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Senior Associate, Manager Research

Role overview

Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree in business or related field, preferably with a major in finance or economics.
  • 5 years of investment-related experience.
  • Minimum of 2 years of experience in manager oversight.
  • Solid understanding of investment managers and general knowledge of current economic and financial market conditions.

Responsibilities

  • Lead manager identification, selection, due diligence, monitoring, and termination work for assigned coverage areas.
  • Develop and maintain analytics used in manager selection, manager pairings, vehicle pricing, performance/risk/return attribution, LDI tracking, projected returns analysis, and portfolio construction support.
  • Support portfolio strategists and client-facing teams with asset allocation modeling, risk analytics, scenario analysis, compare/contrast portfolio work, and custom client solution analytics.
  • Translate technical investment analysis into clear talking points, bullet points, and storylines that client-facing partners can use with clients.

Key facts

Other skills

  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Communication
  • Detail Oriented
  • Time Management

About the company

Principal Financial Group logo

Principal Financial Group

Financial Services

Principal Financial Group® is dedicated to improving the wealth and well-being of people and businesses around the world—helping more than 45M customers plan, protect, invest, and retire. Along the way, we commit to supporting the communities where we do business. Improving our planet. And building a diverse, inclusive workforce. We’re proud to be recognized as one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies, a member of the Bloomberg Gender Equality Index, and a Top 10 “Best Places to Work in Money Management.*” *Pensions & Investments, 2020 Disclosure: Principal® is an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer and an E-Verify participant. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to of age, race, color, religion, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, national origin, citizenship status, disability, genetic characteristics, sexual orientation, marital status, domestic partner status, military status, protected veteran status, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Principal will never ask for money during any stage of the employment application or hiring process. If you're asked to send money or share personal financial information as part of next steps in the process, do not engage or respond. Contact Principal Human Resources at 833-261-3736 and your local law enforcement. The Principal Financial Group Foundation, Inc. (the “Principal Foundation”) is a duly recognized 501(c)(3) entity focused on providing philanthropic support to programs that build financial security in the communities where Principal Financial Group, Inc. (“Principal”) operates. While the Principal Foundation receives funding from Principal, the Principal Foundation is a distinct, independent, charitable entity. The Principal Foundation does not practice any form of investment advisory services and is not authorized to do so. principal.com/social-media-disclosures

Company details

Company typeXLarge
IndustryFinancial Services
Company size10001

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Job description

What You'll Do:

We’re looking for a Senior Associate, Manager Research to join our OCIO Manager Research / Analytics team. In this role, you’ll lead traditional manager research for assigned asset classes while supporting broader investment analytics, asset allocation modeling, and portfolio strategy work for client-facing teams.

 

RESPONSIBILITIES 

  • Lead manager identification, selection, due diligence, monitoring, and termination work for assigned coverage areas, including approved manager list oversight and quarterly manager research calls. 
  • Develop and maintain analytics used in manager selection, manager pairings, vehicle pricing, performance/risk/return attribution, LDI tracking, projected returns analysis, and portfolio construction support. 
  • Support portfolio strategists and client-facing teams with asset allocation modeling, risk analytics, scenario analysis, compare/contrast portfolio work, and custom client solution analytics. 
  • Translate technical investment analysis into clear talking points, bullet points, and storylines that client-facing partners can use with clients. 
  • Contribute to investment governance and committee support, including performance, attribution, risk analytics, fiduciary process support, and cross-functional collaboration with operations, IT, actuarial, and data science partners. 

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! 

Principal Asset Management is the global investment solutions business for Principal Financial Group® (Nasdaq: PFG), managing about $740 billion in assets and over 60 years of experience. Principal Asset Management has been recognized as a “Best Places to Work in Money Management” for 14 consecutive years! Check us out at www.principalam.com! 

Who You Are:
  • Bachelor’s degree in business or related field, preferably with a major in finance or economics. 
  • 5 years of investment-related experience. 
  • Minimum of 2 years of experience in manager oversight. 
  • Solid understanding of investment managers and general knowledge of current economic and financial market conditions, with proven ability to efficiently research, compile, and analyze information. 
  • Advanced Excel ability and proficiency with PowerPoint.

 

SKILLS THAT WILL HELP YOU STAND OUT 

  • Experience in an OCIO environment. 
  • Experience with Morningstar Direct and FactSet. 
  • Manager research experience across large cap equities, international, or LDI institutional asset classes. 
  • Interest in broader investment support work, including asset allocation strategy, modeling, portfolio analytics, and client solution analysis. 
  • Experience using AI or process improvement approaches to create efficiencies in investment research or analytics workflows. 
  • Excellent written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills. 
  • High degree of professionalism, organization, attention to detail, and ability to prioritize and manage expectations in a fast-paced work environment. 

 

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: $127000 - $171000 / year Salary Details:

Compensation

The base salary range for this role is $127,000 – $171,000 as indicated above. Final compensation will be determined based on skills, experience, and alignment with the role’s responsibilities.

 

In addition to base pay, this role participates in an annual profit share bonus plan. Note your base expectations when answering the application questions. 

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: No Additional Information:

Work Environments and Locations

We’re open to considering remote and hybrid talent. Locations for hybrid talent include Des Moines, IA or a Principal office (if available in your community).  Check out our global headquarters here:

Work Authorization/Sponsorship

At this time, we're not considering candidates 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. Date First Posted (TTF): 7/17/2026 Latest Post Date: Careers - US: 7/17/2026

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