What You'll Do

We’re adding a newly created leadership role within Asset Management to help drive the strategy, governance, and growth of our Collective Investment Trust (CIT) platform — a fast-growing and increasingly important part of our retirement business.

With in-house trust capabilities, our CIT platform offers differentiated flexibility across product design, fiduciary governance, and distribution. This role sits at the center of investments, trust governance, and distribution, ensuring the CIT business scales strategically while maintaining strong fiduciary and risk standards.

This is a highly cross-functional role at the intersection of strategy, product, retirement markets, and fiduciary oversight.

CIT Strategy, Product & Commercial Alignment

• Help shape the strategy and evolution of the CIT platform within the retirement channel
• Partner with investment teams on the design, launch, and ongoing management of CIT strategies
• Evaluate product opportunities based on market demand, retirement trends, and competitive positioning
• Act as a bridge between Asset Management Distribution and Retirement Distribution to ensure alignment on product structure, positioning, and commercialization

Fiduciary Governance & Risk Oversight

• Serve as a subject matter expert on fiduciary responsibilities and governance structures related to CITs
• Support oversight aligned with OCC (or similar) regulations, ERISA requirements, and internal risk frameworks
• Partner with Legal, Compliance, Risk, and Trust teams to maintain a scalable and effective governance model
• Identify and help mitigate operational, regulatory, and reputational risks tied to CIT operations
• Support internal audits, regulatory exams, and ongoing risk assessments

Leadership & Cross-Functional Influence

• Lead initiatives across Investments, Trust, Legal, Compliance, Operations, Finance, and Distribution
• Influence decisions and drive outcomes in a highly matrixed environment without formal reporting authority
• Prepare materials and insights for senior leadership on platform strategy, regulatory developments, and growth opportunities

Who You Are

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field; advanced degree or professional designation (e.g., CFA, CPA, JD) preferred.
• 10+ years of experience, including direct asset management experience, complemented by work with retirement investment products, fiduciary or trust structures, or commingled vehicles (e.g., CITs, collective funds, private funds).
• Deep understanding of CIT structures, fiduciary responsibilities, and retirement plan frameworks (ERISA/401(k)), including experience with commingled investment vehicles (not personal trust or estate administration)
• Familiarity with governance models involving OCC (or similar regulation)-regulated trust structures strongly preferred
• Demonstrated ability to lead initiatives, align stakeholders, and influence across teams without direct authority
• Strong business acumen with the ability to connect product structure, fiduciary considerations, and commercial strategy
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to translate complex fiduciary and investment topics for diverse audiences

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)

$157000 - $213000 / 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

Location(s)

We’re open to considering in-office or hybrid talent. The preferred location is to work out of our World Headquarters located in Des Moines, IA. We will also consider talent in Charlotte, Chicago, Denver or New York City.

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 and 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

1/27/2026

Most Recently Posted Date

1/27/2026