We’re looking for a Head of Global Asset Management Compensation to join our Total Rewards team. In this role, you'll lead the strategy, design, governance, implementation, and ongoing effectiveness of global compensation programs for Principal Asset Management, with accountability for investment, international pension, and sales/distribution. This person will serve as the senior compensation advisor to our asset management business,ensuring programs are competitive, aligned with business strategy and priorities, financially responsible, operationally sound, and compliant. This person will also lead and develop a high-performing team that delivers trusted counsel and integrated compensation solutions across base pay, annual and long-term incentives, profit sharing, sales compensation, equity, deferred cash, co-investment, and carried interest, with flexibility as needed.

• Lead the design, implementation, and evaluation of compensation programs for investment, international pension, and distribution roles, including base pay, annual and long-term incentives, profit sharing, sales compensation, stock, deferred cash, co-investment, and carried interest. Partner with Asset Management and Finance leaders on profit share pool allocation and ensure performance measures, payout mechanics, eligibility, and risk features reinforce intended business outcomes.
• Set and maintain an integrated Asset Management compensation strategy aligned with business priorities, investment and distribution talent markets, performance expectations, and the enterprise Total Rewards philosophy. Advise business leaders including executives, and HR leaders on complex and sensitive compensation decisions, organizational changes, external market dynamics, and talent risks. Develop and present recommendations to senior management and governing committees.
• Establish governance, decision rights, documentation standards, and controls across the Asset Management compensation portfolio. Partner with HR, Finance, Risk, Law, Compliance, and U.S. and non-U.S. advisors on incentive plan design and administration, risk assessments, applicable requirements, and emerging risks or control gaps.
• Provide leadership for annual compensation reviews, incentive planning, market and structure reviews, budgeting, recommendations, implementation, and communications. Ensure complex program changes are delivered through disciplined project management, stakeholder readiness, testing, documentation, and post-implementation review.
• Build, lead, and develop a high-performing team with investment, distribution, technical, consulting, and analytical capabilities. Set priorities and service standards, allocate work based on business value and risk, coach team members, and build scalable tools and knowledge-sharing practices that improve quality, consistency, speed, and resilience.
• Maintain relationships with compensation consultants, industry peers, and market data providers to anticipate market and regulatory developments. Represent Human Resources and the company on relevant committees and forums, contribute to the broader Total Rewards agenda, and when possible, promote alignment across compensation programs and business units.

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience required; advanced degree preferred
• Typically 10 or more years of progressively responsible compensation or Total Rewards experience, including meaningful leadership experience and demonstrated knowledge of the asset management industry
• Certified Compensation Professional (CCP) designation preferred
• Demonstrated expertise in investment and/or distribution compensation, incentive design, equity or stock programs, market pricing, job evaluation, and compensation governance
• Experience advising executive leadership and presenting complex analysis and recommendations to senior management or governing committees
• Strong business and financial acumen, including the ability to understand investment and distribution economics, incentive accruals, risk tradeoffs, and talent implications
• Proven leadership, consulting, analytical, problem-solving, decision-making, negotiation, influence, communication, and project management capabilities
• Ability to operate effectively across functions, geographies, and levels; manage confidential matters; and partner with legal and compliance experts on applicable wage and hour, incentive compensation, regulatory, and compliance requirements
• Travel (5%) may be required

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, Raleigh, NC or Charlotte, NC.). Strong preference for Des Moines, IA based candidates. 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.

LinkedIn Remote Hashtag

LinkedIn Hashtag