Director- Product Strategy

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Director - Product Strategy Company: Principal Financial Group Location: Des Moines, Iowa, United States Job Type: Full-Time Category: Product Management / Strategy Date Posted: October 07, 2025 Experience Level: 10+ Years Remote Status: Hybrid (On-site presence expected, but remote flexibility may be available)

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive the strategic vision and roadmap for key product lines focused on retirement plan participant education, advice, and asset rollovers.
• Lead discovery efforts, define product requirements, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure successful execution and ongoing iteration of financial services solutions.
• Develop a deep understanding of customer needs, market trends, and regulatory landscapes within the retirement and investment services sector.
• Communicate product vision, goals, and objectives effectively to internal stakeholders, business teams, and partners to foster alignment and drive strategic initiatives.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the listing mentions "Remote OK" in the AI data, the primary location is Des Moines, Iowa, and typical Director-level roles in financial services often require a hybrid or on-site presence for collaboration and leadership. This role is categorized under Product Management/Strategy due to its focus on defining and executing product visions.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Develop and own the multi-year product strategy and roadmap for retirement plan participant solutions, including onsite and virtual education, advice services, and concierge rollovers.
• Lead comprehensive discovery processes to identify customer pain points, unmet needs, and market opportunities within the retirement plan participant landscape.
• Translate strategic objectives into detailed product requirements, user stories, and actionable tickets for technology, marketing, and operations teams to drive execution.
• Collaborate closely with Sales, Technology, Marketing, Client Services, and Operations teams to ensure seamless product delivery and ongoing service enhancement across the full product lifecycle.
• Define, monitor, and report on Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and Objectives and Key Results (OKRs) for product lines, ensuring alignment with business goals and financial metrics.
• Conduct market analysis, competitive intelligence gathering, and stay abreast of regulatory trends impacting retirement plan services and participant engagement.
• Present product vision, strategy, and performance updates to senior leadership and key stakeholders, building consensus and driving strategic decision-making.
• Oversee product governance, ensuring necessary approvals for changes are obtained in a timely manner and that services meet defined standards.
• Make informed decisions regarding business resources to effectively deliver on product KPIs, OKRs, and financial targets.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core responsibilities have been expanded to reflect the strategic and operational demands of a Director-level product role, emphasizing the full product lifecycle from discovery to delivery and iteration, as well as the critical need for cross-functional collaboration and data-driven decision-making.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• MBA or related graduate degree with a finance or economics emphasis is preferred.
• Certified Financial Analyst (CFA) designation is preferred.
• A postgraduate degree is a minimum educational requirement.

Experience:

• 10+ years of progressive experience in investment management, product development, or product strategy.
• Deep and demonstrated experience in product management, with a proven track record of successfully launching and managing financial products.
• Strong understanding of retirement plan products, participant education methodologies, financial advice services, and the complexities of asset rollovers.
• Experience developing and refining digital products is highly desirable.

Required Skills:

• Strategic Thinking: Ability to develop forward-looking, multi-year product strategies and roadmaps based on comprehensive market understanding.
• Product Management Expertise: Proven ability to manage the full product lifecycle, from discovery and definition to delivery and ongoing iteration.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Skill in building and maintaining strong relationships with internal partners across Sales, Technology, Marketing, Client Services, and Operations.
• Communication & Presentation: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with a demonstrated ability to present complex information clearly and persuasively to diverse audiences, including senior leadership.
• Market & Customer Insight: Ability to gain a deep understanding of customer needs, competitive landscapes, and regulatory trends within the retirement services industry.
• Financial Acumen: Aptitude for understanding and influencing financial metrics, KPIs, and OKRs to drive business results.
• Problem-Solving: Strong analytical and critical thinking skills to identify and solve complex customer and business problems.

Preferred Skills:

• Financial Advisor/Consultant Experience: Experience in providing advice or consulting to individuals on their retirement assets.
• Regulatory Knowledge: Familiarity with regulations governing retirement plans and financial advice.
• Agile/Scrum Methodologies: Experience working within agile development frameworks.
• Data Analysis & Interpretation: Ability to leverage data to inform product decisions and measure performance.

