What You'll Do We’re looking for a retirement and employee benefits attorney with ERISA expertise. In this role, you’ll be part of a team that handles sophisticated transactional legal work for our U.S. strategic business units that work with advisors, plan sponsors, TPAs, participants and business leaders to deliver financial services, retirement investments and protection products. You’ll provide legal advice relating to administration of qualified and tax-favored retirement plans, design and operation of group and individual annuities, retirement and insurance products, fiduciary responsibilities, and distribution of products and services. The ideal candidate would be familiar with investment products offered to employers and retirement savers. Serve as advisor to Retirement and Income Solutions, our strategic business unit that provides retirement plan administration, annuity products, IRAs, trust and custody services. Guide our retirement and annuity businesses on legal issues resulting from regulatory requirements, including DOL, IRS, SEC and insurance rules. Provide day to day legal support on issues with the compliance, administration, and design of retirement plans and the investment options offered to these plans. Assist with contract drafting, product design, distribution agreements, disclosures, fiduciary issues, prohibited transaction compliance, and governance issues for employee benefit arrangements. Provide technical advice or serve as a subject matter expert across the company. Use risk assessment and mitigation skills to collaborate with Risk and Compliance to help the business make risk-astute decisions. 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! Who You Are Requires JD and 5+ years’ experience with knowledge of issues impacting employee benefits and retirement plans and their administration and investments Familiar with the laws regulating retirement and benefit plans, including ERISA, the Code, federal and state securities laws and state insurance laws Experience in group and retail annuity products not required but a differentiator Prior experience in financial services a plus Must be admitted to practice in the state employed within twelve months of hire Requires knowledge of the relevant area of law and its application Must be able to work as a member of a team and independently on a self-motivated basis Requires superior written and verbal communication skills Must be able to apply knowledge of the law to make sound judgments, communicate, and interact with others in a professional manner Some travel may be required Salary Range Information Salary ranges below reflect targeted base salaries. Non-sales positions have the opportunity to participate in a bonus program. Sales positions are eligible for sales incentives, and in some instances a bonus plan, whereby total compensation may far exceed base salary depending on individual performance. Actual compensation for all roles will be based upon geographic location, work experience, education, licensure requirements and/or skill level and will be finalized at the time of offer. Salary Range (Non-Exempt expressed as hourly; Exempt expressed as yearly) $137000 - $185000 / year Time Off Program 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. Pension Eligible Yes Additional Information Work Environments 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, or Charlotte, NC). You’ll work with your leader to figure out which option may align best based on several factors. Work Authorization/Sponsorship At this time, we're not considering applicants that need any type of immigration sponsorship (additional work authorization or permanent work authorization) now or in the future to work in the United States. This includes, but IS NOT LIMITED TO: F1-OPT, F1-CPT, H-1B, TN, L-1, J-1, etc. For additional information around work authorization needs please use the following links. Nonimmigrant Workers and Green Card for Employment-Based Immigrants Investment Code of Ethics For Principal Asset Management positions, you’ll need to follow an Investment Code of Ethics related to personal and business conduct as well as personal trading activities for you and members of your household. These same requirements may also apply to other positions across the organization. Experience Principal At Principal, we value connecting on both a personal and professional level. Together, we’re imagining a more purpose-led future for financial services – and that starts with you. Our success depends on the unique experiences, backgrounds, and talents of our employees. And we support our employees the same way we support our customers: with comprehensive, competitive benefit offerings crafted to protect their physical, financial, and social well-being. Check out our careers site to learn more about our purpose, values and benefits. Principal is an Equal Opportunity Employer All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status. Posting Window We will accept applications for 3 full days following the Original Posting Date, after which the posting may remain open or be removed based upon applications received. If we choose to post the job again, we will accept additional applications for at least 1 full day following the Most Recently Posted Date. Please submit applications in a timely manner as there is no guarantee the posting will be available beyond the applicable deadline. Original Posting Date 2/24/2025 Most Recently Posted Date 2/24/2025 LinkedIn Remote Hashtag #LI-Remote LinkedIn Hashtag #LI-MT1