Client Service Specialist

Principal Financial Group; United States; Remote; USD 28,000 - 44,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote work options

Pension eligible

Time off program

Job summary

Principal Financial Group is seeking a Client Service Specialist to join the Defined Benefits Client Services Team. You will partner with client-facing roles, internal teams, and external customers to deliver excellent service, ensuring accurate retirement plan administration and timely processing.

The role supports daily operations, member issues, and data reconciliation, with remote work options and opportunities for process improvements.

Qualifications

• 2+ years in client service or retirement plan operations.
• Knowledge of plan administration, recordkeeping, and defined benefit plans is a plus.
• Familiarity with plan documents, procedures, and company products.
• Assist with internal tasks and problem-solving while guiding teammates.
• Strong written and verbal communication, interpersonal skills, and basic math.

Responsibilities

• Support daily operations and plan services for defined benefit clients.
• Assist with member-level issues and routine data reconciliation.
• Communicate with clients and internal partners to resolve issues.
• Run standard reports using Webi/Business Objects to aid decisions.
• Share knowledge and train teammates on standard procedures.
• Identify opportunities for small process improvements.

Skills

Client service

Financial services

Retirement plans

Problem solving

Communication

Attention to detail

Webi

Business Objects

Tools

Webi

Business Objects

Job description

What You'll Do

We are looking for a Client Service Specialist to join our Defined Benefits Client Services Team! Partners with client-facing roles, internal teams, and external customers to deliver excellent service. Supports, coordinates, and prioritizes daily work to meet service expectations. Provides accurate and timely retirement plan administrative services, ensuring documentation and processing are completed with care and attention to detail.

• Daily Operations & Core Plan Support: Support daily operations and plan services, including pension services, asset transactions, or Defined Benefit client tasks as assigned. Complete tasks accurately and on time. Monitor workflow, prioritize tasks, and bring up issues as needed to maintain service quality and client satisfaction.
• Client Account Support & Problem Solving: Support assigned client accounts and internal partners, ensuring accurate and compliant plan administration. Assist with member-level issues, special timing requests, and routine data reconciliation. Recognize and research routine or slightly complex issues and propose solutions within established guidelines. Document key actions taken and raise more complex situations to senior specialists or managers. Contribute to a positive client experience through timely and reliable support.
• Communication & Collaborator Engagement: Communicate clearly with internal and external clients to resolve plan or recordkeeping issues. Provide guidance on administrative procedures and documentation standards as appropriate. Collaborate with internal partners and cross-functional teams to support reliable service delivery. Share feedback on routine or moderately complex issues with clients, management, and internal collaborators.
• Reporting & Analysis: Run standard reports using Webi, Business Objects, or other tools to support decision‑making. Identify basic trends or patterns from data to assist with recommendations and improvements. Ensure accurate and consistent reporting to support client service.
• Team Support & Knowledge Sharing: Provide guidance to colleagues on standard procedures and routine tasks. Assist with training or procedural updates as needed. Act as a reference for a limited set of technical topics to help the team resolve routine issues. Support the team in addressing challenges, advancing more complex issues as needed.
• Process Improvement and Other: Follow established procedures while finding opportunities for small‑scale process improvements. Contribute to training, special projects, or ad hoc initiatives.

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

• 2+ years of experience in client service, financial services, or retirement plan operations is required. Equivalent experience can be demonstrated through work experience, training, military experience, or education.
• Working knowledge of plan administration, recordkeeping systems, and defined benefit plans is a plus.
• Familiarity with plan and contract documents, procedures, and company products and services is helpful.
• Assist with internal tasks, contribute to problem‑solving, and guide teammates as necessary.
• Skilled in working alone as well as alongside colleagues. You will respond swiftly to client demands and ensure support is accurate and timely, helping to improve client satisfaction.
• Strong written and verbal communication, interpersonal, basic math, organizational, reading comprehension, interpretation, and problem‑solving skills.

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)

$20.34 - $31.73 / hour

Salary Details

The following locations are examples of market-specific salary ranges across different geographies.

• Grand Island, NE / Wichita, KS: $20.34 – 23.80 / hr
• Des Moines, IA / Tampa, FL: $21.47 - $25.12 / hr
• Charlotte, NC / Dallas, TX: $22.60 - $26.44 / hr
• Chicago, IL / Denver, CO / Minneapolis, MN: $24.86 - $29.09 / hr
• Los Angeles, CA / New York City, NY: $27.12 - $31.73

Time Off Program

Personal Time Off (PTO) is provided to hourly (non-exempt) employees and provides a set amount of accrued time earned each pay period. Employees can use their PTO for vacation, personal or short-term illness.

Pension Eligible

Yes

Work Environments

This role offers remote work options, offering the flexibility to work from a home-based environment.

Work Authorization/Sponsorship

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

Nonimmigrant Workers and Green Card for Employment-Based Immigrants

Investment Ethical Guidelines

Experience Principal

At Principal, we believe in building connections on both personal and professional levels. Together, we’re envisioning a more purpose‑driven future for financial services – and it begins with you. Our achievements rely on the diverse experiences, backgrounds, and talents of our team members. We support our employees just as we support our customers: through comprehensive, competitive benefit packages designed to safeguard their physical, financial, and social well‑being. Visit our careers site to discover more about our mission, 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

10/14/2026

Most Recently Posted Date

10/14/2026

Principal uses artificial intelligence tools to assist in reviewing and evaluating job applications, fraud prevention, and candidate matching and comparisons. These AI tools support our human recruiters in the initial review process but do not make final hiring decisions without human involvement. By submitting your application, you acknowledge this use of AI in our recruitment process. Please review our Workforce (U.S.) Privacy Notice for more details on our practices and your data privacy rights.

LinkedIn Remote Hashtag

#LI-Remote