AVP - Global Head of Front Office Investment Technology

Principal Financial Group

Des Moines, IA

What You'll Do

We’re looking for an AVP – Global Head of Front Office Investment Technology to join our Asset Management team. The AVP is accountable for defining and executing a forward‑looking global front‑office technology strategy that directly enables investment performance, scale, and competitive advantage. Reporting to the Executive Managing Director - Chief Information Officer, this leader will partner closely with investment professionals, front‑office leadership, and business stakeholders to deliver modern, resilient, and data‑driven technology capabilities that support portfolio management, trading, research, and investment decision‑making across public and private asset classes.

As the organization continues on an ambitious growth trajectory, this role is critically important to evolving front‑office technology platforms and data capabilities that enhance alpha generation, improve speed to insight, and strengthen risk management. The AVP will play a central role in advancing the firm’s digital investment agenda by modernizing front‑office platforms, improving data accessibility and quality, and enabling seamless integration across the investment lifecycle.

This leader will foster a high‑performance, engineering‑led culture and drive strong alignment between investment strategy and technology execution, ensuring scalable, secure, and globally consistent solutions that meet the needs of investment teams across geographies.

Key Responsibilities

Front Office Technology Strategy & Leadership

Shape and execute a global front‑office investment technology strategy aligned with the firm’s investment objectives, focusing on portfolio management, trading, research, analytics, and investment data. Champion engineering excellence, agility, and innovation in support of superior investment outcomes and business growth.
Drive adoption of AI frameworks, tools and practices in product design, application development, and workflow automation across the organization.

Investment Enablement & Decision Support

Advance front‑office digital capabilities that improve investment decision‑making, transparency, and speed to market. Partner with investment leaders to ensure technology solutions directly support alpha generation, risk management, and differentiated investment processes.

Platform & Data Modernization

Lead the evolution of front‑office platforms and investment data ecosystems, ensuring reliable, high‑quality, and accessible data that integrates across front, middle, and back‑office systems. Drive modernization efforts that enhance scalability, resilience, and operational efficiency.

Executive Partnership & Governance

Serve as a trusted advisor to the Chief Information Officer and senior investment leadership. Actively participate in the Principal AM Technology leadership team and collaborate with governance and advisory bodies, including investment committees and the 40‑Act Mutual Fund Board, to align technology priorities with business and regulatory expectations.

Multi-Functional Collaboration

Partner closely with front‑office, operations, risk, compliance, and enterprise technology leaders to prioritize initiatives, resolve trade‑offs, and ensure seamless end‑to‑end investment workflows. Represent front‑office needs within enterprise technology forums and ensure alignment with broader organizational strategy.

Global Leadership & Culture

Lead and develop high‑performing, globally distributed technology teams. Foster an inclusive, collaborative culture that encourages innovation, continuous improvement, and accountability, while delivering measurable business impact.

External Perspective & Industry Engagement

Represent the firm externally by engaging with industry peers, vendors, and partners. Participate in industry forums and events to bring forward emerging trends, standards, and innovative ideas that strengthen the firm’s front‑office technology capabilities and market reputation.

Who You Are

Bachelor’s degree (preference for computer science, engineering, technology, or a related field) or equivalent experience
15+ years of relevant experience, with 10+ years in senior technology leadership roles supporting investment management or capital markets
Proven experience leadingfront‑office investment technologydomains such as portfolio management, trading, research platforms, analytics, and investment data
Strong ability to craft and articulate a compelling front‑office technology vision aligned to investment and business outcomes
Demonstrated strategic outlook with a data‑driven approach to decision‑making and partner alignment
Excellent leadership, problem‑solving, analytical, and decision‑making skills
Willingness and ability to travel regularly, primarily to corporate headquarters in Des Moines, Iowa, with occasional international travel

Skills That Will Help You Stand Out

Deep understanding of asset management front‑office workflows across public and private asset classes
Experience partnering directly with portfolio managers, traders, and investment researchers to deliver technology solutions that enhance performance and insight
Strong knowledge of investment data architectures, analytics, and modern front‑office platforms
Experience operating in a global, highly regulated environment and collaborating with risk and compliance partners
Demonstrable ability to lead through influence, build credibility with senior investment leaders, and drive outcomes in complex, matrixed organizations

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

$242000 - $328000 / 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

Our Engineering Culture

Through our product-driven Agile/Lean DevOps environment, we’ve fostered a culture of innovation and experimentation across our development teams. As a customer-focused organization, we work closely with our end users and product owners to understand and rapidly respond to emerging business needs.

Collaboration is embedded into everything we do – from the products we develop to the quality service we provide. We’re driven by the belief that diversity of thought, background, and perspective is critical to creating the best products and experiences for our customers.

Location(s)

Des Moines, Iowa, New York, New York, Denver, Colorado

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 WorkersandGreen 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 ourcareers siteto 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.

Date First Posted (TTF)

3/19/2026