Executive Assistant

Principal International; Des Moines, Northern (IA, KY); Hybrid; USD 3,901,000 - 5,286,000; Full time

Job summary

Principal Asset Management is seeking an Executive Assistant to partner with our Executive Recruiting team in Des Moines, IA. You will provide critical administrative and logistical support, manage calendars across senior leaders and EMG members, and ensure a high-touch, seamless candidate experience throughout the recruitment process.

The role requires 6+ years of related experience, exceptional organizational skills, discretion, and the ability to navigate complex schedules and travel

Qualifications

• 6+ years of related experience or equivalent demonstrated through work experience, training, or education.
• Significant administrative or executive support experience in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience supporting executive recruiting or C-suite executives.
• Advanced calendar management and scheduling expertise.
• Experience coordinating travel arrangements and logistics.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong problem-solving abilities and sound judgment.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a key liaison between Executive Recruiting, executives, and EMG members.
• Provide calendar management, meeting coordination, and travel planning support.
• Build relationships with executives, recruiters, candidates, and admins.
• Deliver a high-touch, white-glove candidate experience throughout recruitment.
• Manage complex calendars across multiple executives and time zones.
• Coordinate interviews and meetings with attention to priorities and schedules.
• Respond quickly to changes to ensure a seamless recruitment experience.
• Coordinate complex domestic and international travel and itineraries.
• Develop and manage travel logistics, including transportation and lodging.
• Maintain professional discretion and conduct during all scheduling activities.
• Ensure flawless logistics from planning to completion.

Skills

Executive support

Calendar management

Travel planning

Verbal communication

Written communication

Discretion

Relationship building

Prioritization

Education

High school diploma

Associate degree preferred

Job description

What You'll Do

We're seeking a highly skilled Executive Assistant to serve as a trusted partner to our Executive Recruiting team. In this role, you'll provide critical administrative and logistical support for the executive recruiting program, coordinating closely with senior leaders, executive candidates, HRBP Leadership, and members of the Executive Management Group (EMG) to ensure a seamless and exceptional recruitment experience.

This position is ideal for an experienced administrative professional who thrives in a fast-paced, high-visibility environment. The successful candidate will bring exceptional organizational skills, sound judgment, executive maturity, and the ability to manage complex logistics with precision and professionalism.

What you’ll do:

• Serve as a key liaison between Executive Recruiting, executive search firms, senior leaders, executive candidates, and EMG members.
• Represent the Executive Recruiting team with professionalism, credibility, and discretion.
• Provide dedicated administrative support to an HRBP leader, including calendar management, meeting coordination, travel planning, and other day-to-day support needs.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with executives, recruiting partners, candidates, and administrative professionals across the organization.
• Provide a high-touch, white-glove experience for executive candidates and business leaders throughout the recruitment process.
• Manage highly complex calendars involving multiple executives, candidates, interview panels, and time zones.
• Coordinate executive interviews and meetings while balancing competing priorities and schedules.
• Respond quickly and effectively to last-minute changes, ensuring a seamless experience for all parties.
• Maintain accuracy and attention to detail in all scheduling activities.
• Coordinate complex domestic and international travel arrangements for executives and candidates.
• Develop and manage detailed itineraries, including transportation, accommodations, dining arrangements, and candidate visit logistics.
• Adapt travel plans as needed while maintaining exceptional service and responsiveness.
• Ensure all logistics are executed flawlessly from planning through completion.
• Create an exceptional candidate experience that reflects the professionalism and values of the organization.
• Manage interview schedules, candidate communications, and onsite visit arrangements.
• Partner with internal stakeholders to ensure candidates receive a welcoming, seamless experience throughout the recruiting process.
• Anticipate challenges before they arise and proactively develop solutions and exercise sound judgement in fast-paced and often ambiguous situations.
• Independently manage priorities and make informed decisions with minimal oversight and elevate concerns appropriately while maintaining professionalism and discretion.

Who You Are

• 6+ years of related experience or equivalent demonstrated through one or a combination of the following: work experience, training, military experience, or education. High school diploma required, associate degree preferred.
• Significant administrative or executive support experience in a fast-paced professional environment.
• Experience supporting executive recruiting, executive leadership teams, or C-suite executives.
• Advanced calendar management and executive scheduling expertise.
• Experience coordinating complex travel arrangements and logistics.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong critical-thinking and problem-solving abilities.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with senior leaders and executive-level stakeholders.
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities and competing deadlines.
• High level of discretion when handling confidential and sensitive information.
• Outstanding organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Polished executive presence and professional demeanor.
• Strong relationship-building skills and a service-oriented mindset.
• Ability to influence and communicate confidently with senior leaders.
• Comfortable navigating change and ambiguity while maintaining composure under pressure.
• Ability to respectfully challenge assumptions, provide recommendations, and escape issues when appropriate.

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)

$28.32 - $38.37 / hour

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 Environment

This role is a hybrid opportunity working 3 days in the office and is located at our downtown Des Moines, IA offices.

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 outstanding 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.

Original Posting Date

9/30/2026

Most Recently Posted Date

9/30/2026

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.