AVP - Global Head of Front Office Investment Technology

Principal Financial Group • New York, NY

12h • $242,000 - $328,000

About The Position

We’re looking for an AVP – Global Head of Front Office Investment Technology to join our Asset Management team. The AVP is accountable for defining and executing a forward‑looking global front‑office technology strategy that directly enables investment performance, scale, and competitive advantage. Reporting to the Executive Managing Director - Chief Information Officer, this leader will partner closely with investment professionals, front‑office leadership, and business stakeholders to deliver modern, resilient, and data‑driven technology capabilities that support portfolio management, trading, research, and investment decision‑making across public and private asset classes.
As the organization continues on an ambitious growth trajectory, this role is critically important to evolving front‑office technology platforms and data capabilities that enhance alpha generation, improve speed to insight, and strengthen risk management. The AVP will play a central role in advancing the firm’s digital investment agenda by modernizing front‑office platforms, improving data accessibility and quality, and enabling seamless integration across the investment lifecycle.
This leader will foster a high‑performance, engineering‑led culture and drive strong alignment between investment strategy and technology execution, ensuring scalable, secure, and globally consistent solutions that meet the needs of investment teams across geographies.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree (preference for computer science, engineering, technology, or a related field) or equivalent experience
• 15+ years of relevant experience, with 10+ years in senior technology leadership roles supporting investment management or capital markets
• Proven experience leading front‑office investment technology domains such as portfolio management, trading, research platforms, analytics, and investment data
• Strong ability to craft and articulate a compelling front‑office technology vision aligned to investment and business outcomes
• Demonstrated strategic outlook with a data‑driven approach to decision‑making and partner alignment
• Excellent leadership, problem‑solving, analytical, and decision‑making skills
• Willingness and ability to travel regularly, primarily to corporate headquarters in Des Moines, Iowa, with occasional international travel

Nice To Haves

• Deep understanding of asset management front‑office workflows across public and private asset classes
• Experience partnering directly with portfolio managers, traders, and investment researchers to deliver technology solutions that enhance performance and insight
• Strong knowledge of investment data architectures, analytics, and modern front‑office platforms
• Experience operating in a global, highly regulated environment and collaborating with risk and compliance partners
• Demonstrable ability to lead through influence, build credibility with senior investment leaders, and drive outcomes in complex, matrixed organizations

Responsibilities

• Front Office Technology Strategy & Leadership
• Shape and execute a global front‑office investment technology strategy aligned with the firm’s investment objectives, focusing on portfolio management, trading, research, analytics, and investment data. Champion engineering excellence, agility, and innovation in support of superior investment outcomes and business growth.
• Drive adoption of AI frameworks, tools and practices in product design, application development, and workflow automation across the organization.
• Investment Enablement & Decision Support
• Advance front‑office digital capabilities that improve investment decision‑making, transparency, and speed to market. Partner with investment leaders to ensure technology solutions directly support alpha generation, risk management, and differentiated investment processes.
• Platform & Data Modernization
• Lead the evolution of front‑office platforms and investment data ecosystems, ensuring reliable, high‑quality, and accessible data that integrates across front, middle, and back‑office systems. Drive modernization efforts that enhance scalability, resilience, and operational efficiency.
• Executive Partnership & Governance
• Serve as a trusted advisor to the Chief Information Officer and senior investment leadership. Actively participate in the Principal AM Technology leadership team and collaborate with governance and advisory bodies, including investment committees and the 40‑Act Mutual Fund Board, to align technology priorities with business and regulatory expectations.
• Multi-Functional Collaboration
• Partner closely with front‑office, operations, risk, compliance, and enterprise technology leaders to prioritize initiatives, resolve trade‑offs, and ensure seamless end‑to-end investment workflows. Represent front‑office needs within enterprise technology forums and ensure alignment with broader organizational strategy.
• Global Leadership & Culture
• Lead and develop high‑performing, globally distributed technology teams. Foster an inclusive, collaborative culture that encourages innovation, continuous improvement, and accountability, while delivering measurable business impact.
• External Perspective & Industry Engagement
• Represent the firm externally by engaging with industry peers, vendors, and partners. Participate in industry forums and events to bring forward emerging trends, standards, and innovative ideas that strengthen the firm’s front‑office technology capabilities and market reputation.

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. Employees don’t accrue a bank of time off under FTO and there is no set number of days provided.
• Pension Eligible

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level