📝 Enhancement Note: The qualifications section has been structured to highlight both the educational and experiential requirements, distinguishing between essential and preferred skills. The emphasis on "deep product management experience" and understanding of retirement-specific services has been integrated to align with the role's focus.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Strategic Roadmaps: Examples of multi-year product strategy documents, detailing market analysis, competitive positioning, and long-term vision development.
• Product Requirements & User Stories: Demonstrations of well-defined Product Requirements Documents (PRDs), user stories, and feature specifications that clearly articulate customer needs and technical requirements.
• Launch & Lifecycle Management: Case studies showcasing successful product launches, including go-to-market strategies, cross-functional team coordination, and post-launch performance analysis.
• Metrics & KPI Dashboards: Examples of how you have defined, tracked, and reported on product KPIs and OKRs, using data to drive decision-making and demonstrate business impact.

Process Documentation:

• Discovery & Ideation: Documentation of your process for conducting market research, competitive analysis, and customer discovery to generate innovative product ideas.
• Roadmap Prioritization: Evidence of a framework or methodology used for prioritizing product initiatives based on strategic alignment, customer value, and business impact.
• Cross-Functional Workflow Design: Examples of how you have established efficient workflows and communication channels between product, technology, marketing, sales, and operations teams.
• Agile Execution: Experience with agile methodologies, including sprint planning, backlog management, and user story creation within a development process.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Director-level Product Strategy role, a portfolio demonstrating strategic thinking, execution capabilities, and cross-functional leadership is crucial. This section outlines specific types of artifacts and process documentation that would showcase relevant experience and strategic approach.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $137,000 - $185,000 per year

Benefits:

• Flexible Time Off (FTO): Provided to salaried (exempt) employees, allowing for paid time off for vacation, personal needs, or short-term illness without accrual.
• Pension Eligibility: Employees are eligible for the company's pension plan, offering long-term financial security.
• Bonus Program: Non-sales positions have the opportunity to participate in a bonus program, with compensation potentially exceeding base salary based on individual performance.
• Comprehensive Health & Well-being: Principal Financial Group typically offers robust benefits covering physical, financial, and social well-being, though specific details are not listed in the provided text.

Working Hours: 40 hours per week (standard full-time)

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is directly from the input. The benefits have been extracted and elaborated upon. The "Remote OK" notation from the AI data is addressed by clarifying that the role is primarily based in Des Moines, Iowa, suggesting a hybrid arrangement is most likely and that full remote may not be guaranteed.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Financial Services (Insurance, Investments, Retirement Plans) Company Size: Large Enterprise (Principal Financial Group is a Fortune 500 company with thousands of employees globally). Founded: 1879. Principal Financial Group has a long-standing history, indicating a stable and established corporate environment with deep industry expertise.

Team Structure:

• Reporting: The Director of Product Strategy will likely report to a Senior Director or VP of Product Management or a related business unit leader within Individual Solutions.
• Collaboration: This role requires extensive collaboration with various internal departments including Sales, Technology, Marketing, Client Services, Operations, Legal, and Compliance.
• Product Focus: The team is dedicated to developing and managing solutions that support retirement plan participants, focusing on education, advice, and asset retention/rollover services.

Methodology:

• Strategic Planning: Emphasis on developing long-term vision, market-driven strategies, and actionable roadmaps.
• Customer-Centric Development: Focus on understanding and addressing the needs of retirement plan participants and former participants.
• Data-Driven Decision Making: Utilization of KPIs and OKRs to measure performance and guide strategic adjustments.
• Agile Execution: Likely adoption of agile principles for product development and delivery.

Company Website: https://careers.principal.com

📝 Enhancement Note: The company context has been inferred from Principal Financial Group's established presence in the financial services industry, its size, and its founding date. The description of the team structure and methodology is based on the typical operational needs of a Director-level product strategy role within such an organization.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Director - This is a senior leadership position responsible for strategic direction and execution of key product lines. It involves significant autonomy, decision-making authority, and accountability for business outcomes.

Reporting Structure: The Director will report to a senior leader within the Individual Solutions division, likely a VP or Senior Director of Product. They will manage cross-functional teams and influence stakeholders across the organization.

