Head of Product & Strategy - Pension, Annuity, Bank & Trust and Custody

What You'll Do

Principal Financial Group is seeking a multifaceted Head of Product & Strategy to drive innovation, market leadership, and customer-centric solutions within our Retirement & Income Solutions (RIS) business! 

 

As a strategic leader reporting to the Senior Vice President of Income Solutions, you will work closely with senior executives, subject matter experts, and market influencers to define and implement a daring product strategy. Your work will directly impact how we craft, prioritize, and position our products ensuring we remain at the forefront of the industry. 

 

What You’ll Do

• Craft the Future – Develop and implement a multi-year product strategy that improves our market position and enhances enterprise-level growth.
• Lead with Insight – Stay ahead of industry trends, leverage competitive intelligence, and drive innovative solutions that balance market needs with profitability.
• Engage & Influence – Present our product roadmap to external customers, intermediaries, and internal stakeholders—bringing a steadfast focus on customer experience and differentiation.
• Go-to-Market Leadership – Partner with Marketing, Sales Activation, and Sales Efficiency to ensure a compelling and competitive market presence.
• Strategic Partnership – Work closely with Technology, Finance, and other key teams to align resources, lead budgets, and bring winning solutions to market.
• Be the Voice of the Customer – Advocate for market needs in critical initiatives to ensure our products deliver real value.

What We’re Looking For

• A visionary leader with deep expertise in product strategy, preferably within financial services or retirement solutions.
• Strong eye for business and experience translating market insights into actionable strategies.
• Outstanding communication and influencing skills—able to engage senior executives, intermediaries, and customers effectively.
• A passion for innovation, execution, and driving competitive advantage.

Who You Are

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent; 15 years related work experience supervising business strategy within financial services; preferably within the pension, trust, annuities and/or custody space.
• CFA, CFP, or an actuarial pedigree strongly preferred
• Strong ambitious attitude with a strong execution arm
• Must be a strategic problem solver and have strong presentation, verbal, and written communication skills.
• Validated formal leadership skills: empower and develop others
• Ability to influence key partners
• Strong communication skills; ability to be technical and client facing
• Requires strong analytical and problem-solving skills, ability to build positive relationships with a variety of partners
• Role will support FINRA Series 6 or 7.

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)

$174000 - $236000 / 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
Additional Information

Work Environments

This role offers hybrid work arrangements at our world headquarters in Des Moines, Iowa. Relocation will be considered as part of the offer. 

 

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

2/12/2025
Most Recently Posted Date

2/12/2025

LinkedIn Hashtag

#LI-MT1

Salary : $174,000 - $236,000