Principal Financial Group · 2 days ago
Director, CIT Strategy & Fiduciary Oversight
Chicago, IL
Full-time
Hybrid
Senior Level, Lead/Staff
$157K/yr - $213K/yr
10+ years expPrincipal Financial Group is adding a newly created leadership role within Asset Management to drive the strategy, governance, and growth of their Collective Investment Trust (CIT) platform. This role focuses on ensuring the CIT business scales strategically while maintaining strong fiduciary and risk standards, requiring collaboration across various teams.
Financial ServicesInsurance
No H1B
U.S. Citizen Only
Responsibilities
Help shape the strategy and evolution of the CIT platform within the retirement channel
Partner with investment teams on the design, launch, and ongoing management of CIT strategies
Evaluate product opportunities based on market demand, retirement trends, and competitive positioning
Act as a bridge between Asset Management Distribution and Retirement Distribution to ensure alignment on product structure, positioning, and commercialization
Serve as a subject matter expert on fiduciary responsibilities and governance structures related to CITs
Support oversight aligned with OCC (or similar) regulations, ERISA requirements, and internal risk frameworks
Partner with Legal, Compliance, Risk, and Trust teams to maintain a scalable and effective governance model
Identify and help mitigate operational, regulatory, and reputational risks tied to CIT operations
Support internal audits, regulatory exams, and ongoing risk assessments
Lead initiatives across Investments, Trust, Legal, Compliance, Operations, Finance, and Distribution
Influence decisions and drive outcomes in a highly matrixed environment without formal reporting authority
Prepare materials and insights for senior leadership on platform strategy, regulatory developments, and growth opportunities
Qualification
Required
Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field; advanced degree or professional designation (e.g., CFA, CPA, JD) preferred
10+ years of experience, including direct asset management experience, complemented by work with retirement investment products, fiduciary or trust structures, or commingled vehicles (e.g., CITs, collective funds, private funds)
Deep understanding of CIT structures, fiduciary responsibilities, and retirement plan frameworks (ERISA/401(k)), including experience with commingled investment vehicles (not personal trust or estate administration)
Demonstrated ability to lead initiatives, align stakeholders, and influence across teams without direct authority
Strong business acumen with the ability to connect product structure, fiduciary considerations, and commercial strategy
Excellent communication skills, with the ability to translate complex fiduciary and investment topics for diverse audiences
Preferred
Advanced degree or professional designation (e.g., CFA, CPA, JD)
Familiarity with governance models involving OCC (or similar regulation)-regulated trust structures strongly preferred
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.
Company
Principal Financial Group
Principal Financial Group® is dedicated to improving the wealth and well-being of people and businesses around the world—helping more than 62M customers plan, protect, invest, and retire as of December 31, 2023.
10001+ employees
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageLeadership Team
Dan Houston
President and CEO
Liliana (Lil) Waters, CPA, FLMI
CFO – US Distribution
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