Lead Payroll Integration Manager (Hybrid Role)

Principal International; Iowa, Northern (LA, KY); Hybrid; USD 69,000 - 126,000; Full time

Job summary

Principal International seeks a Lead Payroll Integration Manager to own payroll setup and integration for NQ Retirement Solutions. You will drive client and vendor conversations, ensure secure data integration, and establish scalable processes enhancing client, participant, and operational experiences.

You will coordinate with clients, payroll vendors, consultants, technology partners, onboarding, administration, and the WSRS Payroll Integration Team on new implementations, conversions, and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience required, plus 4+ years of related experience.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, communication, and relationship management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and drive results in a fast-paced and ambiguous environment.
• Strong attention to detail with the ability to understand cross-functional impacts and downstream process implications.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively while proactively seeking information, resources, and partnerships.

Responsibilities

• Lead lead-to-production payroll implementation activities, including file specifications, configuration, testing, validation, issue resolution, and readiness.
• Serve as the primary owner for NQ payroll setup and integration with clients, payroll providers, consultants, and internal partners.
• Provide SME on payroll setup and integration processes, file requirements, migration strategies, and downstream impacts.
• Partner with onboarding, administration, consulting, technology, operations, and payroll teams to align standards and scalable solutions.
• Lead and support migration efforts from legacy to automated integration methods to improve efficiency and controls.
• Identify opportunities to reduce manual work, improve quality, and enhance client and participant experience.
• Develop and maintain procedures, training resources, and quality standards for payroll setup and integration.

Skills

Analytical skills

Problem-solving

Communication

Relationship management

Project/priority management

Independent work

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience

Job description

What You'll Do

The Lead Payroll Integration Manager will serve as the primary owner and subject matter expert for payroll setup and integration within the Nonqualified (NQ) Retirement Solutions business. This role is responsible for leading client and payroll provider conversations, supporting accurate and secure data integration, and helping establish scalable processes that improve the client, participant, and operational experience.

This individual will coordinate closely with clients, payroll vendors, consultants, technology partners, onboarding, administration, and the WSRS (401k) Payroll Integration Team to support new implementations, conversions, and migration efforts. The role requires strong ownership, consultative communication, technical curiosity, and the ability to drive progress in an evolving area of the business.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the lead point of contact for NQ payroll setup and integration efforts, including client, payroll provider, consultant, and internal partner coordination.
• Lead end-to-end payroll implementation activities, including file specifications, configuration, testing, validation, issue resolution, and production readiness.
• Provide subject matter expertise on NQ payroll setup and integration processes, payroll file requirements, provider capabilities, migration strategies, and downstream administrative impacts.
• Partner across onboarding, administration, consulting, technology, operations, and WSRS Payroll Integration teams to align standards, share best practices, and deliver scalable solutions.
• Lead and support FTP-to-IPP migration efforts, transitioning clients from legacy file solutions to more automated integration methods that improve efficiency, scalability, and risk controls.
• Identify opportunities to reduce manual work, improve quality, strengthen controls, and enhance the overall client and participant experience.
• Develop and maintain procedures, training resources, and quality standards related to payroll setup and integration processes.
• Demonstrate initiative and ownership by leveraging available resources, building expertise, solving problems independently, and establishing credibility with limited day-to-day direction.

Who You Are

We are looking for someone with:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience required, plus 4+ years of related experience.
• Working knowledge of business processes, financial services products, and supporting systems.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, communication, and relationship management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and drive results in a fast-paced and ambiguous environment.
• Strong attention to detail with the ability to understand cross-functional impacts and downstream process implications.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively while proactively seeking information, resources, and partnerships.

Preferred Qualifications — Skills that will help you stand out

• Working knowledge of non-qualified deferred compensation plans, including plan design complexities, Section 409A requirements, payroll deduction structures, and related administrative impacts.
• Experience implementing or supporting payroll, HRIS, benefits, or retirement plan integrations.
• Experience with payroll setup, payroll deduction codes, payroll administration, or vendor payroll file requirements.
• Experience managing client implementations, onboarding projects, conversions, or complex operational initiatives involving multiple stakeholders.
• Knowledge of file transmission methods, data mapping, validation, testing, and integration controls.
• Experience supporting process improvement, operational excellence, automation, or scalable workflow design.

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)

$69300 - $126000 / year

Salary Details

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, or Charlotte, NC). You’ll work with your leader to figure out which option may align best based on several factors.

Work Authorization/Sponsorship

At this time, we're not considering candidates that need any type of immigration sponsorship now or in the future or those needing work authorization for this role. (This includes, but is not limited to students on F1-OPT, F1-CPT, J-1, etc.)

Nonimmigrant Workers and Green Card for Employment-Based Immigrants

Investment Code of Ethics

For Principal Global Investors 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. 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.

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

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

9/15/2026

Most Recently Posted Date

9/17/2026

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LinkedIn Remote Hashtag

#LI-Remote