Associate, Client Service Specialist

What You'll Do Are you detail-oriented, client-focused, and looking for an opportunity to make a meaningful impact? Join our team and play a key role in delivering exceptional retirement plan services to our clients. As an Associate, Client Service Specialist, you'll partner with internal teams and external stakeholders to support plan administration, solve problems, ensure accuracy, and help deliver a seamless client experience. Support daily operations and plan services, including pension services, compliance reporting, large asset transactions, or Defined Benefit client tasks as assigned. Complete tasks accurately and on time. Follow established workflows and escalate issues when needed to maintain service quality and client happiness. Assist with assigned client accounts and internal partners to ensure accurate and compliant plan administration. Help address member-level issues, special timing requests, and routine data reconciliation. Maintain a solid understanding of recordkeeping systems, plan, contract, and pension documents; use this knowledge to complete tasks accurately and resolve routine or moderately complex issues. Document actions taken and escalate more complex situations to senior team members. Contribute to a positive client experience through timely and reliable support. Communicate clearly with internal and external clients to resolve routine plan or recordkeeping issues. Follow guidance on administrative procedures and documentation standards. Collaborate with internal stakeholders to support reliable service delivery. Run standard reports using Webi, Business Objects, or other tools as directed. Identify basic data patterns to assist with recommendations and improvements. Ensure accurate and consistent reporting to support client service. Follow established procedures while finding opportunities for process improvement. Participate in training, special projects, or ad hoc initiatives. 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 1+ year of experience in client service, financial services, or retirement plan operations, or equivalent demonstrated through a combination of work experience, training, military service, or education. Working knowledge of plan administration, recordkeeping systems, and defined contribution/defined benefit plans is a plus. Familiarity with plan and contract documents, administrative manuals, procedures, and company products and services is helpful. Ability to support internal tasks, assist with problem-solving, and provide guidance to teammates as needed. Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team environment, with a sense of urgency to meet client needs, while ensuring accurate and timely support contributes to overall client satisfaction. Basic written and verbal communication, interpersonal, basic math, organizational, reading comprehension, interpretation, and problem-solving skills. Skills That Will Make You Stand Out Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including formulas, PivotTables, data analysis, reporting, data validation, and managing large datasets. 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 $18.17 - $30.31 / hour Salary Details The following locations are examples of market-specific salary ranges across different geographies. Wichita, KS: $18.17 - $22.23 / hr Des Moines, IA: $19.18 - $23.58 / hr Charlotte, NC: $20.19 - $24.92/ hr Chicago/Minneapolis: $22.21 - $27.62 / hr Los Angeles/New York City: $24.23 hr - $30.31 / hr Time Off Program Personal Time Off (PTO) is provided to hourly (non-exempt) employees and provides a set amount of accrued time earned each pay period. Employees can use their PTO for vacation, personal or short-term illness. Pension Eligible Yes Additional Information Work Environments This position is fully remote within the U.S. 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. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation. 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. Date First Posted (TTF) 8/7/2026 Latest Post Date: Careers - US 8/7/2026 LinkedIn Remote Hashtag #LI-Remote