Director, Business Strategy (Enterprise Data...

We’re looking for a Director of Business Strategy to join our Enterprise Data & Analytics (EDA) team. In this role, you’ll provide strategic leadership for the Chief Data & Analytics Office by shaping, advancing, and enabling execution of the enterprise data, analytics, and AI strategy and operating model within EDA. You’ll operate in alignment and close collaboration with the enterprise technology community strategy, ensuring priorities are connected and consistently delivered. This is a high impact role that partners closely with senior leaders across data & analytics, enterprise technology, and business strategy functions to translate enterprise and technology community direction into clear, actionable priorities and measurable outcomes.

• Enterprise EDA Strategy Shaping & Alignment: Shapes and evolves the enterprise Data, Analytics, and AI strategy to ensure alignment with enterprise priorities and changing business needs. Partners with senior leaders to interpret and refine strategic direction, translating enterprise and technology community priorities into clear, actionable focus areas.

• Operating Model Design & Maturity: Leads the design, evolution, and ongoing maturity of the Data & Analytics Operating Model, ensuring it supports scale, clarity, and organizational effectiveness. Aligns operating model priorities with enterprise and technology community direction while driving continuous improvement. Monitors adoption and effectiveness, finding opportunities to enhance consistency and performance without requiring large-scale redesigns.

• Strategic Planning & Leadership Cadence: Establishes and manages the strategic planning cadence for EDA, including prioritization, planning cycles, and executive-level reporting. Ensures alignment between enterprise priorities and EDA initiatives by connecting leadership direction to ongoing work. Provides front-office leadership and coordination, managing executive requests, emerging priorities, and ensuring follow-through across initiatives.

• Executive Narrative & Strategic Communications: Partners with senior leaders to develop clear, compelling executive narratives that translate complex strategy into actionable insights and decisions. Supports materials and communications for senior leadership forums, including senior leadership team, executive management group, and Board discussions, ensuring alignment in how strategy, progress, and priorities are communicated across the enterprise. Reinforces a consistent strategic story that connects enterprise, technology community, and EDA priorities.

• Bachelor’s degree in business, technology, engineering, or a related field

• 10+ years of experience in strategy, operating model leadership, enterprise transformation, or related fields

• Demonstrated ability to operate effectively with executive and board-level stakeholders, influencing decisions and driving alignment across senior leadership

• Strong strategic thinking and synthesis skills, with the ability to translate complex concepts into clear, actionable insights and executive-ready communications

• Deep understanding of operating model design, organizational effectiveness, and governance principles, particularly within data & analytics or technology environments

• Experience leading through influence in a highly matrixed environment, building alignment across functions without direct authority

Skills That Will Help You Stand Out

• Advanced degree (MBA or equivalent) preferred

• Experience in financial services and technology-enabled transformation

• Experience in driving and tracking strategic priorities through OKRs, metrics, or similar performance management frameworks

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 (Non-Exempt expressed as hourly; Exempt expressed as yearly)

$160000 - $213000 / 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

Work Environments

This role offers an in-office and hybrid (blending at least three office days in a typical workweek) work arrangement in Des Moines, IA.

Work Authorization/Sponsorship

• Cross-Functional Alignment & Influence: Acts as a key connector across Data & Analytics, business strategy, enterprise technology, corporate strategy, and shared services functions to align priorities, dependencies, and execution. Partners with senior stakeholders to ensure EDA initiatives are integrated with enterprise strategy and the broader technology community approach. Builds alignment and drives outcomes in a highly matrixed environment through influence rather than direct authority.

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., Nonimmigrant Workers (https://www.uscis.gov/working-in-the-united-states/temporary-nonimmigrant-workers) and Green Card for Employment-Based Immigrants (https://www.uscis.gov/green-card/green-card-eligibility/green-card-for-employment-based-immigrants), 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 (https://www.principal.com/about-us/careers) to learn more about our purpose, values and benefits.