Senior, Participant Experience Consultant

About the Role

We're looking for a Senior Participant Experience Consultant to join our Participant Experience Consulting team. In this role, you'll develop and deliver data-driven communication and education strategies that help participants make informed retirement decisions and improve retirement outcomes. As a trusted consultant and subject-matter expert, you'll partner with plan sponsors, advisors/consultants, client service teams, and internal partners to implement participant engagement solutions, guide best-practice adoption, and translate insights into actionable strategies. This role is ideal for someone passionate about communication strategy, enhancing the participant experience, and improving participant outcomes.

Operating at the intersection of financial services and technology, Principal builds financial tools that help our customers live better lives. We take pride in being a purpose-led firm, motivated by our mission to make financial security accessible to all. Our mission, integrity, and customer focus have made us a trusted leader for more than 140 years.

Responsibilities

• Serve as subject-matter expert on the Principal Participant Experience, applying knowledge of behavioral finance, communication best practices, and participant research to guide plan sponsors, advisors/consultants, and internal partners.
• Provide strategic consultation to drive adoption of enterprise best practices and influence stakeholders toward solutions that improve participant outcomes and plan health.
• Assess client needs and develop education and communication strategies aligned with plan objectives, participant demographics, and organizational goals.
• Deliver presentations as part of sales and retention efforts that elevate understanding of the offering and differentiate our approach.
• Collaborate with business partners to design, refine, and evolve participant communication and education strategies.
• Interpret participant data, segmentation insights, and engagement analytics to build evidence-based recommendations and scalable education frameworks.

Requirements

• 6+ years of related work experience (retirement education, financial services, participant communications, client consulting, etc.) or equivalent demonstrated through one or a combination of the following: work experience, training, military experience, or education.
• Associate or Bachelor's degree preferred.
• Knowledge of defined contribution plans, including plan design, administration, services, compliance, and marketing strongly preferred.
• Excellent presentation, influence, and negotiation skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong organization and time management skills plus attention to detail.
• Travel is required (approximately 10-20%).

Skills

• Proven ability to provide strategic consultation to clients, advisors/consultants, and internal partners, influencing them toward best-practice solutions.
• Manage multiple initiatives with independent judgment, minimal supervision, and strong attention to detail.
• Ability to work cross-functionally while maintaining strong relationships with clients, financial professionals, and internal partners.

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/or skill level.

Salary Range: $84,600 - $152,400 / year

• Wichita, KS: $84,600 - $114,300 / year
• Des Moines, IA: $89,300 - $120,650 / year
• Charlotte, NC: $94,000 - $127,000 / year
• Chicago/Minneapolis: $103,400 - $139,700 / year
• Los Angeles/New York City: $112,800 - $152,400 / year

Benefits

• Flexible Time Off (FTO): Provided to salaried (exempt) employees for vacation, personal, or short-term illness. No set number of days; time off is not accrued.
• Pension Eligible: Yes.
• Comprehensive, competitive benefit offerings crafted to protect physical, financial, and social well-being.

Schedule

This role offers in-office, hybrid (blending at least three office days in a typical workweek), and remote work arrangements (only if residing more than 30 miles from Des Moines, IA, Charlotte, NC, and Raleigh, NC). Work arrangement will be determined in collaboration with your leader based on several factors.

Work Authorization: At this time, we're not considering applicants needing 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.