Principal Financial Group Inc

Associate, Marketing Operations

Principal Financial Group Inc$55K — $126K *
US-AnywhereRemote in Des Moines, IA
Media
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree in graphic design, digital design, visual communication, human-computer interaction, marketing, or equivalent work experience.
  • 2+ years of professional design experience with a focus on visual design fundamentals and multi-channel execution.
  • Working knowledge of HTML and CSS, ideally with experience in marketing emails.
  • Experience with Salesforce Marketing Cloud or similar email marketing platforms.
  • High attention to detail concerning content accuracy and brand consistency.
  • Ability to follow creative direction and solve design problems through feedback cycles.
  • Strong collaboration skills to work with diverse teams.

Responsibilities

  • Design and build branded digital communications in Salesforce Marketing Cloud.
  • Translate creative briefs into on-brand, accessible email and digital designs.
  • Utilize design principles like layout and typography to ensure clarity and readability.
  • Create and refine digital assets such as banners, GIFs, and social media graphics.
  • Test email designs for accuracy and overall quality before delivery.
  • Apply accessible design practices to meet WCAG standards.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams to clarify project requirements.

Benefits

  • Flexible Time Off (FTO) for vacation and personal time.
  • Pension eligibility for long-term financial security.
Full Job Description
What You'll Do

We are looking for a detail-oriented digital designer to join Principal’s Marketing Operations & Technology team. This role sits at the intersection of visual design, brand systems, accessibility, and marketing technology.

 

In this role, you will help design, build, test, and refine high-quality digital communications, with a focus on Salesforce Marketing Cloud email experiences. You will work across B2B and B2C marketing communications, supporting emails, templates, content blocks, animated assets, social, web, app and programmatic creative, and other digital design needs.

 

This is a hands-on production and craft role for someone who understands that strong digital design is both visual and technical. The right candidate should care about layout, typography, hierarchy, accessibility, responsive behavior, platform constraints, and the small details that make a marketing communication accurate, usable, and on brand.

Here is how you'll spend your day:
  • Design and build branded digital communications in Salesforce Marketing Cloud, with a focus on enterprise email design and development.
  • Translate creative briefs, source documents, and partner direction into clear, on-brand, accessible email and digital design executions.
  • Use layout, typography, hierarchy, color, image selection, and composition to create communications that are clear, readable, and aligned to Principal’s brand.
  • Create and refine supporting digital assets, including Web/app banners, graphics, charts, animated GIFs, social assets, and programmatic ad creative.
  • Use Adobe Creative Suite, including Photoshop and Illustrator, to create, edit, resize, optimize, and export production-ready creative assets.
  • Test email designs for accuracy, accessibility, responsiveness, rendering behavior, dark mode, links, images, and overall quality before final delivery.
  • Apply accessible design practices, including WCAG 2.2 AA expectations, to help create inclusive digital communications.
  • Work within established brand standards, design systems, templates, and reusable components to improve consistency, speed, and scalability.
  • Collaborate with designers, project managers, marketing partners, data and deployment teams, and other stakeholders to clarify requirements and resolve issues.

Who You Are

  • Bachelor’s degree in graphic design, digital design, visual communication, human-computer interaction, marketing, or equivalent work experience.
  • 2+ years of professional design experience, with demonstrated strength in visual design fundamentals, production accuracy, and multi-channel execution.
  • Working knowledge of HTML and CSS, preferably with experience building or editing marketing emails.
  • Experience with Salesforce Marketing Cloud, email design, email production, Content Builder, or similar email marketing platforms.
  • High attention to detail, with an emphasis on content accuracy, brand consistency, technical quality, and production readiness.
  • Ability to follow creative direction, interpret feedback, solve execution-level design problems, and improve work through review cycles.
  • Ability to manage multiple assignments, prioritize work, meet deadlines, and communicate clearly in a fast-paced environment.
  • Strong collaboration skills and comfort working with designers, project managers, marketers, developers, data partners, and deployment teams.
  • Curiosity and willingness to learn new tools, workflows, automation capabilities, AI-assisted production practices, and evolving digital design methods. Comfort balancing creative quality with operational speed, compliance needs, and platform limitations.
Additional skills that would make you stand out:
  • Proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite, especially Photoshop and Illustrator. InDesign, After Effects, or animation experience is a plus.
  • Portfolio showing strong command of layout, typography, composition, visual hierarchy, image use, and digital design craft a plus.
  • Experience creating or editing animated GIFs, digital banners, social creative, programmatic ads, charts, or other digital marketing assets.
  • Familiarity with AMPscript, personalization logic, dynamic content, data-driven email modules, or reusable SFMC components.
  • Working awareness of accessible design standards and ability to apply WCAG 2.2 AA practices to digital communications.
  • Experience testing emails in Litmus or similar tools.
Salary Range InformationSalary 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$55800 - $126000 / year Salary Details

 

Below are examples of salaries in different geographies:

 

