Director, Architecture & Engineering

Principal Financial Group • Chicago, IL

18h • $157,000 - $213,000

About The Position

We’re looking for a Director, Architecture and Engineering – Asset Management to join our Principal Real Estate team. As part of a dedicated Separate Account Team serving a 3rd party institutional client, you would oversee the architectural, engineering, construction and environmental aspects of real estate transactions!
Development: Manage entitlement, budgeting, design, bidding, construction, and close‑out activities for development, redevelopment, environmental remediation, capital projects, and tenant improvements. Oversee project teams from selection through completion, review design documents, support value engineering, monitor sustainability goals, and guide field progress to reduce risk and enhance asset value.
Acquisitions/Dispositions: Lead due diligence for acquisitions, mortgages, dispositions, and foreclosures - evaluating building systems, construction quality, environmental and seismic conditions, and long‑term capital needs. Provide expert recommendations and cost assessments to support accurate underwriting and risk evaluation.
Asset Management: Provide guidance and technical expertise to asset management, portfolio management, property management, and leasing teams on all physical aspects of the real estate portfolio.
Sustainability: Develop and execute sustainability initiatives aligned with client goals, including energy/water efficiency, renewable and on‑site generation opportunities, and building automation improvements. Pursue LEED, ENERGY STAR, and other industry certifications. Identify and secure rebates, incentives, and tax benefits for eligible projects.
Industry leadership: Stay current on industry trends, engineering standards, and best practices. Represent client interests in industry forums to strengthen risk management, protect asset value, and support competitive investment performance.
Principal Asset Management is the global investment solutions business for Principal Financial Group® (Nasdaq: PFG), managing about $580 billion in assets and over 60 years of experience. Principal Asset Management has been recognized as a “Best Places to Work in Money Management” for 14 consecutive years! Check us out at www.principalam.com!

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree and professional licensure in Architecture, Mechanical Engineering, Construction Management, Civil/Environmental Engineering or other applicable field
• 10+ years of relevant post-licensure experience, working in either a related position at an investment firm - or in an architectural, engineering, or construction management position
• Must have comprehensive knowledge of applicable regulatory standards

Nice To Haves

• Prior experience at an investment management firm is beneficial
• Project management experience in a variety of building project types such as senior living, multi-family residential, office, retail, and industrial
• Experience working with joint venture partners
• Ability to manage third-party technical consultants, interpret reports and provide recommendations for in-house asset management staff
• Master's Degree
• Strong client service orientation
• Ability to make effective, critical high-impact decisions, creative problem-solving capabilities, and proven consulting and project management skills
• Assertive, diplomatic and positive
• Travel about 30% including to Des Moines twice a quarter if not living at our headquarter location.

Responsibilities

• Manage entitlement, budgeting, design, bidding, construction, and close‑out activities for development, redevelopment, environmental remediation, capital projects, and tenant improvements.
• Oversee project teams from selection through completion, review design documents, support value engineering, monitor sustainability goals, and guide field progress to reduce risk and enhance asset value.
• Lead due diligence for acquisitions, mortgages, dispositions, and foreclosures - evaluating building systems, construction quality, environmental and seismic conditions, and long‑term capital needs.
• Provide expert recommendations and cost assessments to support accurate underwriting and risk evaluation.
• Provide guidance and technical expertise to asset management, portfolio management, property management, and leasing teams on all physical aspects of the real estate portfolio.
• Develop and execute sustainability initiatives aligned with client goals, including energy/water efficiency, renewable and on‑site generation opportunities, and building automation improvements.
• Pursue LEED, ENERGY STAR, and other industry certifications.
• Identify and secure rebates, incentives, and tax benefits for eligible projects.
• Stay current on industry trends, engineering standards, and best practices.
• Represent client interests in industry forums to strengthen risk management, protect asset value, and support competitive investment performance.

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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees