Risk Management Specialist - Assistant Director

Principal Financial Group; Des Moines (IA); On-site; USD 127,000 - 171,000; Full time

Job summary

Principal Financial Group in Des Moines, IA seeks a Risk Management Specialist - Assistant Director to strengthen risk management practices across ERM programs, focusing on the Service Center Business Units and the Retirement and Income Solutions business. You will lead risk assessments, evaluate controls, and partner with leaders to drive effective mitigation.

The role requires 8+ years in risk-related fields, strong analytical and communication skills, and the ability to influence at all

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in risk management, audit, compliance, legal, or direct business oversight with accountability for risk and compliance.
• Experience in risk management, implementing risk programs.
• Led risk assessments and control effectiveness reviews with prioritization of key risk exposures.
• Ability to provide on-call support as needed.

Responsibilities

• Partner with business units to provide risk consulting and influence on risk management strategies within strategic projects and new initiatives, operational execution, emerging risks, and regulatory change.
• Prioritize and execute risk management framework and programs in alignment with business and functional objectives to identify, assess, monitor, and report risk.
• Influence the development of corrective action and mitigation plans, assessing effectiveness and recommending enhancements when needed.
• Lead risk assessments and control effectiveness reviews across varying levels of complexity and risk exposure.
• Assist in the implementation of risk management program activities through enterprise risk management tools, including Service Now.
• Support governance, standards, and oversight activities that drive consistency and accountability across ERM programs.
• Maintain ERM documentation and recommend improvements to risk standards, processes, and controls.
• Partner with leadership to develop and deliver risk reporting and insights.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Influence at all levels

On-call support

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent education and experience

Tools

Service Now

Job description

What You’ll Do

We’re looking for a Risk Management Specialist - Assistant Director to join our Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) team. In this role, you’ll play a critical part in strengthening risk management practices across selected corporate and business functions, with primary focus supporting the Service Center Business Units (SCBUs) and the Retirement and Income Solutions (RIS) business. You will serve as a trusted risk advisor, leading second-line risk initiatives by aligning with business strategies and applying and advancing the Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) framework, standards, policies and tools. You will partner with business and functional leaders to execute the risk program strategies and activities, in alignment with strategic objectives, to assess risk, evaluate control environments, report on risk, and influence effective mitigation strategies to balance risk and reward.

Risk Consulting & Advisory

• Partner with business units and functional leaders to provide risk consulting and influence on risk management strategies within strategic projects and new initiatives, operational execution, emerging risks, and regulatory change.
• Prioritize and execute risk management framework and programs in alignment with business and functional strategic objectives to identify, assess, monitor, and report risk for prioritized management action.
• Influence the development of corrective action and mitigation plans, assessing effectiveness and recommending enhancements when needed.

Risk Programs & Assessments

• Lead risk assessments and control effectiveness reviews across varying levels of complexity and risk exposure.
• Evaluate the design and effectiveness of processes, policies, procedures, controls.
• Apply strong risk and control analysis to identify risk considerations and implications, issues, and influence actions to prioritize higher risks and strengthen control structures in alignment with business objectives.
• Assist in the implementation of risk management program activities through enterprise risk management tools, including Service Now.

Governance & Oversight

• Support governance, standards, and oversight activities that drive consistency and accountability across ERM programs.
• Maintain ERM documentation and recommend improvements to risk standards, processes, and controls.

Reporting & Communication

• Partner with leadership and risk program teams to develop and deliver risk reporting and insights that support informed decision-making.
• Identify areas where risk exposure may exceed tolerance levels and escalates issues as appropriate.
• Communicate complex risk concepts clearly to non-risk audiences.

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 or equivalent education and experience.
• 8+ years of experience in risk management, audit, compliance, legal, or direct business oversight with accountability for risk and compliance.
• Experience in risk management, implementing risk programs.
• Demonstrated experience leading risk assessments and control effectiveness reviews, with the ability to identify and prioritize key risk exposures, evaluate control design, gaps, and effectiveness, and recommend mitigation strategies.
• Ability to provide on-call support as needed.

Skills That Will Help You Stand Out

• Strong analytical, problem-solving, strategic, and critical thinking skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to influence at all levels.
• Knowledge of corporate functions and internal business operations preferred.
• Experience in the retirement business is 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)

$127000 - $171000 / 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 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 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.

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

10/20/2026

Most Recently Posted Date

10/29/2026

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