Sr Operations Analyst

Principal Financial Group; Des Moines (IA); Hybrid; USD 69,000 - 109,000; Full time

Job summary

Principal Financial Group in Des Moines, IA seeks a Sr Operations Analyst to independently execute complex administrative functions, prepare reports, manage projects and analyze data while ensuring regulatory and operational compliance.

You will lead Principal Exclusive Separate Account (PESA) initiatives from an operational perspective, partner with internal and external stakeholders to scope requirements, resolve issues, and drive implementations with training support for sales, service

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in finance or business preferred.
• 5+ years' work experience in investment/mutual fund operations or related field preferred.
• FINRA Series 6 or 7 preferred.
• MBA, CFA or CIMA a plus.
• Working knowledge of financial services / investment products and information technology required.
• Strong analytical, interpersonal and communication skills required.
• Must be detail oriented with solid problem solving, planning, time management and decision making skills.
• Must have the ability to build and maintain strong working relationships, exercise flexibility when dealing with people and effectively communicate with internal and external contacts at all levels.
• Ability to independently lead complex investment initiatives, quickly learn and navigate sophisticated investment arrangements, interpret business and contractual requirements, and collaborate across departments and with external partners to develop operationally sound solutions.

Responsibilities

• Maintain integrity of investment data in mainframe, databases and materials.
• Lead and coordinate PESA and other complex investment and operational initiatives with limited guidance, handling competing priorities, facilitating cross-functional workgroups, exercising sound judgment, and retaining ownership of key deliverables through completion.
• For PESA initiatives, you’ll be a key operational lead. You will evaluate new and evolving requirements, identify operational impacts and dependencies, coordinate among company personnel and outside partners, and drive issues and decisions toward resolution.
• Research and support new Mutual Fund Network funds and other non-proprietary investment options, including CITs. Evaluate trading and settlement requirements, required documentation and revenue considerations, and establish relationships with new fund companies.
• Provide training on investment platforms, projects and other investment-related topics, and lead or contribute to special projects as needed.

Skills

Analytical skills

Interpersonal & communication

Detail oriented

Problem solving

Time management

Decision making

Relationship building

Leadership of complex initiatives

Education

Bachelor's degree in finance or business

MBA

CFA

CIMA

FINRA Series 6 or 7 preferred

Tools

Word

Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

What You’ll Do

As a Sr Operations Analyst, you will independently execute complex administrative functions, report preparation, projects and analysis while ensuring compliance with established regulatory and operational procedures. You will play a key role in leading Principal Exclusive Separate Account (PESA) initiatives from an operational perspective by partnering with internal and external stakeholders to evaluate requirements, identify operational implications, resolve complex issues, and drive initiatives through implementation and ongoing support. You’ll provide training, written communication and general support to sales and service representatives, retirement plan clients, participants and others as needed.

Some additional daily tasks:

• Maintain integrity of investment data in mainframe, databases and materials. Lead impact analysis. Manage relationships with outside alliances hired to provide products and services to support our investment data.
• Lead and coordinate PESA and other complex investment and operational initiatives with limited guidance, handling competing priorities, facilitating cross-functional workgroups, exercising sound judgment, and retaining ownership of key deliverables through completion. This also includes projects related to events impacting investment platform options, such as regulatory changes, mergers, closures, name changes, policy changes, redemption fees and transfer restrictions.
• For PESA initiatives, you’ll be a key operational lead. You will evaluate new and evolving requirements, identify operational impacts and dependencies, coordinate among company personnel and outside partners, and drive issues and decisions toward resolution.
• Research and support new Mutual Fund Network funds and other non-proprietary investment options, including CITs. Evaluate trading and settlement requirements, required documentation and revenue considerations, and establish relationships with new fund companies.
• Provide training on investment platforms, projects and other investment-related topics, and lead or contribute to special projects as needed.

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, in finance or business preferred
• 5+ years' work experience in investment/mutual fund operations or related field preferred.
• FINRA Series 6 or 7 preferred
• MBA, CFA or CIMA a plus
• Working knowledge of financial services / investment products and services and information technology required
• Strong analytical, interpersonal and communication skills required
• Must be detail oriented and have solid problem solving, planning, time management and decision making skills
• Must have the ability to build and maintain strong working relationships, exercise flexibility when dealing with people and effectively communicate with internal and external contacts at all levels
• Ability to independently lead complex investment initiatives, quickly learn and navigate sophisticated investment arrangements, interpret business and contractual requirements, and collaborate across departments and with external partners to develop operationally sound solutions
• Proficiency with Word, Excel and PowerPoint required
• Some travel may be required

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 - $109200 / year

Salary Details

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

• Wichita, KS: $69,300 - $81,900 / year
• Des Moines, IA: $73,150 - $86,450 / year
• Charlotte, NC: $77,000 - $91,000 / year
• Chicago/Minneapolis: $84,700 - $100,100 / year
• Los Angeles/New York City: $92,400 - $109,200 / 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, or Charlotte, NC.

Work Authorization/Sponsorship

At this time, we are not considering applicants who need any form of immigration sponsorship now or in the future to work in the United States. This includes F1-OPT, F1-CPT, H-1B, TN, L-1, J-1, and others. For more information on work authorization requirements, please use the following links.

Nonimmigrant Workers and Green Card for Employment-Based Immigrants

Investment Ethical Guidelines

For Principal Asset Management roles, you must adhere to an Investment Code of Ethics covering personal and business behavior. It also includes personal trading activities for you and your household members. These rules might apply to other roles within the company as well.

Experience Principal

At Principal, we believe in building connections on both personal and professional levels. Together, we’re envisioning a more purpose-driven future for financial services – and it begins with you. Our achievements rely on the diverse experiences, backgrounds, and talents of our team members. We support our employees just as we support our customers: through comprehensive, competitive benefit packages designed to safeguard their physical, financial, and social well-being. Visit our careers site to discover more about our mission, 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

11/3/2026

Most Recently Posted Date

11/3/2026

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