Operations Impact: This role has a direct impact on customer retention, asset growth, and revenue generation for Principal's Individual Solutions business. Success in this role contributes to the company's overall market position and financial performance by enhancing participant engagement and financial well-being.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Advancement: Potential to move into VP-level roles or lead larger product portfolios within Principal Asset Management or other divisions.
• Specialization: Deepen expertise in retirement solutions, financial advice, or digital product innovation.
• Strategic Influence: Opportunity to shape the future direction of critical participant services and influence company-wide product strategy.
• Industry Recognition: Potential to become a thought leader in retirement participant solutions through impactful work and presentations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The analysis of career progression and impact is tailored to a Director-level role in product strategy within a large financial services firm, emphasizing leadership potential, strategic influence, and the direct contribution to business objectives.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid. While the role is based in Des Moines, Iowa, the "Remote OK" notation suggests a flexible approach to work, likely involving a blend of in-office and remote days. Office Location(s): Des Moines, Iowa (711 High Street, 50392). This is the primary corporate headquarters for Principal Financial Group.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: Expect a dynamic work environment that fosters collaboration with diverse teams across product, technology, marketing, sales, and client services.
• Tools & Technology: Access to industry-standard product management tools, analytics platforms, and internal systems necessary for strategy development and execution.
• Professional Development: Opportunities to engage with experienced professionals and contribute to a forward-thinking product strategy team within a well-established financial institution.

Work Schedule: Standard 40-hour work week, typical for a full-time, exempt, director-level position. Flexibility may be offered as part of a hybrid work arrangement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The work environment description synthesizes the provided location data with the "Remote OK" AI tag, interpreting it as a hybrid model. It emphasizes the collaborative nature and professional development opportunities typical of a large financial services firm.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and application by a recruiter to assess alignment with core qualifications.
• Hiring Manager Interview: A discussion with the hiring manager focusing on your strategic approach, product management experience, and understanding of the retirement services market.
• Cross-Functional Interviews: Meetings with key stakeholders from Sales, Technology, Marketing, and Operations to evaluate collaboration skills and functional expertise.
• Presentation/Case Study: A potential exercise where you might present a product strategy, roadmap, or problem-solving approach relevant to the role's responsibilities.
• Final Round: Interviews with senior leadership to assess strategic vision, leadership potential, and cultural fit.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Highlight Strategic Impact: Showcase roadmaps and strategies that clearly demonstrate how you've driven business growth, improved customer experience, or solved complex problems.
• Quantify Achievements: Whenever possible, use metrics and data to illustrate the success of your product initiatives (e.g., increased participant engagement by X%, improved rollover rates by Y%, generated $Z in revenue).
• Showcase Collaboration: Include examples that highlight your ability to work effectively with diverse teams, manage stakeholder expectations, and drive alignment.
• Tailor to Retirement Solutions: Emphasize any experience or understanding you have of retirement plans, participant education, financial advice, and asset rollovers.
• Structure for Clarity: Organize your portfolio logically, perhaps by product lifecycle phase or by strategic objective, making it easy for interviewers to follow your thought process.

Challenge Preparation:

• Strategic Thinking Exercise: Be prepared to discuss your approach to developing a product strategy for a new or existing retirement service, considering market trends, competition, and regulatory impacts.
• Problem-Solving Scenarios: Anticipate questions about how you would address specific challenges related to participant engagement, technology integration, or service delivery.
• Stakeholder Management: Prepare examples of how you have managed complex stakeholder relationships, resolved conflicts, and secured buy-in for your strategic initiatives.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section provides actionable advice for candidates, framing the typical interview process for a Director-level role and offering specific tips for portfolio presentation and preparation for potential case studies, with a focus on the nuances of product strategy in financial services.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Product Management Platforms: Experience with tools like Jira, Confluence, Aha!, or Productboard for roadmap planning, requirements management, and backlog grooming.
• CRM Systems: Familiarity with CRM platforms such as Salesforce, Microsoft Dynamics, or similar, for understanding customer data and sales processes.
• Collaboration Suites: Proficiency in tools like Microsoft Teams, Slack, or Google Workspace for communication and project collaboration.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Business Intelligence Tools: Experience with platforms like Tableau, Power BI, or QlikView for data analysis, dashboard creation, and performance reporting.
• Web Analytics: Familiarity with tools like Google Analytics or Adobe Analytics for understanding user behavior on digital platforms.
• Financial Modeling Software: Potential use of tools for financial forecasting and performance analysis.

