Assistant Director, Marketing Thought Leadership

What You'll Do

Are you a strategic content leader with a passion for driving thought leadership that shapes industry conversations and strengthens brand distinction?

 

Principal Financial Group is looking for an Assistant Director – Marketing, Thought Leadership to lead and execute our Benefits & Protection (B&P) Business Unit’s thought leadership strategy. In this pivotal role, you’ll be responsible for developing a compelling content roadmap that positions Principal as a forward-thinking leader in the financial services industry.

 

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and lead a robust thought leadership strategy that aligns with business priorities and elevates Principal’s voice within the financial services landscape.
• Establish and maintain an editorial calendar that includes white papers, research studies, articles, and industry insights—designed to spark engagement and shape industry narratives.
• Collaborate with subject matter experts to distill complex ideas into accessible, insightful, and engaging content across diverse formats.
• Lead the creation of non-product content for various communication platforms, including blogs, webinars, social media, and executive bylines.
• Partner with the research team to design and implement original studies and reports that generate industry-defining insights and spark media and market interest.
• Coordinate with enterprise communications to ensure strategic distribution and amplification of content across internal and external channels.
• Support B&P distribution and financial professionals by delivering relevant, actionable content that reinforces thought leadership positioning.
• Measure content performance to refine strategy and maximize impact, using data to guide decision-making.

Who You Are

Who you are:

• Bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, journalism, or a related field—or equivalent experience.
• 10 years of experience in content strategy, development, and execution, with a strong focus on thought leadership. Background working with PR/media is a plus.
• Exceptional writing, editing, and storytelling skills—able to turn industry knowledge into compelling narratives.
• Proven leadership experience, with a track record of managing high-performing, collaborative teams.
• Deep understanding of the financial services sector, particularly group benefits, business owner life and disability insurance, and non-qualified deferred compensation.
• Strong communication, presentation, and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Effective at managing complex projects with multiple collaborators and priorities.
• Skilled in using performance metrics and audience insights to optimize content strategy.

 

Why Join Us?

At Principal, you’ll have the opportunity to drive thought leadership that makes a real impact—shaping industry perspectives, influencing key stakeholders, and differentiating our brand in a competitive market. If you’re a strategic thinker and creative communicator who thrives in a fast-paced, collaborative environment, we’d love to hear from you.

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)

$123000 - $155000 / 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 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

6/25/2025

Most Recently Posted Date

6/25/2025

Salary : $123,000 - $155,000