Assistant Director, Compliance

Principal Financial Group; Des Moines (IA); Remote; USD 127,000 - 171,000; Full time

Job summary

Principal Financial Group is seeking an Assistant Director - Compliance to lead AML governance and program administration for broker-dealer and RIAs. You will collaborate with the AML Officer and global teams to manage risk assessments, training, and regulatory change management while leveraging AI and data analytics to enhance compliance effectiveness.

The role emphasizes cross-functional partnership, program reporting, and oversight of examinations, with a focus on operational efficiency and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent required; 8+ years in AML, financial crimes compliance, regulatory compliance, risk management, or related field.
• Experience administering/regulatory compliance programs including governance, risk assessments, testing, audits, and change management.
• Strong understanding of AML regulatory requirements for broker-dealers and RIAs; experience with other regulated financial services is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate AML governance activities and program administration across multiple teams globally.
• Support regulatory examinations, internal audits, and inquiries by coordinating responses and documentation.
• Develop governance materials, dashboards, and metrics to track program performance and regulatory developments.
• Identify opportunities to improve operational effectiveness through data analytics, AI, automation, and technology-enabled processes.
• Build cross-functional relationships to drive execution of regulatory and governance activities.

Skills

Relationship-building

Project management

Operational skills

Analytical skills

Communication skills

AML compliance

Regulatory program oversight

Education

Bachelor's degree

FINRA Series 7/24/65/66 licenses

Certifications: CAMS/CFCS/CRCM

Tools

AI applications

Data analytics

Workflow automation

Compliance technologies

Job description

What You'll Do

We're seeking an Assistant Director - Compliance to support the Enterprise Financial Crimes team and partner closely with the AML Officer in the oversight and administration of AML programs supporting Principal's broker-dealer and registered investment adviser (RIA) businesses. In this role, you will help coordinate AML governance activities, risk assessments, examinations, regulatory initiatives, reporting, and ongoing program administration while collaborating with compliance, legal, risk, operations, and business teams around the globe.

The position may also support broader Enterprise Financial Crimes initiatives and projects involving other regulated investment structures and financial services businesses, as appropriate. Success in this role requires strong relationship-building, project management, operational, analytical, and technology skills, including the ability to identify opportunities to responsibly leverage artificial intelligence (AI) and other emerging technologies to enhance compliance program effectiveness, operational efficiency, and regulatory oversight.

You’ll have the opportunity to:

• Partner closely with the AML Officer in the oversight, administration, and continuous enhancement of AML programs supporting Principal's broker-dealer and registered investment adviser (RIA) businesses.
• Coordinate and administer core AML program activities, including risk assessments, annual reviews, training, testing, regulatory change management, issue management, and governance reporting to help ensure regulatory obligations are met.
• Collaborate with compliance, legal, risk, operations, technology, and business teams globally to support the effective implementation and ongoing operation of AML controls and program requirements.
• Provide AML compliance consultation and subject matter expertise on regulatory requirements, program expectations, risk management practices, and control frameworks.
• Support regulatory examinations, internal audits, independent testing activities, and regulatory inquiries by coordinating responses, organizing documentation, facilitating stakeholder engagement, and monitoring remediation efforts.
• Develop and maintain governance materials, management reporting, metrics, and dashboards that provide insight into program performance, regulatory developments, key risks, and remediation activities.
• Monitor regulatory developments, emerging financial crimes risks, and industry trends, helping assess impacts to AML programs, policies, procedures, controls, and governance practices.
• Assist with the development, maintenance, and enhancement of AML-related policies, procedures, standards, risk assessments, and program documentation.
• Identify opportunities to improve operational effectiveness through process improvement, workflow optimization, data analytics, artificial intelligence (AI), automation, and other emerging technologies, while supporting appropriate governance and risk management practices.
• Coordinate AML initiatives and strategic projects, helping ensure deliverables are executed, stakeholders remain informed, and program priorities remain on track.
• Build strong cross-functional relationships and facilitate collaboration among compliance, risk, legal, operations, technology, and business partners across multiple business lines and jurisdictions.
• Support broader Enterprise Financial Crimes initiatives and AML oversight activities involving other regulated investment structures or financial services businesses, as appropriate, in coordination with designated AML Officers and compliance partners.

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

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent required; 8+ years of experience in AML, financial crimes compliance, regulatory compliance, risk management, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience administering, coordinating, or supporting regulatory compliance programs, including governance activities, risk assessments, testing, examinations, audits, issue management, and regulatory change initiatives.
• Strong understanding of AML regulatory requirements applicable to broker-dealers and registered investment advisers (RIAs). Experience supporting other regulated financial services businesses, investment vehicles, or financial products is a plus.
• Experience partnering across compliance, legal, risk, operations, technology, and business functions to drive execution of regulatory and governance activities.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities, coordinate complex initiatives, and drive accountability across a broad network of stakeholders.
• Experience developing management reporting, governance materials, metrics, dashboards, and executive-level communications.
• Knowledge of compliance technologies, data analytics, workflow automation, and artificial intelligence (AI) applications within compliance, risk management, or financial crimes programs.
• Experience identifying, implementing, or supporting technology-enabled process improvements, including AI, automation, or data-driven solutions that enhance compliance effectiveness and operational efficiency.
• Strong analytical, organizational, project management, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to balance strategic objectives and operational execution.
• Excellent written, verbal, interpersonal, and relationship-management skills, including the ability to communicate effectively with business partners, compliance professionals, senior management, and auditors/regulators.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment, and navigate complex regulatory and business environments.
• FINRA Series 7, 24, and 65/66 licenses are preferred.
• CAMS, CFCS, CRCM, or other relevant compliance or financial crimes certifications are a plus.

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)

$127000 - $171000 / 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 Authorization/Sponsorship

At this time, we are not considering applicants who require any form of immigration sponsorship to work in the United States now or in the future. This includes F1-OPT, F1-CPT, H-1B, TN, L-1, J-1, and similar visas. For more information on work authorization requirements, please use the following links:

Nonimmigrant Workers and Green Card for Employment-Based Immigrants

Investment Ethics Code

In Principal Asset Management positions, you are required to observe an Investment Code of Ethics regarding conduct and personal trading for yourself and those living with you. Other positions within the organization may have similar obligations.

Experience Principal

At Principal, we believe in forming connections both personally and professionally. Together, we’re crafting a future for financial services that is guided by purpose - and that begins with you. Our success depends on the outstanding experiences, backgrounds, and talents of our employees. We provide support to our employees in the same way as our customers. Our inclusive and competitive benefits protect physical, financial, and social well-being. Check 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

8/25/2026

Most Recently Posted Date

8/25/2026

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