Attributions Performance Analyst

What You’ll Do

Principal Financial Group has an opportunity for an Attributions Performance Analyst to join our Investment Operations team. In this role, you’ll support performance measurement and portfolio management processes and tools, by providing calculations, analysis, research and report preparation.

• Develop / build out additional capabilities in support of new business and operational objectives.
• Ensure accurate and timely distribution of GIPS composite performance along with total return investment performance and risk measures for portfolios and benchmarks, attribution, characteristics/analytics, risk measures, and analytics for portfolio and benchmark. Provide support to the marketing area by responding to clients and consultants routine ad-hoc performance inquiries and/or RFP/consultant questionnaires.
• Support various investment teams’ GIPS claim of compliance in line with CFA Institute’s Global Investment Performance Standards and regulatory requirements.
• Measure, calculate, analyze and report on daily and periodic composite, index and portfolio performance, security‑level data and performance related statistics for assigned asset‑class portfolios, performance attribution, security/portfolio characteristics/analytics, asset modeling, investment analytics and performance related statistics for assigned asset‑class portfolios; ensure accuracy and reasonableness of output.
• Research and resolve complex investment performance, performance attribution data anomalies, system issues and/or client inquiries. Prepare investment performance and analytical reports and maintain controls in alignment with internal policies and clients’ needs.
• Collaborate with internal and external partners including senior operations, client services, and compliance to share information and resolve problems.
• Support global investment initiatives through participation in projects, process reviews and/or system enhancements.
• Evaluate the firm’s investment performance and attribution relative to consultant, peer and client benchmarks.
• Provide training to junior staff and global team members as needed.

We are looking for someone with:

• Bachelor’s degree, or equivalent, in accounting, finance, economics or business.
• 2+ years professional experience in investment/mutual fund operations or related field at minimum.
• Understanding of financial markets, investment strategies, security types, risk statistics, investment performance, Global Investment Performance Standards, characteristics/analytics, and attribution methodologies. Preferred experience with CLOs, Private Placement, Bank Loans, SMF data and generally researching security‑level detail.
• Proven analytical, problem‑solving, interpersonal, time‑management, planning, decision‑making, relationship‑building and communication skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office specifically Excel – VLOOKUP, pivot tables, macros and SQL.

• Familiarity with Bloomberg Port or Aladdin for attribution, Eagle Investment Performance System and Power BI for reporting.
• Strong desire for continued education, CFA, CIPM, Master’s and Data Analytics skills.
• Detailed orientation.
• Ability to prioritize and balance multiple, increasingly sophisticated, tasks and be flexible as business needs change.
• Ability to take initiative, be a self‑starter and work independently; includes project work.

This role offers the ability for in‑office (locations include Des Moines, IA; Charlotte, NC; New York, NY; Chicago, IL and Portland, OR), hybrid (blending both office and remote work in a typical workweek) and will consider fully remote work arrangements based on candidate’s experience. Candidates that live within 30 miles of Des Moines, IA will have in‑office days to support team cohesion and collaboration.

• Competitive pay, benefits, perks and more.
• Respect for your unique perspective. Diversity, inclusion and empowerment are at the core of our culture.
• A career, not just a job. Principal is a place where you can learn and innovate. Do important work. Make an impact. And achieve your professional goals.
• The ability to have a great job and…