Dubuque, IA / Wichita, KS / Grand Island, NE

  • Associate, Marketing Operations: $55,800 - $75,600
  • Sr. Associate, Marketing Operations: $69,300 - $94,500

Des Moines, IA / Louisville, KY / Green Bay, WI

  • Associate, Marketing Operations: $58,900 - $79,800
  • Sr. Associate, Marketing Operations: $73,150 - $99,750

St. Louis, MO / Pittsburgh, PA / Charlotte, NC

  • Associate, Marketing Operations: $68,200 - $92,400
  • Sr. Associate, Marketing Operations: $84,700 - $115,500

Denver, CO / Houston, TX / Chicago, IL / Minneapolis, MN

  • Associate, Marketing Operations: $74,400 - $100,800
  • Sr. Associate, Marketing Operations: $92,400 - $126,000

Seattle, WA / Los Angeles, CA / New York City, NY

  • Associate, Marketing Operations: $74,400 - $100,800
  • Sr. Associate, Marketing Operations: $92,400 - $126,000

 

Time Off ProgramFlexible 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 EligibleYes Additional Information Job Level We’ll consider talent at the next level with the right experiences and skills.

Sr. Associate, Marketing Operations Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s degree in graphic design, digital design, visual communication, human-computer interaction, marketing, or equivalent work experience.
  • 4+ years of professional design experience, with demonstrated strength in visual design fundamentals, production accuracy, and multi-channel execution.
  • Working knowledge of HTML and CSS, preferably with experience building or editing marketing emails.
  • Experience with Salesforce Marketing Cloud, email design, email production, Content Builder, or similar email marketing platforms.
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.

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.

Posting WindowWe 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. Date First Posted (TTF)8/21/2026 Latest Post Date: Careers - US8/21/2026

LinkedIn Remote Hashtag

#LI-Remote

About Principal Financial Group Inc

Principal Financial Group Inc Careers

Join the dynamic team at Principal Financial Group Inc, a global leader in investment management and retirement services. At Principal, we are committed to helping individuals and businesses achieve financial security and success, making now the perfect time to explore job opportunities with us.

Work You’ll Do

Embark on a career at Principal Financial Group Inc and contribute to our mission of empowering financial well-being across the globe. Our company offers a wide range of positions, from finance to technology, where your skills will help shape the future of financial services.

Innovate and Lead

At Principal, innovation and leadership go hand in hand. We provide a platform where your ideas can lead to groundbreaking financial solutions, driving growth and efficiency. Join our team and be at the forefront of industry-leading projects that redefine what is possible in the financial sector.

Grow Your Career

Principal Financial Group Inc is not just a company; it's a place where you can grow professionally and personally. We support career advancement through professional development programs, leadership training, and opportunities for networking and mentorship. Our commitment to diversity and inclusion ensures that all team members have the opportunity to succeed.

Experience Our Culture

Our culture is built on collaboration, respect, and a commitment to excellence. We believe in fostering a supportive environment where every team member’s contribution is valued. Enjoy benefits that support both your professional and personal life, and work alongside colleagues who are passionate about making a difference.

Internship and Employment Opportunities

Whether you're starting your career or looking to make a significant impact in your professional journey, Principal offers a range of internship and employment opportunities. Gain hands-on experience, work on real-world projects, and learn from leaders in the financial industry.

Join Our Team

Ready to take the next step in your career? Explore the job opportunities at Principal Financial Group Inc. We are hiring creative, curious, and motivated individuals who are ready to drive innovation and lead with integrity. Check out our open positions, tailor your resume, and prepare for an interview that could lead to your next great adventure.

Stay Connected

Keep up to date with the latest from Principal Financial Group Inc by following our careers blog. Get insider perspectives, tips for a successful interview, and the latest news on the financial industry that you can apply directly to your career.

Networking and Professional Development

At Principal, your growth is our priority. Enhance your professional skills through comprehensive training programs and connect with industry leaders and peers through our robust networking events. Our commitment to your development is unwavering, as we believe it is fundamental to our collective success.

Explore Careers at Principal Financial Group Inc

Discover the exciting career paths available at Principal. From internships to leadership roles, the opportunities for professional growth are abundant. Join us and contribute to a company that values innovation, leadership, and a diverse workforce dedicated to achieving exceptional results.

Apply Today

Are you ready to make a meaningful impact in the financial services industry? Search for open positions that match your skills and interests at Principal Financial Group Inc. We look for passionate, driven, and solution-oriented team players. Start your journey with us today and be part of a team that’s redefining the future of finance.

Principal Financial Group Inc—where careers grow, innovation thrives, and leaders are made.

Learn more about Principal Financial Group Inc
Size
18,600 employees
Market Cap
$20.7 billion
Industry
Net Income
$1.3 billion
5 Year Trend
+2.7%
Revenue
$14.7 billion
NASDAQ

Similar Jobs

More Jobs at Principal Financial Group Inc

More Media Jobs

Find similar Associate, Marketing Operations jobs: