Investment Operations Analyst

Principal Financial Group • Des Moines, IA

1d

About The Position

The Investment Operations Analyst supports the lifecycle of investments, with an emphasis on collateral management. The role works with internal teams and external partners, including brokers and custodians, to reconcile information, support margin activity, resolve discrepancies, and help ensure transactions are processed accurately and on time. It is suitable for an early-career candidate with a relevant finance-related degree as well as candidates with prior investment or mutual fund operations exposure; previous investment operations experience is preferred but not required.

The analyst independently executes routine and intermediate investment operations transactions under established procedures. The role supports collateral activity involving derivatives, brokers, and custodians; establishes securities, compliance rules, accounts, and reports; investigates client-data issues and trade, reconciliation, and compliance exceptions; and prepares reporting while maintaining controls. The analyst collaborates across operations, legal, relationship management, technology, banking, investment, and trading teams, develops knowledge of products and procedures, and contributes to projects, process reviews, and system enhancements supporting global investment initiatives.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in accounting, finance, economics, or business.
• 0+ years of investment/mutual fund operations or related experience.
• High attention to detail and understanding of the importance of accuracy.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, interpersonal, time-management, and communication skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively and collaborate with internal and external partners.
• Ability to prioritize competing responsibilities, work under deadline pressure, and adjust when business needs change.
• Ability to produce accurate and timely work with limited supervision.
• Client-service mindset.

Nice To Haves

• Previous investment or mutual fund operations experience.
• Exposure to collateral management or collateral terminology.
• Experience with wire activity.
• Knowledge of financial-services and investment terminology.
• Experience with Eagle for accounting and Excel for reconciliations or macros.

Responsibilities

• Independently execute routine and intermediate investment operations transactions and identify and resolve issues according to established procedures.
• Support collateral management activities involving derivatives, brokers, and custodians, including reconciling market and derivative values and supporting margin-related transactions.
• Support incoming and outgoing collateral activity, including applicable wire activity, and facilitate booking applicable transactions into accounting systems.
• Establish securities, compliance rules, accounts, and reports that support trading, reconciliation, settlement, and client reporting processes.
• Investigate and resolve client-data issues, trade and reconciliation breaks, and compliance-related exceptions; escalate more complex matters when appropriate.
• Prepare reporting and maintain controls consistent with established policies and client needs.
• Collaborate with operations staff, legal, relationship management, technology teams, banks, brokers, custodians, portfolio managers, and traders to gather information and resolve issues.
• Develop understanding of investment products, procedures, and client needs through research, learning opportunities, and ongoing investment activities.
• Contribute to projects, process reviews, and system enhancements supporting global investment initiatives.
• Perform other job-related duties and special projects as needed.

Benefits

• Personal Time Off (PTO) for hourly employees, accrued each pay period and usable for vacation, personal time, or short-term illness.
• Comprehensive, competitive benefit offerings intended to support employees' physical, financial, and social well-being.
• Non-sales positions have the opportunity to participate in a bonus program.

What This Job Offers

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