Portfolio Management Associate – Data Center

Principal Financial Group • Chicago, IL

16h • Hybrid

About The Position

Join a high-performing team deploying capital in one of the fastest-growing real estate sectors – data centers. As a Portfolio Management Associate on our data center team, you’ll play a key role in managing and growing a unique portfolio. In this role, you’ll support the data center team and collaborate across the Principal ecosystem to ensure each data center investment meets its performance goals and aligns with broader strategy.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree (Finance, Real Estate, Business, or related field).
• 2+ years of relevant experience in real estate investments or asset management (experience investing in or managing a real estate portfolio or data center portfolio).
• Strong financial modeling and analytical skills, with high proficiency in Excel (experience with Argus or similar tools a plus).
• Able to interpret leases/contracts and complex financial documents independently.
• Highly organized and detail-oriented, able to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Proactive and self-motivated problem solver with a continuous improvement mindset.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Comfortable collaborating across teams and presenting findings to stakeholders, including senior leaders.
• A team player who builds relationships and contributes to a positive, high-performance culture.
• Willingness to travel (~10%) to visit assets or meet partners as needed.

Nice To Haves

• experience with Argus or similar tools

Responsibilities

• Help develop and execute annual asset business plans and budgets to meet or exceed income, appreciation, and occupancy targets.
• Monitor asset performance against underwriting and market benchmarks, flagging opportunities and risks to drive value.
• Assist in underwriting and executing new investments, development projects, and leasing transactions.
• Evaluate deal opportunities (including tenant credit and lease terms) to ensure they meet return targets and support the platform’s growth.
• Deliver timely, accurate asset valuations and investor reports, including variance analysis versus budgets.
• Maintain detailed financial models (e.g., DCF) to support decision-making and ensure current market assumptions are reflected.
• Coordinate closely with others across the team.
• Maintain relationships with joint venture partners, leasing brokers, and property managers, and work with internal teams (finance, legal, engineering, etc.) to ensure smooth execution of asset initiatives and client objectives.

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.
• bonus program

What This Job Offers

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