ESOP - Client Service Associate

Looking for a career with the opportunity to learn and belong to a great team in a high-growth business? Come talk with us! If you are a great communicator with strong numerical, critical thinking, and Excel skills; enjoy problem-solving; can adapt quickly to new information and processes; and thrive in a fast-paced environment while working closely with outstanding clients – this is an opportunity for you!

As a Client Service Associate on our Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) Administration team, you’ll be learning and assisting with processes supporting the administration and management of the ESOP under the guidance of senior administrators, and you’ll contribute to accurate record-keeping, participant support, and plan reporting, while gaining expertise in ESOP regulations and best practices.

Here are some examples of what you'll be doing:

• Participating in comprehensive training sessions to gain a thorough understanding of the complete lifecycle of ESOP (Employee Stock Ownership Plan) recordkeeping and client service.
• Collaborating effectively with Client Service Managers to perform a variety of plan administration tasks, including reviewing, analyzing, and validating client-provided source data quickly and accurately to ensure deliverables are completed efficiently.
• Preparing detailed employee status updates and plan-level trust and financial reports.
• Managing complex allocation transactions, ensuring all steps comply with established regulations.
• Conducting compliance testing to confirm that the ESOP adheres to relevant legal and regulatory guidelines.
• Serving as the primary point of contact for a designated caseload of clients, delivering exceptional service and fostering strong client relationships.
• Collaborating with internal and external partners to ensure smooth execution of client deliverables while adapting to changing priorities, process updates, and client needs.
• Performing other job-related duties or special projects as required.

As the #1 recordkeeper of Employee Stock Ownership Plans, Principal provides a wide range of expertise and support to our clients serving nearly 1,200 custom plans involving various levels of complexity. You will proactively assist clients in understanding requirements, plan language and provide a wide range of services and proactive consulting in a dedicated team environment.

• 1+ year of accounting or finance or equivalent experience required.
• Associate or bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Strong organizational skills and exceptional attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and maintain accuracy while working in a fast-paced environment.
• Must have the ability to balance working independently while working in a team environment.
• Ability to adapt to changing processes, absorb new information quickly, and take appropriate action with accuracy and efficiency.
• Must be prepared to complete training within the first year and demonstrate proficiency in different aspects of recordkeeping and service standards.
• Demonstration of a professional attitude and a willingness to learn.

Things that Will Make You Stand Out:

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, with strong emphasis on Excel and the ability to use spreadsheets to organize, analyze, reconcile, and validate data.
• Advanced Excel knowledge required, including the ability to use XLOOKUPs, VLOOKUPs, pivot tables, formulas, filters, and other tools to process information quickly and efficiently; experience using or creating macros is preferred.

The following locations are examples of market-specific salary ranges across different geographies. 

• Wichita, KS: $26.83 – $34.35 / hr
• Des Moines, IA: $28.32 – $36.37 / hr
• Charlotte, NC: $29.81 – $38.38 / hr
• Chicago / Minneapolis: $32.79 – $42.42 / hr
• Los Angeles / New York City: $35.77 – $46.46 / hr

Work Environments

This role offers 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 or Charlotte, 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.

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

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