Director, Business Strategy (Enterprise Data & Analytics)

Principal Financial Services, Inc.; Des Moines (IA); On-site; USD 160,000 - 213,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible Time Off (FTO)

Pension eligibility

Job summary

Principal Financial Services, Inc. is seeking a Director of Business Strategy to provide strategic leadership in the Enterprise Data & Analytics (EDA) team. This high-impact role will shape and evolve the data, analytics, and AI strategy, ensuring alignment with enterprise priorities by collaborating with senior leaders.

The ideal candidate has over 10 years of experience in strategy and enterprise transformation, demonstrating the ability to influence decisions at the executive level. This position offers a hybrid work environment with flexibility for a balanced work-life.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in strategy or enterprise transformation.
• Demonstrated ability to influence decisions at the executive level.
• Experience leading in a matrixed environment.

Responsibilities

• Shape and evolve the enterprise Data, Analytics, and AI strategy.
• Lead the design of the Data & Analytics Operating Model.
• Manage strategic planning and executive-level reporting.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Business strategy

Data & Analytics

Influencing executives

Education

Bachelor’s degree in business, technology, engineering, or related field

Job description

What You'll Do

We’re looking for a Director of Business Strategy to join our Enterprise Data & Analytics (EDA) team. In this role, you'll provide strategic leadership for the Chief Data & Analytics Office by shaping, advancing, and enabling execution of the enterprise data, analytics, and AI strategy and operating model within EDA. You'll operate in alignment and close collaboration with the enterprise technology community strategy, ensuring priorities are connected and consistently delivered. This is a high impact role that partners closely with senior leaders across data & analytics, enterprise technology, and business strategy functions to translate enterprise and technology community direction into clear, actionable priorities and measurable outcomes.

• Enterprise EDA Strategy Shaping & Alignment: Shapes and evolves the enterprise Data, Analytics, and AI strategy to ensure alignment with enterprise priorities and changing business needs. Partners with senior leaders to interpret and refine strategic direction, translating enterprise and technology community priorities into clear, actionable focus areas.
• Operating Model Design & Maturity: Leads the design, evolution, and ongoing maturity of the Data & Analytics Operating Model, ensuring it supports scale, clarity, and organizational effectiveness. Aligns operating model priorities with enterprise and technology community direction while driving continuous improvement. Monitors adoption and effectiveness, finding opportunities to enhance consistency and performance without requiring large-scale redesigns.
• Strategic Planning & Leadership Cadence: Establishes and manages the strategic planning cadence for EDA, including prioritization, planning cycles, and executive-level reporting. Ensures alignment between enterprise priorities and EDA initiatives by connecting leadership direction to ongoing work. Provides front‑office leadership and coordination, managing executive requests, emerging priorities, and ensuring follow‑through across initiatives.
• Executive Narrative & Strategic Communications: Partners with senior leaders to develop clear, compelling executive narratives that translate complex strategy into actionable insights and decisions. Supports materials and communications for senior leadership forums, including senior leadership team, executive management group, and Board discussions, ensuring alignment in how strategy, progress, and priorities are communicated across the enterprise. Reinforces a consistent strategic story that connects enterprise, technology community, and EDA priorities.
• Cross‑Functional Alignment & Influence: Acts as a key connector across Data & Analytics, business strategy, enterprise technology, corporate strategy, and shared services functions to align priorities, dependencies, and execution. Partners with senior stakeholders to ensure EDA initiatives are integrated with enterprise strategy and the broader technology community approach. Builds alignment and drives outcomes in a highly matrixed environment through influence rather than direct authority.

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 in business, technology, engineering, or a related field
• 10+ years of experience in strategy, operating model leadership, enterprise transformation, or related fields
• Demonstrated ability to operate effectively with executive and board‑level stakeholders, influencing decisions and driving alignment across senior leadership
• Strong strategic thinking and synthesis skills, with the ability to translate complex concepts into clear, actionable insights and executive‑ready communications
• Deep understanding of operating model design, organizational effectiveness, and governance principles, particularly within data & analytics or technology environments
• Experience leading through influence in a highly matrixed environment, building alignment across functions without direct authority

Skills That Will Help You Stand Out

• Advanced degree (MBA or equivalent) preferred
• Experience in financial services and technology‑enabled transformation
• Experience in driving and tracking strategic priorities through OKRs, metrics, or similar performance management frameworks

Salary Range Information

Salary ranges reflect targeted base salaries. Non‑sales positions may 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)

$160,000 - $213,000 per year

Time Off Program

Flexible Time Off (FTO) is provided to salaried (exempt) employees and allows pay for vacation, personal or short‑term illness. Employees do not 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 an in‑office and hybrid (blending at least three office days in a typical workweek) work arrangement in Des Moines, IA.

Work Authorization/Sponsorship

At this time, we are not considering applicants that need immigration sponsorship 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.

Investment Code of Ethics

For Principal Asset Management positions, you must 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 requirements may also apply to other positions across the organization.

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.