Senior Manager, Client Services

We are looking for a Senior Manager, Client Services, to join our Defined Benefit Calculation Automation Team. As Senior Manager, you’ll be responsible for leading teams that translate complex pension plan provisions into calculation engines and digital retirement planning tools that help participants understand and model their retirement benefits.

You will partner closely with product management, Defined Benefit Administration leaders, technical leaders, and business stakeholders to drive modernization initiatives, workflow optimization, automation opportunities, and scalable participant experiences.

This is a unique opportunity to lead transformational efforts within one of the industry's largest defined benefit businesses while directly impacting the retirement outcomes of participants.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, develop, and engage a team of highly skilled professionals supporting defined benefit calculation and administration platforms.
• Oversee workforce planning, capacity management, resource allocation, and team performance.
• Collaborate with product managers, technical teams, and business leaders to support ongoing enhancements, system scalability, modernization efforts, and participant-facing digital experiences.
• Drive operational excellence through workflow optimization, automation, quality improvements, and process transformation.
• Lead and execute initiatives that support business growth, revenue generation, expense management, and organizational scalability.
• Foster a culture focused on accountability, continuous improvement, talent development, and employee engagement.
• Partner with leaders across the organization to evaluate team structure and support organizational evolution aligned with strategic priorities and modernization efforts.
• Utilize Agile planning methodologies and tools such as JIRA to support work management and strategic prioritization.

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!

• 6+ years of experience in client services, relationship management, financial services, or equivalent gained through work, training, military service, or education
• 2+ years of people leadership experience.
• Proven experience leading teams, managing priorities, and driving organizational results.
• Strong communication, collaboration, and relationship management skills.
• Experience managing complex projects, initiatives, and cross-functional stakeholders.

Skills That Will Help You Stand Out

• Significant experience in defined benefit pension administration, pension risk transfer, or closely related retirement services disciplines.
• Experience leading teams responsible for defined benefit calculation engines, pension administration systems, or retirement modeling solutions.
• Knowledge of platforms such as ProAdmin, ProVal, LynchVal, or similar pension administration and calculation systems.
• Experience with Agile planning, JIRA, workflow automation, and process optimization.
• Strong understanding of modernization, digital transformation, and operational scalability initiatives.
• Industry credentials related to pension administration or defined benefit services are a plus.

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

• Wichita, KS: $104,400 - $140,400 / year
• Des Moines, IA: $110,200 - $148,200 / year
• Charlotte, NC: $116,000 - $156,000 / year
• Chicago/Minneapolis: $127,600 - $171,600 / year
• Los Angeles/New York City: $139,200 - $163,200 / year

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 Raleigh, NC or Charlotte, NC). 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.

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.

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