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 will support performance measurement and portfolio management processes and tools by providing calculations, analysis, research, and report preparation.

• Develop and build out additional capabilities to support new business and operational objectives.
• Ensure accurate and timely distribution of GIPS composite performance, total return investment performance, risk measures, attribution, characteristics/analytics, and analytics for portfolio and benchmark. Provide support to marketing by responding to clients and consultants’ routine ad‑hoc performance inquiries and RFP/consultant questionnaires.
• Support the investment team’s 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 and related analytics; ensure accuracy and reasonableness of output.
• Research and resolve complex investment performance and attribution data anomalies, system issues, and client inquiries. Prepare investment performance and analytical reports and maintain controls in alignment with internal policies and client 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 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.

• Bachelor’s degree, or equivalent, in accounting, finance, economics, or business.
• Minimum of 2 years professional experience in investment/mutual fund operations or a related field.
• 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.
• Detail 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 at locations that 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 may consider fully remote arrangements based on the 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. We’ll reward you for the skills and experience you have.
• 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 a great life. Work is important, but so is your family, friends, and community. We provide the flexibility needed to find the right balance between your job and the rest of your life.