytical, communication, organizational, problem solving, and stakeholder management skills

+ High emotional intelligence, discretion, and ability to influence without authority

+ Ability to synthesize complex information and present it in a clear, actionable format across all levels of the organization

This position requires a willingness to travel, globally, as needed. Extensive travel is not expected.

Salary Range Information

Salary ranges below reflect targeted base salaries. Non-sales positions have the opportunity to participate in a bonus program. Sales positions are eligible for sales incentives, and in some instances a bonus plan, whereby total compensation may far exceed base salary depending on individual performance. Actual compensation for all roles will be based upon geographic location, work experience, education, licensure requirements and/or skill level and will be finalized at the time of offer.

Salary Range (Non-Exempt expressed as hourly; Exempt expressed as yearly)

$174000 - $236000 / year

Time Off Program

Flexible Time Off (FTO) is provided to salaried (exempt) employees and provides the opportunity to take time away from the office with pay for vacation, personal or short-term illness. Employees don’t accrue a bank of time off under FTO and there is no set number of days provided.

Pension Eligible

No

Additional Information

Location(s)

We’re open to considering in-office or hybrid talent. Locations for hybrid talent are New York City, Des Moines, Charlotte, Chicago, or Seattle. You’ll work with your leader to figure out which option may align best based on several factors You can check out what our Global Headquarters looks like here: https://youtu.be/-hCqsfzlabk?si=qsFjvfrCaOOGY7Xn

Work Authorization/Sponsorship

At this time, we're not considering applicants that need any type of immigration sponsorship (additional work authorization or permanent work authorization) now or in the future to work in the United States. This includes, but IS NOT LIMITED TO: F1-OPT, F1-CPT, H-1B, TN, L-1, J-1, etc. For additional information around work authorization needs please use the following links.

Nonimmigrant Workers (https://www.uscis.gov/working-in-the-united-states/temporary-nonimmigrant-workers) and Green Card for Employment-Based Immigrants (https://www.uscis.gov/green-card/green-card-eligibility/green-card-for-employment-based-immigrants)

Investment Code of Ethics

For Principal Asset Management positions, you’ll need to follow an Investment Code of Ethics related to personal and business conduct as well as personal trading activities for you and members of your household. These same requirements may also apply to other positions across the organization.

Experience Principal

At Principal, we value connecting on both a personal and professional level. Together, we’re imagining a more purpose-led future for financial services – and that starts with you. Our success depends on the unique experiences, backgrounds, and talents of our employees. And we support our employees the same way we support our customers: with comprehensive, competitive benefit offerings crafted to protect their physical, financial, and social well-being. Check out our careers site to learn more about our purpose, values and benefits.

Principal** **is an Equal Opportunity Employer

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.

Posting Window

We will accept applications for 3 full days following the Original Posting Date, after which the posting may remain open or be removed based upon applications received. If we choose to post the job again, we will accept additional applications for at least 1 full day following the Most Recently Posted Date. Please submit applications in a timely manner as there is no guarantee the posting will be available beyond the applicable deadline.

Original Posting Date

7/18/2025

Most Recently Posted Date

7/18/2025