Director, Strategic Partnership Initiatives (Private Equity)

Principal Financial Group • Des Moines, IA

14h

About The Position

We are seeking a strategic and relationship-driven Director, Strategic Partnership Initiatives – Private Equity to expand and deepen our partnerships with private equity firms and investment partners. This individual will be responsible for identifying new opportunities, cultivating executive-level relationships, and building and executing a scalable strategy to unlock growth across our retirement platform with a focus on alternative investment product expansion solutions. Design and execute a comprehensive growth strategy focused on building relationships with investment companies, private equity firms and their portfolio companies. Identify, evaluate, and pursue new partnership opportunities that align with company objectives and drive revenue. Build and manage a robust pipeline of partnership opportunities, tracking progress against growth and revenue targets. Serve as the primary contact to grow alternative solutions in the retirement platform, fostering trusted, long-term relationships to create growth opportunities. Monitor private equity market trends, competitive activity, and deal flow to identify emerging opportunities. Act as a subject matter expert at private equity forums, industry conferences, and executive networking events. Partner with internal stakeholders (sales, product, strategic relations, strategy, legal, and marketing) to create value-driven solutions tailored to the needs of private equity partners. 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! Heavy incentive component in addition to salary listed. Apply today!

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree finance, business, or related field; MBA or advanced degree preferred.
• 10+ years of experience in business development, private equity, investment banking, defined contribution, or strategic partnerships, with a proven track record of closing and scaling high-value relationships.
• Deep understanding of the private equity ecosystem, including fund structures, portfolio company needs, and industry trends.
• Strong executive presence with the ability to engage and influence C-suite stakeholders.
• Excellent negotiation and communication skills are essential, including verbal, written, interpersonal and strong presentation skills.
• Ability to operate in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment with a results-driven mindset.
• Extensive travel and overnight stays required (approximately 50%-75% of the time).
• Licenses Required within 5 months of employment: Successful Registration as an Investment Company Products/Variable contracts Limited Representative (FINRA Series 6 or equivalent).

Nice To Haves

• Experience with private equity and alternative strategies specific to the Defined Contribution space is strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute a comprehensive growth strategy focused on building relationships with investment companies, private equity firms and their portfolio companies.
• Identify, evaluate, and pursue new partnership opportunities that align with company objectives and drive revenue. Build and manage a robust pipeline of partnership opportunities, tracking progress against growth and revenue targets.
• Serve as the primary contact to grow alternative solutions in the retirement platform, fostering trusted, long-term relationships to create growth opportunities.
• Monitor private equity market trends, competitive activity, and deal flow to identify emerging opportunities.
• Act as a subject matter expert at private equity forums, industry conferences, and executive networking events.
• Partner with internal stakeholders (sales, product, strategic relations, strategy, legal, and marketing) to create value-driven solutions tailored to the needs of private equity partners.

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: Director
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees