Sr Benefit Analyst

Principal International; Des Moines (IA); Hybrid; USD 56,000 - 101,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension eligibility

Flexible Time Off

Hybrid work model

Job summary

Principal Asset Management is seeking a Sr. Benefits Analyst to support the HR Payroll and Shared Services team, focusing on benefits administration, design, compliance, and continuous improvement across health, life, disability, retirement, wellness, PTO, and stock programs.

You will handle enrollment, testing, and complex benefit scenarios while partnering with vendors and business units to ensure accurate plan administration and efficient processes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience, plus 3+ years of related human resources or employee benefits experience.
• Strong working knowledge of employee benefits, including health, life, disability, retirement, wellness, PTO, employee stock purchase programs, annual enrollment, eligibility, contributions, subsidies, and /or benefit operations.
• Ability to interpret benefit plan provisions and policies and apply them to complex or unusual employee and retiree situations.
• Strong analytical and advanced spreadsheet skills, with the ability to manage complex assignments, maintain a high degree of accuracy and confidentiality, and meet tight deadlines.
• Strong communication, relationship‑building, and customer service skills, with the ability to effectively partner across HR, Finance, business units, corporate functions, vendors, employees, retirees, and leaders.

Responsibilities

• Support annual enrollment, user acceptance testing, administrative changes, and complex employee, agent, and retiree benefit situations.
• Monitor benefit programs and administrative procedures for compliance with legal and regulatory requirements.
• Partner with benefit vendors to resolve operational issues, coordinate implementations and administrative changes, and ensure accurate plan administration.
• Process billings and invoices, support reconciliation projects, and analyze benefit data and reports related to claims, contributions, company subsidies, demographics, and stock usage.

Skills

Analytical skills

Advanced Excel

Benefits knowledge

Communication

Vendor management

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience

Tools

Benefits software

Microsoft Excel

Job description

What You'll Do

We are looking for a Sr. Benefits Analyst to join our HR Payroll and Shared Services team. In this role, you’ll support the administration, design, compliance, and continuous improvement of benefit programs, including health, life, disability, retirement, wellness, paid time off, employee stock purchase programs, and other employee amenities.

• Support annual enrollment, user acceptance testing, administrative changes, and complex employee, agent, and retiree benefit situations. Serve as a subject matter expert for HR and business partners.

• Monitor benefit programs and administrative procedures for compliance with legal and regulatory requirements. Identify opportunities to improve processes, documentation, accuracy, and operational efficiency.

• Partner with benefit vendors to resolve operational issues, coordinate implementations and administrative changes, and ensure accurate plan administration.

• Process billings and invoices, support reconciliation projects, and analyze benefit data and reports related to claims, contributions, company subsidies, demographics, and stock usage.

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 experience, plus 3+ years of related human resources or employee benefits experience.

• Strong working knowledge of employee benefits, including health, life, disability, retirement, wellness, PTO, employee stock purchase programs, annual enrollment, eligibility, contributions, subsidies, and /or benefit operations.

• Ability to interpret benefit plan provisions and policies and apply them to complex or unusual employee and retiree situations.

• Strong analytical and advanced spreadsheet skills, with the ability to manage complex assignments, maintain a high degree of accuracy and confidentiality, and meet tight deadlines.

• Strong communication, relationship‑building, and customer service skills, with the ability to effectively partner across HR, Finance, business units, corporate functions, vendors, employees, retirees, and leaders.

Skills That Will Help You Stand Out

• Degree in business management, finance, human resources, or a related field.

• Benefits technology, advanced Microsoft Excel, or benefit vendor management experience.

• Project management, implementation, or process improvement experience.

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 - $100800 / year

Salary Details

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

• Wichita, KS: $55,800 - $75,600 / year
• Des Moines, IA: $58,900 - $79,800 / year
• Charlotte, NC: $62,000 - $84,000 / year
• Chicago/Minneapolis: $68,200 - $92,400 / year
• Los Angeles/New York City: $74,400 - $100,800 / 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

Location

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.

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

11/12/2026

Most Recently Posted Date

11/12/2026

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