Senior Associate, Client Service Manager

Principal Financial Group; United States; Hybrid; USD 56,000 - 88,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible Time Off

Pension Eligible

Hybrid/Remote work

Job summary

Principal Financial Group is seeking a Senior Associate, Client Service Manager in the unbundled retirement division to nurture client relationships and service requests via email or phone. You will handle retirement plan inquiries, coordinate with partners, and contribute to accurate, timely deliverables.

The role requires 2+ years in client service within financial services or retirement operations, strong communication, and proficiency in Microsoft Office. Hybrid/remote options supported.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of experience in client service, financial services, or retirement plan operations.
• Solid understanding of retirement plan administration and financial concepts.
• Previous experience working with retirement plans is required.
• Ability to guide clients and internal teams through complex plan features and processes.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Attention to detail with data discrepancies and accuracy.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and experienced in recordkeeping or workflow systems.
• Able to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Independently manage a portfolio of clients, delivering support on retirement plan management and participant inquiries.
• Review and approve routine retirement plan transactions while ensuring accuracy.
• Prepare client-facing and internal reports, ensuring transparency and accuracy.
• Recommend enhancements to processes, workflows, and reporting for efficiency and client experience.
• Perform other job-related duties and special projects as needed.

Skills

Client service

Communication

Microsoft Office

Attention to detail

Project coordination

Tools

Microsoft Office

Recordkeeping systems

Job description

What You\'ll Do

As a Senior Associate, Client Service Manager in our unbundled retirement division, you\’ll grow and maintain positive relationships with our clients, advisors, and TPA partners, while servicing their requests through email or phone. This role builds trust by helping clients navigate questions, issues, and requests while maintaining service standards. By providing dependable support and solutions, you\’ll help clients get their needs met accurately and on time, strengthen satisfaction, foster long-term relationships, and support improvements that drive retention and business growth.

• Independently manage a portfolio of clients, delivering support on retirement plan management and participant inquiries. Resolve moderately complex client questions using discretion, identifying when escalation is necessary. Collaborate with internal and external partners (operations, advisors, compliance) to coordinate client deliverables and plan achievements.
• Review and approve routine retirement plan transactions while ensuring accuracy. Analyze participant accounts to identify inconsistencies or trends requiring attention. Partner with internal teams to resolve errors or exceptions efficiently.
• Prepare client-facing and internal reports, ensuring transparency and accuracy. Document client interactions, decisions, and resolutions in systems to maintain audit readiness.
• Recommend enhancements to processes, workflows, and reporting for efficiency and client experience. Share knowledge and best practices with peers.
• Perform other job-related duties and special projects as the need arises.

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

• 2+ years of experience in client service, financial services, or retirement plan operations or equivalent demonstrated through one or a combination of the following: work experience, training, military experience, education.
• Solid understanding of retirement plan administration and financial concepts, with the ability to apply procedures accurately, efficiently, and with some independent judgment.
• Previous experience working with retirement plans is required.
• Ability to guide clients and internal teams through complex plan features and processes.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills, including comfort interacting directly with clients and internal partners.
• Attention to detail, with the ability to identify, troubleshoot, and resolve data discrepancies with minimal supervision.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and experienced in recordkeeping or workflow systems, with the ability to optimize processes where appropriate.
• Able to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment, making informed decisions about workload and deadlines.

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)

$55800 - $87600 / year

Salary Details

The following locations are examples of market-specific salary ranges across different geographies.

• Wichita, KS: $55,800 - $65,700 / year
• Des Moines, IA: $58,900 - $69,350 / year
• Charlotte, NC: $62,000 - $73,000 / year
• Chicago/Minneapolis: $68,200 - $80,300 / year
• Los Angeles/New York City: $74,400 - $87,600 / 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, and remote work arrangements. Employees who reside within 30 miles of our Des Moines, IA; Charlotte, NC; or Raleigh, NC office locations are expected to follow a hybrid work arrangement. Employees who reside more than 30 miles from these office locations may be eligible for remote work arrangements. You\’ll work with your leader to determine the work arrangement that best aligns with business needs and job responsibilities.

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

11/11/2026

Most Recently Posted Date

11/11/2026

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