AVP - ESOP Client Services

What You'll Do

The Principal Financial Group is looking for an Assistant Vice President, ESOP Client Services! The AVP – ESOP Client Services role is responsible for leading day-to-day service and administration for ESOP clients, ensuring exceptional client experiences, operational efficiency, and compliance. The AVP oversees client service leaders and the ESOP Client Transition team.

 

Key Responsibilities:

• Client Experience & Service Leadership:
  Lead client-facing teams to support ESOP sponsors and participants. Improve service models, use performance metrics for decision-making, and resolve complex client issues. Collaborate across business lines to ensure a client-centric approach.

• Team Leadership & Talent Development:
  Manage a multi-level team; set expectations, coach leaders, and drive a culture of accountability and continuous improvement. Align team structure and capacity with business needs and develop future leadership.

• Operational Excellence & Onboarding:
  Partner with operations to ensure scalable, compliant processes. Oversee onboarding for new clients, improve workflows, and collaborate across departments to enhance service delivery using data-driven insights.

• Financial Oversight & Risk Management:
  Manage client-level P&L, focusing on retention and growth while delivering within budget. Identify and mitigate client-related risks in coordination with Risk, Legal, and Compliance teams.

Who You Are

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Finance, or a related field; MBA or professional designation (e.g., CEBS, QKA) preferred.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in retirement plan services, with at least 5 years in leadership roles required.
• Proven experience overseeing client services teams in a highly regulated, client-centric environment.
• Experience driving process improvements and service model innovations to enhance operational efficiency and client satisfaction in complex plan environments.
• Deep understanding of the retirement industry, business operations, and client service.
• Strong people leadership and team-building capabilities with the ability to manage cross-functional teams.
• Excellent client relationship management, problem-solving, and negotiation skills.
• Data-driven mindset with a focus on service quality and continuous improvement.
• Ability to navigate complex organizational structures and drive change collaboratively.

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)

$153000 - $207000 / 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 (blending at least three office days in a typical workweek) work arrangements. We will consider relocation as part of an 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

7/23/2025

Most Recently Posted Date

7/23/2025

LinkedIn Remote Hashtag

#LI-Remote

LinkedIn Hashtag

#LI-MT1

Salary : $153,000 - $207,000