At Principal Asset Management, we’re seeking a Global Operational Excellence Associate Director to act as a strategic partner across Financial Management and Risk & Control functions. This is a high-impact role for someone who thrives in complex environments, brings structure to ambiguity, and partners across the business to drive transparency in our financial risk related disciplines.

What You’ll Do

Operational Excellence

• Champion continuous improvement across financial management, capacity planning, and risk oversight to enhance operational efficiency and scalability.
• Define and execute an operations value framework, including identifying demand drivers and cost inputs and establishing nit costing models
• Drive structural improvements to increase operating leverage across global delivery models.
• Foster a culture of accountability, innovation, and agility, including the use of AI and emerging capabilities.

Financial Management & Risk / Control

• Provide oversight of budget planning, expense management, and committed investment tracking across global delivery initiatives.
• Partner with business stakeholders to build transparency into cost structures and develop scalable financial models.
• Establish and monitor key operational and risk metrics, ensuring visibility into performance and risk hotspots.
• Lead mitigation strategies and drive accountability for remediation actions.

Stakeholder Engagement & Communication

• Serve as a trusted advisor and liaison across business, technology, and operations.
• Communicate complex strategies, progress, and insights clearly to executive stakeholders.
• Influence decisions, drive alignment, and facilitate cross-functional collaboration.
• Build strong relationships across global teams and external partners.

Strategic Planning

• Contribute to the development and execution of multi-year operational strategies.
• Translate strategy into actionable roadmaps with defined success metrics and measurable outcomes.
• Lead discussions to align operational efforts with broader business goals.

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience
• 8+ years of experience in operations, FP&A, risk, or strategy in complex Financial Services or Asset Management environment
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with experience navigating ambiguity
• Proven ability to influence stakeholders at all levels, including senior leadership
• Exceptional communication and relationship-building skills
• Highly organized, detail-oriented, and results-driven with ability to manage multiple priorities
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and lead through influence
• Global travel up to 5%

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

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.

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.