Director, Business Strategy (Enterprise Data & Analytics)

Principal Financial Group•Des Moines, IA

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

We’re looking for a Director of Business Strategy to join our Enterprise Data & Analytics (EDA) team. In this role, you'll provide strategic leadership for the Chief Data & Analytics Office by shaping, advancing, and enabling execution of the enterprise data, analytics, and AI strategy and operating model within EDA. You'll operate in alignment and close collaboration with the enterprise technology community strategy, ensuring priorities are connected and consistently delivered. This is a high impact role that partners closely with senior leaders across data & analytics, enterprise technology, and business strategy functions to translate enterprise and technology community direction into clear, actionable priorities and measurable outcomes.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in business, technology, engineering, or a related field
10+ years of experience in strategy, operating model leadership, enterprise transformation, or related fields
Demonstrated ability to operate effectively with executive and board-level stakeholders, influencing decisions and driving alignment across senior leadership
Strong strategic thinking and synthesis skills, with the ability to translate complex concepts into clear, actionable insights and executive-ready communications
Deep understanding of operating model design, organizational effectiveness, and governance principles, particularly within data & analytics or technology environments
Experience leading through influence in a highly matrixed environment, building alignment across functions without direct authority

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree (MBA or equivalent) preferred
Experience in financial services and technology-enabled transformation
Experience in driving and tracking strategic priorities through OKRs, metrics, or similar performance management frameworks

Responsibilities

Shapes and evolves the enterprise Data, Analytics, and AI strategy to ensure alignment with enterprise priorities and changing business needs.
Partners with senior leaders to interpret and refine strategic direction, translating enterprise and technology community priorities into clear, actionable focus areas.
Leads the design, evolution, and ongoing maturity of the Data & Analytics Operating Model, ensuring it supports scale, clarity, and organizational effectiveness.
Aligns operating model priorities with enterprise and technology community direction while driving continuous improvement.
Monitors adoption and effectiveness, finding opportunities to enhance consistency and performance without requiring large-scale redesigns.
Establishes and manages the strategic planning cadence for EDA, including prioritization, planning cycles, and executive-level reporting.
Ensures alignment between enterprise priorities and EDA initiatives by connecting leadership direction to ongoing work.
Provides front-office leadership and coordination, managing executive requests, emerging priorities, and ensuring follow-through across initiatives.
Partners with senior leaders to develop clear, compelling executive narratives that translate complex strategy into actionable insights and decisions.
Supports materials and communications for senior leadership forums, including senior leadership team, executive management group, and Board discussions, ensuring alignment in how strategy, progress, and priorities are communicated across the enterprise.
Reinforces a consistent strategic story that connects enterprise, technology community, and EDA priorities.
Acts as a key connector across Data & Analytics, business strategy, enterprise technology, corporate strategy, and shared services functions to align priorities, dependencies, and execution.
Partners with senior stakeholders to ensure EDA initiatives are integrated with enterprise strategy and the broader technology community approach.
Builds alignment and drives outcomes in a highly matrixed environment through influence rather than direct authority.