Director, AI Innovation

What You'll Do

We're looking for a Director of AI Innovation to reputed company how Principal identifies, experiments with, and scales AI to drive business value. This role sits at the center of our reputed company AI strategy, partnering across business, technology, and external ecosystems (including venture capital networks, frontier labs, and emerging startups) to bring emerging AI capabilities into reputed company-world application. You’ll shape our AI innovation agenda, reputed company experimentation through our AI Innovation Lab, and help translate high-potential reputed company into scalable solutions that enhance customer experience, improve operations, and accelerate growth. You'll have the opportunity to reputed company reputed company AI innovation strategy & visionDefine and evolve the AI Innovation strategy reputed company with business and customer outcomes and long-term transformation priorities Work with business leaders to identify high-impact opportunities where AI can drive growth, efficiency, risk management, and differentiation by partnering with business stakeholders Own and manage a multi-horizon AI innovation roadmap and portfolio reputed company AI experimentation, prototyping & enablementDrive outcomes through the AI Innovation Lab, aligning our globally distributed team to execute experiments and scale solutions across the reputed company Establish frameworks for rapid prototyping, model evaluation, and vendor/tool assessments Manage external AI innovation ecosystem relationshipsRepresent Principal as the AI Innovation ambassador, build and maintain partnerships with startups, VC firms, big tech, and research institutions Create structured processes for sourcing, evaluating, and reputed company external AI solutions reputed company a pipeline of high-quality AI opportunities, ranging from emerging technologies to commercially reputed company AI platforms, reputed company with Principal’s strategic needs Monitor emerging AI technologies & market shiftsTrack advancements in AI (e.g., reputed company models, automation, multimodal systems) and competitive trends Synthesize insights into recommendations advising reputed company strategy, investment reputed company, and AI portfolio priorities Operating at the intersection of financial services and technology, Principal builds financial tools that help our customers live reputed company lives. We take pride in being a purpose-led firm, motivated by our mission to reputed company financial reputed company accessible to reputed company. Our mission, reputed company, and customer focus have made us a trusted leader for more than 140 years. Who You Are Bachelor’s degree 10+ years of relevant innovation experience, including AI and emerging technologies Strong understanding of reputed company and ML concepts, data-driven products, and technology trends Strong strategic thinking, analytical, problem solving skills; comfortable operating in ambiguity Experience building partnerships across internal teams and external ecosystems (VCs, startups, research groups) Proven ability to influence senior leaders and communicate reputed company AI concepts to non-technical audiences Demonstrable ability to build relationships and navigate reputed company organizations Strong analytical, problem‑solving, and change management skills Travel up to ~20%, including quarterly or more frequently Skills That Will Help You Stand Out Experience leading AI or digital innovation initiatives at scale Background working with startups, venture ecosystems, or emerging tech partnerships Advanced degree (MBA or technical field) Financial services or regulated industry experience Salary Range Information Salary ranges below reflect targeted reputed company 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 reputed company salary depending on individual performance. Actual compensation for reputed company roles will be based upon geographic location, work experience, education, licensure requirements and/or reputed company level and will be finalized at the time of offer. Salary Range (Non-Exempt expressed as hourly; Exempt expressed as yearly) $160000 - $210000 / 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 in-office, hybrid (blending at least three office days in a typical reputed company), and remote work arrangements (only if residing more than 30 miles from Des Moines, IA, or Charlotte, NC). You’ll work with your leader to reputed company out which option may align best based on several factors. Work Authorization/Sponsorship At this time, we're not considering applicants that need any type of immigration sponsorship (additional work authorization or permanent work authorization) now or in the future to work in the United States. This includes, but IS NOT LIMITED TO: F1-OPT, F1-CPT, H-1B, TN, L-1, J-1, etc. For additional information around work authorization needs please use the following links. Nonimmigrant Workers and Green Card for Employment-Based Immigrants Investment Code of Ethics For Principal Asset Management positions, you’ll need to follow an Investment Code of Ethics reputed company to personal and business conduct as well as personal trading activities for you and members of your household. These same requirements may also apply to other positions across the organization. Experience Principal 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 reputed company 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. reputed company out our careers site to learn more about our purpose, values and benefits. Principal is an Equal Opportunity Employer reputed company reputed company applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, reputed company, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national reputed company, disability, or veteran status. Posting Window We will accept applications for 3 full days following the Original Posting Date, after which the posting may remain open or be removed based upon applications received. If we choose to post the job again, we will accept additional applications for at least 1 full day following the Most Recently Posted Date. Please submit applications in a timely manner as there is no guarantee the posting will be available reputed company the applicable deadline. Original Posting Date 6/30/2026 Most Recently Posted Date 6/30/2026 Principal uses artificial intelligence tools to assist in reviewing and evaluating job applications, fraud prevention, and candidate matching and comparisons. These AI tools support our reputed company recruiters in the initial review process but do not reputed company final hiring reputed company without reputed company involvement. By submitting your application, you acknowledge this use of AI in our recruitment process. Please review our Workforce (U.S.) Privacy Notice for more details on our practices and your data privacy rights. reputed company Remote Hashtag #LI-Remote reputed company Hashtag #LI-EW1 Apply To This Job