Assistant Director, Compliance

What You'll Do

We're seeking an Assistant Director - Compliance to support the Enterprise Financial Crimes team and partner closely with the AML Officer in the oversight and administration of AML programs supporting Principal's broker-dealer and registered investment adviser (RIA) businesses. In this role, you will help coordinate AML governance activities, risk assessments, examinations, regulatory initiatives, reporting, and ongoing program administration while collaborating with compliance, legal, risk, operations, and business teams around the globe.

The position may also support broader Enterprise Financial Crimes initiatives and projects involving other regulated investment structures and financial services businesses, as appropriate. Success in this role requires strong relationship-building, project management, operational, analytical, and technology skills, including the ability to identify opportunities to responsibly leverage artificial intelligence (AI) and other emerging technologies to enhance compliance program effectiveness, operational efficiency, and regulatory oversight.

You’ll have the opportunity to:

• Partner closely with the AML Officer in the oversight, administration, and continuous enhancement of AML programs supporting Principal's broker-dealer and registered investment adviser (RIA) businesses.
• Coordinate and administer core AML program activities, including risk assessments, annual reviews, training, testing, regulatory change management, issue management, and governance reporting to help ensure regulatory obligations are met.
• Collaborate with compliance, legal, risk, operations, technology, and business teams globally to support the effective implementation and ongoing operation of AML controls and program requirements.
• Provide AML compliance consultation and subject matter expertise on regulatory requirements, program expectations, risk management practices, and control frameworks.
• Support regulatory examinations, internal audits, independent testing activities, and regulatory inquiries by coordinating responses, organizing documentation, facilitating stakeholder engagement, and monitoring remediation efforts.
• Develop and maintain governance materials, management reporting, metrics, and dashboards that provide insight into program performance, regulatory developments, key risks, and remediation activities.
• Monitor regulatory developments, emerging financial crimes risks, and industry trends, helping assess impacts to AML programs, policies, procedures, controls, and governance practices.
• Assist with the development, maintenance, and enhancement of AML-related policies, procedures, standards, risk assessments, and program documentation.
• Identify opportunities to improve operational effectiveness through process improvement, workflow optimization, data analytics, artificial intelligence (AI), automation, and other emerging technologies, while supporting appropriate governance and risk management practices.
• Coordinate AML initiatives and strategic projects, helping ensure deliverables are executed, stakeholders remain informed, and program priorities remain on track.
• Build strong cross-functional relationships and facilitate collaboration among compliance, risk, legal, operations, technology, and business partners across multiple business lines and jurisdictions.
• Support broader Enterprise Financial Crimes initiatives and AML oversight activities involving other regulated investment structures or financial services businesses, as appropriate, in coordination with designated AML Officers and compliance partners.

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!

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent required; 8+ years of experience in AML, financial crimes compliance, regulatory compliance, risk management, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience administering, coordinating, or supporting regulatory compliance programs, including governance activities, risk assessments, testing, examinations, audits, issue management, and regulatory change initiatives.
• Strong understanding of AML regulatory requirements applicable to broker-dealers and registered investment advisers (RIAs). Experience supporting other regulated financial services businesses, investment vehicles, or financial products is a plus.
• Experience partnering across compliance, legal, risk, operations, technology, and business functions to drive execution of regulatory and governance activities.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities, coordinate complex initiatives, and drive accountability across a broad network of stakeholders.
• Experience developing management reporting, governance materials, metrics, dashboards, and…