Director - Process Improvement

What You'll Do We’re looking for a Director for Process Improvement to join our Transformation team. In this role, you'll lead and champion process improvement initiatives to elevate organizational effectiveness and process excellence, and provide strategic direction and influence across departments, driving continuous improvement efforts from planning through execution to achieve measurable outcomes. You'll have the opportunity to: Lead and drive continuous process improvement to enhance organizational effectiveness. Partner with key stakeholders to align on business plans and strategic direction, influencing leaders to implement solutions or organizational changes that yield significant efficiency (cost savings) and effectiveness (client satisfaction) outcomes. Collaborate with Finance to quantify and reforecast these impacts. Oversee and manage team operations, including headcount planning, recruitment, training, talent management, compensation administration, rewards and recognition, performance evaluations, and providing coaching and mentorship. Offer expert guidance in process improvement efforts by initiating, prioritizing, and allocating resources to improvement initiatives, effectively balancing the demands of scope, time, quality, and cost. Ensure that standards, processes, and methodologies for performance improvement are implemented and consistently shared across the organization. Establish and track key performance indicators (KPIs) to assess the success and impact of process improvement initiatives. Create and oversee the departmental budget, as well as establish objectives, policies, and procedures. Deep knowledge of Lean principles and practices. Working knowledge and practical application of Six Sigma methodologies. Experience applying Toyota Kata principles to develop organizational learning and continuous improvement capability. Experience utilizing Training Within Industry (TWI) methodologies to improve performance and workforce capability. Strong understanding of value stream management, process performance measurement, visual management, and management systems. Ability to translate strategic objectives into sustainable operational systems, routines, and behaviors. Advanced facilitation skills, including leading workshops, problem-solving events, leader sessions, and stakeholder discussions. Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret performance data, identify root causes, evaluate alternatives, and prioritize opportunities. Demonstrated ability to influence stakeholders across organizational boundaries without direct reporting authority. Excellent verbal, written, presentation, coaching, and relationship-building skills. Ability to manage multiple priorities and drive accountability in a dynamic environment. Travel Ability to travel quarterly to Des Moines and occasionally to other company locations as business needs require. Perform other job-related duties or special projects as required. 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 8+ years of related work experience or equivalent demonstrated through one or a combination of the following: work experience, training, military experience, or education 2+ years people management experience of informal or formal leadership experience. Must have excellent leadership qualities, organizational, problem-solving, analytical, presentation, and oral and written communication skills, as well as good interviewing, diplomacy, and negotiation skills with the ability to be a group facilitator Must be able to conceptualize, analyze, and understand problems and their organizational impact, as well as demonstrate creativity Must be able to build relationships and work in a matrix environment while being adaptable, flexible, a self-starter and big-picture thinker, and be fluent in identification of work processes Requires demonstrated success in process improvement, process engineering, Lean Six Sigma and/or Kaizen methodologies. Lean Six Sigma certification required. Must be able to maintain a high degree of confidentiality Preferred Qualifications Master's degree in Business Administration, Engineering, Operations Management, Organizational Development, or a related field. Certifications Toyota Kata practitioner, coach, or related certification/training. Training Within Industry (TWI) certification. Additional certifications in Operational Excellence, Continuous Improvement, Change Management, or Process Improvement methodologies. 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 $141000 - $191000 / 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, Raleigh, NC 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. Date First Posted (TTF) 8/25/2026 Latest Post Date: Careers - US 8/25/2026 LinkedIn Remote Hashtag #LI-Remote