Program Manager I

Principal Financial Group • Chicago, IL

4h • Hybrid

About The Position

At Principal, we’re looking for a Program Manager to drive complex, high-impact initiatives in our Principal Asset Management business unit. This role is ideal for someone who thrives in ambiguity, brings structure to large initiatives, and can translate strategy into an executable plan with strong governance, clear communication, and disciplined risk/issue management. At Principal, you’ll be expected to shape the narrative, create clarity and momentum, run governance, manage escalation paths, and establish a disciplined execution model in an environment where timelines and accountability may need stronger facilitation.

Requirements

• 8+ years of project, program, or initiative management experience or equivalent
• Strong ability to build end-to-end project plans (schedule, resources, milestones, critical path) and communicate the plan as a clear narrative that drives action.
• Exceptional communication, presentation, facilitation, and leadership skills able to run governance forums and steer decisions with senior audiences.
• Proven ability to influence across a matrix environment and work effectively and autonomously with stakeholders at all levels, including external partners and vendors.
• Results-oriented approach with comfort operating in ambiguity; strong expectation-setting and follow-through.
• Solid understanding of how technology capabilities enable process/workflow improvements.
• Advanced proficiency with PC tools and project planning software (e.g., Microsoft Project, Smartsheet, Excel, PowerPoint or similar).

Nice To Haves

• Asset Management experience and/or knowledge of asset management business processes and industry context.
• Experience leading initiatives that include technology building blocks/foundational components, workflow/process design, centralized testing coordination, and strong alignment to legal/risk/compliance and front/middle/back office requirements.
• PMP designation
• Demonstrated strength in negotiation, stakeholder influence, and managing vendor/procurement processes related to professional services and/or product purchases.
• Experience assessing organizational culture and adapting delivery approach to achieve outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Define the program vision, align work to strategic outcomes, and ensure delivery through strong planning, governance, stakeholder engagement, and oversight of interdependencies across multiple concurrent efforts.
• Lead multiple complex, high-risk, high-visibility initiatives to successful completion for internal and/or external stakeholders.
• Partner with Product Management, IT Delivery Management, and business SMEs to align on intended outcomes and strategic vision.
• Build detailed project plans (including Gantt charts, task breakdowns, milestones, dependencies, and critical path) and assign clear ownership for deliverables.
• Coordinate internal resources and external partners to execute workstreams; manage program/project budgets and track spend for cost efficiency.
• Utilize and influence stakeholders on appropriate methodologies and practices to meet program objectives.
• Facilitate Steering Committees and governance forums; ensure decisions, actions, owners, and timelines are documented and progressed.
• Build trusted relationships across functions; demonstrate organizational savvy and influence without formal authority.
• Drive organizational change needed to support program goals and sustain adoption of new processes/ways of working.
• Maintain program-level risk, issue, and dependency logs (e.g., red/yellow/green status), ensuring proactive mitigation and transparency.
• Identify and manage interrelated risks impacting internal and external stakeholders; develop contingency and recovery plans as needed.
• Handle escalations effectively bringing the right stakeholders together, framing trade-offs, and driving resolution.
• Oversee program/project activities involving outside vendors and consultants to ensure timely delivery and expected outcomes.
• Proactively manage vendor relationships; partner with procurement/contract stakeholders to support statements of work, service delivery expectations, and contract administration activities (as applicable).

Benefits

• Flexible Time Off (FTO)
• Pension Eligible
• Comprehensive, competitive benefit offerings crafted to protect their physical, financial, and social well-being.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees