Attorney/ Counsel

Principal Financial Group • Des Moines, IA

18h • Hybrid

About The Position

We're seeking a highly motivated counsel to join Principal’s corporate legal team. This role will support a broad range of corporate legal matters, with a focus on supporting mergers and acquisitions (M&A) and other strategic transactions as well as corporate secretarial and governance matters. This role will also serve as a corporate generalist, supporting evolving needs within the corporate legal team, which may include data privacy and security, technology and human resources. This position offers great exposure to sophisticated transactions and corporate operations, collaboration with senior in‑house attorneys and business leaders, and strong opportunities for professional growth within Principal’s Law, Compliance and Government Relations group. 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!

Requirements

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school.
• Admission to practice law in the State of Iowa or the ability to obtain such licensure and remain in good standing.
• 3+ years of relevant legal experience, gained in a law firm and/or in‑house legal department.
• Experience in corporate law, with meaningful exposure to M&A or other complex transactions and general corporate matters.
• Strong legal research, drafting, and negotiation skills, with attention to detail.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and the ability to explain legal issues clearly to non‑legal stakeholders.
• Strong judgment, analytical skills, and a practical, solutions‑oriented approach.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced environment with professionalism and discretion.

Nice To Haves

• Exposure to the financial services or other highly regulated industries.
• Prior experience in treasury, privacy, data protection, technology or human resource‑related legal issues.
• 5+ years of corporate legal experience

Responsibilities

• Support the corporate transactions legal team across all stages of domestic and international M&A and other strategic transactions, including structuring, legal due diligence, drafting and negotiating transaction documents (e.g., NDAs, letters of intent, purchase agreements), closings, and post‑closing matters (e.g. integration and transition services).
• Coordinate with internal deal teams, external advisors, and subject‑matter experts to ensure transactions are executed efficiently and in compliance with applicable laws, internal policies and contractual requirements.
• Support on corporate secretarial and governance matters for Principal subsidiaries, including entity formation, maintenance, restructuring, and dissolution activities as well as support for board and committee activities.
• Collaborate, train and provide appropriate oversight of paralegals and other support staff who work on corporate secretarial and governance matters.
• Support other corporate legal matters as needed, including treasury, privacy, data protection, and technology and human resource‑related issues, in coordination with subject‑matter experts.
• Monitor legal and regulatory developments relevant to the business and assist with updates to policies, procedures, and internal guidance.
• Coordinate with and manage outside counsel on specific matters, as appropriate, ensuring cost‑effective and high‑quality legal support.

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
• Comprehensive, competitive benefit offerings crafted to protect their physical, financial, and social well-being.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees