Asst Director-Engineering

Principal Financial Group • Des Moines, IA

3d • Hybrid

About The Position

This is an exciting opportunity to lead the technology department for the Annuities space in the Retirement & Income Solutions division. This position will partner Annuities leaders, and with leaders from the Pension Solutions and Platform engineering teams, to deliver a transformation of business operations and customer outcomes. This is multi-year transformation from Java and mainframe technologies to cloud-native technologies and critical third-party platforms. We are looking for an experienced engineering leader to continue to drive our product approach, while also leading our technology modernization and successfully transforming our organizations. This person will have responsibility for resourcing decisions, budgetary management, partnership with global partners, and act as the primary technology representative for Principal’s Annuities business. Capable of identifying business growth opportunities enabled by technology and executing them against those opportunities. Assertiveness to drive outcomes and the ability to influence stakeholders to achieve the best outcome for our customers and business. Communicate technical concepts to business stakeholders as well as business objectives to the technical team. Use strong communication skills to collaborate effectively with all stakeholders including customers, senior management and other business leaders. Drive a culture of high quality by setting clear expectations and ensuring teams consistently deliver reliable, secure, and maintainable solutions. Partner closely with product and delivery leaders to build quality into the way work is planned and executed, not inspected at the end. Use data to identify gaps and guide improvement, while coaching engineers to take ownership design and delivery. Raise the bar over time by challenging teams to simplify work, reduce rework, and build pride and accountability in the quality of what they deliver. Create a culture of transparency and clear accountability. Set clear expectations for team members; solicit, synthesize and deliver feedback. Motivate team members to act and engage employees with a compelling mission and vision. Act on performance concerns, coaching up or out. Create and communicate a bold direction that inspires results. Create strategy and paint the picture for others surrounding appropriate principles and practices that result in a stable, valuable delivery system. Understand overall business and technology architecture. Quickly break down complex problems into potential solutions Think globally (across teams, across programs, across business units). Work to create resiliency in both systems and in processes. Evaluate new technology developments. Consult and communicate with business partners to understand business strategy and make recommendations on future technical trends/directions that encompass multiple systems and teams to meet business strategic initiatives. Facilitate strategic discussions and execute tactical plans. Set strategic direction at the portfolio level; able to look ahead 12-24 months. Identify areas of greatest need and create plans to improve them. Consistently influence decision-making at the business level. Model a growth mindset and mentor and coach others. Manage and develop staff in an effective manner to promote individual development, improve retention, and ensure success in a team environment. Raise the performance bar. Recognize people with exceptional talent and willingly move them throughout the organization. Develop the team and leaders and be serious about their role in coaching others. Listen attentively, speak candidly and treat others respectfully. Stay connected to the details, audit frequently and be skeptical when metrics and anecdotes differ. Respectfully differentiate empowerment and challenging decisions. Think long term and don't sacrifice long-term value for short-term results. Act on behalf of the entire company, beyond just team/division. Develop and manage departmental budget, objectives, policies, and procedures.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree (preference in a computer science, technology, engineering or math-related field) or equivalent experience.
• 8+ years of relevant experience.
• 4+ years of technology leadership experience managing and mentoring direct reports preferred.
• Excellent leadership, problem solving, analytical, and decision-making skills.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Overall knowledge of the organization.
• Broad knowledge of the technology functions of the company.

Nice To Haves

• 4+ years of technology leadership experience managing and mentoring direct reports.

Responsibilities

• Lead the technology department for the Annuities space in the Retirement & Income Solutions division.
• Partner with Annuities leaders, and leaders from Pension Solutions and Platform engineering teams, to deliver a transformation of business operations and customer outcomes.
• Drive product approach, technology modernization, and organizational transformation.
• Manage resourcing decisions and budgetary responsibilities.
• Partner with global partners.
• Act as the primary technology representative for Principal’s Annuities business.
• Identify business growth opportunities enabled by technology and execute them.
• Communicate technical concepts to business stakeholders and business objectives to the technical team.
• Collaborate effectively with all stakeholders including customers, senior management and other business leaders.
• Drive a culture of high quality by setting clear expectations and ensuring teams deliver reliable, secure, and maintainable solutions.
• Partner closely with product and delivery leaders to build quality into work planning and execution.
• Use data to identify gaps and guide improvement, while coaching engineers on ownership of design and delivery.
• Challenge teams to simplify work, reduce rework, and build pride and accountability in quality.
• Create a culture of transparency and clear accountability.
• Set clear expectations for team members; solicit, synthesize and deliver feedback.
• Motivate team members and engage employees with a compelling mission and vision.
• Act on performance concerns, coaching up or out.
• Create and communicate a bold direction that inspires results.
• Create strategy and outline principles and practices for a stable, valuable delivery system.
• Understand overall business and technology architecture.
• Break down complex problems into potential solutions.
• Think globally across teams, programs, and business units.
• Create resiliency in systems and processes.
• Evaluate new technology developments.
• Consult and communicate with business partners to understand business strategy and make recommendations on future technical trends/directions.
• Facilitate strategic discussions and execute tactical plans.
• Set strategic direction at the portfolio level (12-24 months ahead).
• Identify areas of greatest need and create plans to improve them.
• Influence decision-making at the business level.
• Model a growth mindset and mentor and coach others.
• Manage and develop staff to promote individual development, improve retention, and ensure team success.
• Recognize and develop people with exceptional talent.
• Develop the team and leaders, emphasizing their role in coaching others.
• Listen attentively, speak candidly and treat others respectfully.
• Stay connected to the details, audit frequently, and be skeptical when metrics and anecdotes differ.
• Respectfully differentiate empowerment and challenging decisions.
• Think long term and avoid sacrificing long-term value for short-term results.
• Act on behalf of the entire company.
• Develop and manage departmental budget, objectives, policies, and procedures.

Benefits

• 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.
• Pension Eligible

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Education Level: Associate degree