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What You'll Do

We’re seeking a strategic and experienced operations leader to join our team as Director of Retirement Participant Operations. This role is responsible for overseeing the full lifecycle of retirement transaction processing—including contributions (Money In), payroll integration, distributions (Money Out), and corrections recordkeeping. You’ll lead a high-impact team, drive process improvements, and ensure compliance across a complex and evolving retirement services landscape. You’ll be responsible for:

+ Leading and developing a team of 3+ direct reports and oversee a span of 140+ employees, including dotted-line accountability to ~250 global employees.

+ Delivering operational results for all participant transaction processing functions within a recordkeeping environment to provide industry-leading quality and timeliness results across global locations.

+ Driving strategic initiatives and process improvements that align with business goals and regulatory changes.

+ Implementing policies and controls to mitigate financial, compliance, and reputational risks.

+ Collaborating cross-functionally to support enterprise-wide projects and initiatives.

+ Developing, maintaining, and evolving department plans, dashboards, KPIs, and performance metrics.

+ Managing a department budget, driving cost efficiency, and aligning staffing plans to business needs.

+ Leading talent-related activities including hiring, developing, coaching, succession planning, and employee engagement.

+ Influencing team culture and drive change management across leadership and staff.

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!

Who You Are

+ 10+ years of progressive leadership experience in retirement or financial service industry

+ Possess a strong knowledge of defined contribution and defined benefit administration, regulations, and competitive landscape

+ Proven leader in managing operations teams and driving performance and improvement

+ Have experience in human capital planning, resource allocation, and managing delivery against service level agreements (SLAs)

+ Proficiency in making data driven decisions to effectively manage people and process

+ Proven capability to build and sustain trusting relationships with internal stakeholders and external partners

+ Demonstrated ability to influence, build, and lead effective teams in a matrixed environment, delivering results while maintaining adaptability, flexibility, and big-picture focus

+ Ability to inspire, develop, and motivate staff at all levels, including frontline leaders and senior leadership

+ This position may be subject to SEC restrictions on personal political contributions.

Skills That Will Help You Stand Out

+ Strong background in retirement plan platforms, payroll integrations, and financial reconciliation.

+ You anticipate service needs, translate feedback into action, and empower front-line teams with the tools and training they need to exceed expectations.

+ Strategic Thinking: Ability to develop roadmaps, analyze workflows, and implement initiatives that scale efficiently across the organization.

+ Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.

+ People Development: Experience coaching leaders, managing performance, and cultivating a positive team culture focused on growth and engagement.

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)

$137000 - $207000 / 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

Yes

Work Environments

This role offers in-office, hybrid (blending at least three office days in a typical workweek), and remote work arrangements (only if residing more than 30 miles from Des Moines, IA, Raleigh NC, or Charlotte, NC). You’ll work with your leader to figure out which option may align best based on several factors.

Job Level

We’ll consider talent at the next level with the right experiences and skills.

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 (https://www.principal.com/about-us/careers) 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

10/9/2025

Most Recently Posted Date

10/9/2025

LinkedIn Remote Hashtag

\#LI-Remote