CRM & Automation:

• Salesforce: A common CRM in financial services, likely used for managing client relationships and sales pipelines.
• Marketing Automation Platforms: Experience with tools like Marketo, HubSpot, or Pardot for customer outreach and campaign management.
• Integration Platforms: Understanding of how different systems (CRM, marketing automation, internal databases) integrate to provide a cohesive customer view.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section outlines a typical technology stack for a product strategy role in a large financial services organization. The emphasis is on tools related to product management, data analysis, and cross-functional collaboration, reflecting the operational and strategic nature of the role.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Customer Focus: A commitment to understanding and serving the needs of retirement plan participants and employers, ensuring their financial well-being.
• Integrity & Trust: Upholding the highest ethical standards in financial services, building trust with clients and stakeholders.
• Innovation: Driving forward-thinking solutions and embracing new approaches to enhance participant services and engagement.
• Collaboration: Fostering a team-oriented environment where diverse perspectives are valued, and cross-functional partnerships are essential for success.
• Excellence: Striving for high performance, continuous improvement, and delivering exceptional value through strategic product management.

Collaboration Style:

• Partnership-Oriented: Emphasis on building strong, collaborative relationships with internal business partners, technology teams, and other stakeholders.
• Data-Informed: Decisions are typically guided by data analysis, market insights, and performance metrics.
• Transparent Communication: Open and clear communication of strategies, goals, and progress to ensure alignment across teams.
• Solution-Focused: A proactive approach to identifying and solving challenges, with a strong emphasis on delivering effective and efficient solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The values and collaboration style are inferred from Principal Financial Group's stated mission and the general culture of established financial services firms, focusing on integrity, customer-centricity, and strategic execution.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Market Complexity: Navigating the evolving landscape of retirement regulations, participant needs, and competitive offerings in the financial services industry.
• Cross-Functional Alignment: Ensuring cohesive strategy and execution across multiple departments with potentially competing priorities.
• Digital Transformation: Adapting and innovating digital solutions to meet the changing expectations of retirement plan participants.
• Balancing Strategy and Execution: Effectively translating high-level strategy into tangible product features and operational processes.
• Data Integration: Consolidating and leveraging data from various sources to gain comprehensive insights for strategic decision-making.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Industry Certifications: Pursuing advanced certifications in finance, product management, or retirement planning (e.g., CFA, CFP, or specific product management credentials).
• Leadership Training: Access to internal leadership development programs focused on strategic thinking, team management, and executive presence.
• Industry Conferences: Participation in leading financial services and product management conferences to stay abreast of trends and network with peers.
• Mentorship: Opportunities to be mentored by senior leaders within Principal and to mentor junior team members.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section identifies potential challenges inherent to a Director-level product strategy role in financial services and outlines growth opportunities that align with career progression and skill development in the industry.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for developing a multi-year product strategy for a complex financial service. How do you incorporate market trends, competitive intelligence, and regulatory considerations?"
• "How would you approach defining the product roadmap for our retirement participant education and advice services, considering both current offerings and future opportunities?"
• "Walk me through a time you had to make a difficult strategic decision regarding a product. What was the situation, your decision-making process, and the outcome?"

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about Principal Financial Group, our mission, and our position in the retirement services market?"
• "How do you foster a collaborative environment when working with diverse teams like technology, sales, and marketing?"
• "Describe your experience in communicating complex product strategies to senior leadership. What are your key principles for effective executive communication?"

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Strategic Narrative: Frame your portfolio items within a compelling narrative that showcases your strategic thinking and impact. Start with the business problem or opportunity.
• Data-Driven Storytelling: Use data and metrics to illustrate the "why" and the "what" of your achievements. Show how your strategies and products delivered measurable business value.
• Process Clarity: Clearly articulate your methodology for strategy development, discovery, collaboration, and execution. Highlight your ability to manage the full product lifecycle.
• Adaptability: Be prepared to discuss how you adapt your strategies based on market feedback, performance data, and evolving business needs.
• Future Vision: Conclude by linking your past successes to how you envision contributing to Principal's future product strategy.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section provides tailored interview questions and preparation strategies, focusing on the core competencies of a Director of Product Strategy, with an emphasis on financial services and strategic execution.

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📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Director - Product Strategy position:

• Submit Your Application: Utilize the application link provided on the Principal careers site.
• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight your experience in product strategy, roadmap development, retirement services, and cross-functional leadership. Quantify achievements with relevant metrics.
• Prepare Your Portfolio: Curate a selection of your strongest work, including strategic roadmaps, product requirement examples, and case studies demonstrating successful product launches and impact. Be ready to discuss your process and results.
• Research Principal: Familiarize yourself with Principal Financial Group's business, its role in the financial services industry, and recent company news. Understand their commitment to retirement solutions.
• Practice Interview Responses: Prepare for behavioral and situational questions focusing on strategic thinking, problem-solving, collaboration, and leadership. Be ready to articulate your vision for the role.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.

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