Director, Strategic Partnership Initiatives (Private Equity)

What You'll Do We are seeking a strategic and relationship-driven Director, Strategic Partnership Initiatives – Private Equity to expand and deepen our partnerships with private equity firms and investment partners. This individual will be responsible for identifying new opportunities, cultivating executive-level relationships, and building and executing a scalable strategy to unlock growth across our retirement platform with a focus on alternative investment product expansion solutions. • Design and execute a comprehensive growth strategy focused on building relationships with investment companies, private equity firms and their portfolio companies. • Identify, evaluate, and pursue new partnership opportunities that align with company objectives and drive revenue. Build and manage a robust pipeline of partnership opportunities, tracking progress against growth and revenue targets. • Serve as the primary contact to grow alternative solutions in the retirement platform, fostering trusted, long-term relationships to create growth opportunities. • Monitor private equity market trends, competitive activity, and deal flow to identify emerging opportunities. • Act as a subject matter expert at private equity forums, industry conferences, and executive networking events. • Partner with internal stakeholders (sales, product, strategic relations, strategy, legal, and marketing) to create value-driven solutions tailored to the needs of private equity partners. 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! • Heavy incentive component in addition to salary listed. Apply today! Who You Are • Bachelor's degree finance, business, or related field; MBA or advanced degree preferred. • 10+ years of experience in business development, private equity, investment banking, defined contribution, or strategic partnerships, with a proven track record of closing and scaling high-value relationships. • Experience with private equity and alternative strategies specific to the Defined Contribution space is strongly preferred. • Deep understanding of the private equity ecosystem, including fund structures, portfolio company needs, and industry trends. • Strong executive presence with the ability to engage and influence C-suite stakeholders. • Excellent negotiation and communication skills are essential, including verbal, written, interpersonal and strong presentation skills. • Ability to operate in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment with a results-driven mindset. • Extensive travel and overnight stays required (approximately 50%-75% of the time). Licenses Required within 5 months of employment: • Successful Registration as an Investment Company Products/Variable contracts Limited Representative (FINRA Series 6 or equivalent). 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) $100800 - $182400 / 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 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 1/6/2026 Most Recently Posted Date 1/6/2026 LinkedIn Remote Hashtag #LI-Remote LinkedIn Hashtag #LI-BS1 Apply tot his job