Sr. Actuary II

This role leads the Variable Annuity (VA) actuarial team within Retirement & Income Solutions (RIS), with overall actuarial leadership and accountability for business outcomes across both Registered Index-Linked Annuities (RILA) and Traditional VA products. Reporting to the RIS Chief Actuary, you are a key member of the actuarial leadership team, shaping strategy and driving aligned execution.

This is a highly visible role at the center of one of RIS’s most strategic and dynamic businesses. You will lead a team with dedicated leaders for pricing and financial reporting, integrating those perspectives into a cohesive, decision‑ready view of the business. The role combines product strategy, complex risk management, and team leadership, with direct influence on business results and future direction.

Business, Strategic & Team leadership

• Lead actuarial oversight of the VA business, including pricing, risk management, and in-force performance, while driving decisions that balance growth, profitability, and capital efficiency across VA and RILA.
• Evaluate key drivers (markets, policyholder behavior, hedging) and translate insights into actionable business strategies.
• Partner cross-functionally with product, investments, finance, and risk to influence strategy, align on assumptions, and drive results.
• Lead and develop a team of ~7, including direct oversight of pricing and financial reporting, while ensuring alignment on results and business implications.
• Build bench strength and develop future leaders, operating effectively within a matrixed environment and influencing across actuarial, finance, and business partners.

Actuarial Integration & Execution:

• Set direction across pricing, assumptions, modeling, and analytics.
• Provide actuarial oversight of financial reporting (U.S. GAAP and VM‑21), partnering with the reporting lead to ensure results are accurate and actionable.
• Integrate perspectives across pricing, reporting, and hedging to deliver a consistent view of business performance.
• Ensure rigor in methodologies and governance, while advancing key process and analytics improvements.

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!

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent required
• A Fellow of the Society of Actuaries or global equivalent, or Enrolled Actuary plus 10+ years actuarial experience required
• Knowledge of pertinent laws, regulations, the Actuarial Standards of Practice promulgated by the Actuarial Standards Board, and the Code of Professional Conduct of the AAA and the SoA is required
• In-depth knowledge of area of actuarial specialty and broad knowledge of several business areas required
• Must maintain continuing education requirements as specified by the SOA or AAA
• Strong communication skills and ability to translate complex analysis into clear insights. Expertise in using actuarial models, data, and analytical tools to drive business decisions, is preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to lead through experienced actuarial leaders and operate at a strategic level

Skills That Will Help You Stand Out

• • Ability to integrate perspectives across pricing, financial reporting (US GAAP / VM‑21), and risk management into a cohesive view of business performance
  • Strong understanding of VA / RILA products and market risk drivers, with the ability to translate into business decisions
  • Proven effectiveness partnering across functions, including product, investments, finance, and risk
  • Track record of improving models, analytics, and processes to enhance decision-making

Work Environments/Locations

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, Charlotte, NC, and Raleigh, 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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