Governance Associate

Principal Financial Group; Charlotte (NC); Hybrid; USD 62,000 - 84,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible Time Off

Pension Eligible

Comprehensive benefit offerings

Job summary

A leading financial services firm in Charlotte, NC is searching for a Governance Associate to ensure accurate client account management. The role includes responsibilities like verifying data accuracy, performing administrative reviews, and supporting compliance checks. Candidates should have strong analytical skills and at least 2 years of relevant experience. Preferred qualifications include a bachelor's degree and a basic understanding of ERISA. This position offers flexible working arrangements and a competitive salary range.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of related business experience or equivalent through work.
• Ability to identify issues and solve problems.
• Willingness to learn about governing documents.

Responsibilities

• Perform pre-funding and ongoing administrative reviews.
• Verify the accuracy of account data.
• Support responses to auditor and regulator requests.

Skills

Strong communication skills

Analytical skills

Basic understanding of policies and regulations

Education

Bachelor’s degree preferred

Tools

Experience with SEI Trust 3000

Job description

What You’ll Do

We are looking for a Governance Associate to join our Administrative Review Team in Principal Custody Solutions. In this role, you will help ensure that client accounts are established and maintained accurately and in accordance with governing documents – work that is essential to providing high‑quality client service and ensuring accurate, reliable regulatory and financial reporting.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform pre‑funding, initial, and ongoing administrative reviews to confirm we have the right governing documents for client accounts.
• Verify the accuracy of account data by ensuring system information accurately reflects governing documents.
• Identify, track, and monitor issues identified during reviews, including potential compliance concerns, and communicate those findings to key stakeholders through summary reports or other established channels.
• Support responses to auditor and regulator requests by gathering and organizing relevant documentation, as needed.
• Maintain and update team procedures and participate in cross‑functional discussions to support efficient, consistent, and well‑controlled operational processes.

Who You Are

• 2+ years of related business experience, or equivalent through work experience, training, military service, or education.
• Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Strong communication skills, including clear written and verbal communication.
• Ability to analyze information, identify issues, and solve problems in situations that may be complex or unclear.
• Basic understanding of policies, regulations, and customer service or auditing concepts, with willingness to learn more.

Skills That Will Help You Stand Out

• General understanding of ERISA
• Experience with SEI Trust 3000
• Trust and Custody or other areas of institutional trust experience preferred

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): 55,800 – 126,000 / year

Salary Details by Location

• Wichita, KS:
  • Governance Associate: 55,800 – 75,600 / year
  • Governance Senior Associate: 69,300 – 94,500 / year
• Des Moines, IA:
  • Governance Associate: 58,900 – 79,800 / year
  • Governance Senior Associate: 73,150 – 99,750 / year
• Charlotte, NC:
  • Governance Associate: 62,000 – 84,000 / year
  • Governance Senior Associate: 77,000 – 105,000 / year
• Chicago/Minneapolis:
  • Governance Associate: 68,200 – 92,400 / year
  • Governance Senior Associate: 84,700 – 115,500 / year
• Los Angeles/New York City:
  • Governance Associate: 74,400 – 100,800 / year
  • Governance Senior Associate: 92,400 – 126,000 / 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 Environments

This role offers in‑office, hybrid (blending at least three office days in a typical workweek), and remote work arrangements (only if residing more than 30 miles from Des Moines, IA, Charlotte, NC, and Raleigh, NC). You’ll work with your leader to figure out which option may align best based on several factors.

Job Level

We’ll consider talent at the next level with the right experience and skills. The Governance Senior Associate level requires a minimum of 4 years of relevant experience.

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.

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.

Equal Opportunity Employer

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.