Sr Associate, RFP

Principal Financial Group • Des Moines, IA

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

We are hiring for a Senior Associate, RFP who is responsible for leading the submission, peer review, and ongoing enhancement of Requests for Proposal (RFPs), Requests for Information (RFIs), Due Diligence Questionnaires (DDQs), 15(c)s, and consultant database content to support Principal Asset Management’s institutional and intermediary growth and retention objectives. As a senior individual contributor and subject matter expert within the RFP function, this role partners closely with investment teams, distribution, product, compliance, operations, legal, and data specialists to deliver responses that are accurate, compelling, timely, and aligned with firm-wide messaging. The role maintains a particular focus on private markets investment capabilities—including private real estate equity and debt, private credit, and infrastructure equity and debt—requiring close collaboration with private markets investment teams and supporting partners. In addition, the Senior Associate contributes to the continued evolution of the RFP process, including the responsible adoption of AI-enabled tools to improve efficiency, consistency, and data quality across proposals and due diligence materials.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in investment management, finance, or a related business field.
• 5+ years of relevant experience in the financial services industry, preferably in an RFP, marketing, sales, or client solutions role within an asset management firm.
• Demonstrated experience working with alternative investment strategies, including private markets such as private real estate, infrastructure, and private credit.
• Strong foundational knowledge of the asset management industry, with the ability to quickly develop deep understanding of Principal Asset Management’s business, strategies, and markets.
• Proven experience managing complex proposals and multiple deadlines simultaneously, delivering high‑quality, detail‑oriented work under time constraints.
• Ability to communicate clearly, confidently, and effectively with stakeholders at all levels, including senior investment professionals.
• Experience using—or strong interest in leveraging—AI and tech applications to streamline proposal development, content, and communication strategies.
• Proficiency in the Microsoft Office suite, with particular emphasis on Word and Excel; ability to learn firm‑specific systems and databases.

Nice To Haves

• Experience working in a proposal or content management system such as Responsive, Loopio, Qvidian, RocketDocs, or similar platforms preferred.
• FINRA Series 7 licensing, or other recognized asset management or investment designations (e.g., CFA®, CAIA®, CIMA®, CFP®, Series 65/66), are a plus but not required.
• May require fingerprinting with Principal Funds Distributor

Responsibilities

• Lead the preparation, coordination, construction, and peer review of complex RFPs, RFIs, DDQs, 15(c)s, and consultant database materials, with an emphasis on private markets and alternative investment strategies.
• Work closely with subject matter experts (SMEs) to source, interpret, and analyze qualitative and quantitative information to address gaps within the content library, refine responses for accuracy, relevance, and completeness, and coordinate with the content management team to facilitate review, approval, and incorporation of new content into the system for ongoing reuse.
• Serve as a trusted liaison and content advisor to internal stakeholders, including investment professionals, private markets teams, distribution partners, compliance, and data teams, ensuring clarity and consistency of messaging.
• Adopt, pilot, and champion AI tools and process enhancements within the RFP function to drive efficiency, improve response quality, and support scalable content management.
• Utilize proposal and content management tools as designed within the firm’s RFP framework, while offering insights and recommendations to improve efficiency, scalability, and process effectiveness.
• Manage a high volume of concurrent projects independently, communicating proactively with business partners on timelines, dependencies, and priorities.
• Perform project work and initiatives reserved for senior‑level team members, including process improvement efforts, mentoring of junior staff, and participation in special projects as requested by leadership.

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.
• Comprehensive, competitive benefit offerings crafted to protect their physical, financial, and social well-being.

What This Job Offers

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