Retirement Education Specialist (Southern California)

About the Role

As a Retirement Education Specialist (Bilingual in Spanish preferred but not required), you’ll play a critical role in empowering retirement plan participants to make confident financial decisions. You’ll deliver engaging education, provide personalized guidance, and partner with employers and advisors to drive meaningful outcomes. Operating at the intersection of financial services and technology, Principal builds financial tools that help customers live better lives. Our mission, integrity, and customer focus have made us a trusted leader for more than 140 years.

Responsibilities

• Deliver group workshops and one-on-one consultations (virtual and in person).
• Partner with plan sponsors, advisors, and internal teams to design and deliver effective retirement education strategies.
• Develop and implement education plans that increase engagement and participation in retirement programs.
• Conduct needs assessments to guide participants in making informed decisions about saving, investing, and retirement income.
• Adapt messaging based on audience needs.
• Leverage tools and insights to improve participant outcomes.
• Travel approximately 75% of the time, including local, regional, or national travel with mostly day trips but occasional overnight stays. Travel will be via car and air, and personal transportation may be required.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent.
• 2+ years of experience in the financial services industry with experience in personal markets, retirement planning, and educating participants.
• Excellent communication, presentation, analytical, and interpersonal skills.
• Successful history of accomplishments in education, retirement sales, or a related field.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively.
• Strong presentation skills, including large group and one-on-one delivery, engaging audiences, and the ability to read the room and pivot when necessary.
• Licensing requirements: FINRA Series 7 and 63/66 required within 5 months of employment (consideration given to existing FINRA Series 6 and 63 candidates). Licensing will be required based on state/federal laws and/or company policy.

Pay

Salary ranges reflect targeted base salaries. Non-sales positions have the opportunity to participate in a bonus program. Actual compensation will be based on geographic location, work experience, education, licensure requirements, and skill level.

• Salary Range (Exempt): $68,200 - $126,000 / year
• San Diego, CA:
  • Retirement Education Specialist: $68,200 - $92,400 / year
  • Sr Retirement Education Specialist: $84,700 - $115,500 / year
• Los Angeles, CA:
  • Retirement Education Specialist: $74,400 - $100,800 / year
  • Sr Retirement Education Specialist: $92,400 - $126,000 / year

Benefits

• Flexible Time Off (FTO) for salaried (exempt) employees, allowing paid time away for vacation, personal, or short-term illness without accruing a set number of days.
• Pension eligible.
• Comprehensive, competitive benefit offerings crafted to protect physical, financial, and social well-being.

Schedule

• Primary territory: Southern California region (Orange County, Los Angeles, San Diego) with travel expectations.
• When not meeting with clients, you may work from home or in the office, based on preference.
• Open to hiring up to the Sr. Retirement Education Specialist role based on skills and experiences.

At this time, we're not considering candidates who need immigration sponsorship (e.g., F1-OPT, F1-CPT, H-1B, TN, L-1, J-1) now or in the future to work in the United States.