ESOP Manager - Operations

ESOP Operations Manager

The ESOP Operations Manager is responsible for leading a team to ensure work is completed accurately and timely, delivering excellent customer service that drives satisfaction and retention. This role focuses on managing expenses, supporting profitable growth, maintaining strong operational performance, and plays a key role in motivating and developing the team to achieve business goals.

Here are some examples of the kinds of things you'll do :

Establish and achieve division goals that align with business unit and corporate priorities. Keep senior leadership informed of results, emerging trends, and significant updates.

Manage leader performance to ensure the right people are in the right roles. Build a team culture that values trust, accountability, creativity, and collaboration, while encouraging ownership and participation in decision-making.

Develop and oversee the department's budget, staffing, and organizational plans, ensuring effective implementation and ongoing evaluation.

Foster strong working relationships across the business unit and company to identify and address customer and organizational needs. Promote collaboration and communication among service teams to enhance service delivery across multiple product lines.

Resolve escalated issues of a sensitive or critical nature, negotiate solutions, and act as a customer liaison when necessary.

Perform other job-related duties and 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 talented team environment.

Who You Are

6+ years of related business experience (Accounting or Finance preferred)

Demonstrated informal leadership experience, such as leading projects, mentoring colleagues, or taking initiative to improve processes.

Bachelor's degree or equivalent preferred

Requires excellent analytical, problem solving, communication, organizational / management, interpersonal, and negotiation skills

Must be knowledgeable about ESOPs and have a strong customer service background

Open to occasional overnight travel (1-3 times per year) to participate in customer meetings and industry conferences may be necessary

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)

$100800 - $167000 / 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

Job level

We'll consider hiring a candidate at the next level with the right experience and skills.

Work Environments

This role offers in-office, 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 candidates that need any @type of immigration sponsorship now or in the future or those needing work authorization for this role. (This includes, but is not limited to students on F1-OPT, F1-CPT, 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 Global Investors 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

10 / 23 / 2025

Most Recently Posted Date

10 / 23 / 2025