Strategic Program Manager Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

What You'll Do
At Principal, we're looking for a Program Manager to drive complex, high-impact initiatives in our Principal Asset Management business unit. This role is ideal for someone who thrives in ambiguity, brings structure to large initiatives, and can translate strategy into an executable plan with strong governance, clear communication, and disciplined risk/issue management.
At Principal, you'll be expected to shape the narrative, create clarity and momentum, run governance, manage escalation paths, and establish a disciplined execution model in an environment where timelines and accountability may need stronger facilitation.
What You'll Do
You will define the program vision, align work to strategic outcomes, and ensure delivery through strong planning, governance, stakeholder engagement, and oversight of interdependencies across multiple concurrent efforts.
Strategic Program & Initiative Management

• Lead multiple complex, high-risk, high-visibility initiatives to successful completion for internal and/or external stakeholders.
• Partner with Product Management, IT Delivery Management, and business SMEs to align on intended outcomes and strategic vision.
• Build detailed project plans (including Gantt charts, task breakdowns, milestones, dependencies, and critical path) and assign clear ownership for deliverables.
• Coordinate internal resources and external partners to execute workstreams; manage program/project budgets and track spend for cost efficiency.
• Utilize and influence stakeholders on appropriate methodologies and practices to meet program objectives.

Stakeholder Engagement, Governance & Communication

• Facilitate Steering Committees and governance forums; ensure decisions, actions, owners, and timelines are documented and progressed.
• Build trusted relationships across functions; demonstrate organizational savvy and influence without formal authority.
• Drive organizational change needed to support program goals and sustain adoption of new processes/ways of working.

Risk, Issue & Escalation Management

• Maintain program-level risk, issue, and dependency logs (e.g., red/yellow/green status), ensuring proactive mitigation and transparency.
• Identify and manage interrelated risks impacting internal and external stakeholders; develop contingency and recovery plans as needed.
• Handle escalations effectively bringing the right stakeholders together, framing trade-offs, and driving resolution.

External Partner & Vendor Oversight

• Oversee program/project activities involving outside vendors and consultants to ensure timely delivery and expected outcomes.
• Proactively manage vendor relationships; partner with procurement/contract stakeholders to support statements of work, service delivery expectations, and contract administration activities (as applicable).

Who You Are
What You'll Bring

• 8+ years of project, program, or initiative management experience or equivalent
• Strong ability to build end-to-end project plans (schedule, resources, milestones, critical path) and communicate the plan as a clear narrative that drives action.
• Exceptional communication, presentation, facilitation, and leadership skills able to run governance forums and steer decisions with senior audiences.
• Proven ability to influence across a matrix environment and work effectively and autonomously with stakeholders at all levels, including external partners and vendors.
• Results-oriented approach with comfort operating in ambiguity; strong expectation-setting and follow-through.
• Solid understanding of how technology capabilities enable process/workflow improvements.
• Advanced proficiency with PC tools and project planning software (e.g., Microsoft Project, Smartsheet, Excel, PowerPoint or similar).

Preferred Qualifications

• Asset Management experience and/or knowledge of asset management business processes and industry context.
• Experience leading initiatives that include technology building blocks/foundational components, workflow/process design, centralized testing coordination, and strong alignment to legal/risk/compliance and front/middle/back office requirements.
• PMP designation
• Demonstrated strength in negotiation, stakeholder influence, and managing vendor/procurement processes related to professional services and/or product purchases.
• Experience assessing organizational culture and adapting delivery approach to achieve outcomes.

Why Principal
At Principal, you'll do meaningful work that impacts customers, partners, and business outcomes-while collaborating with smart, committed teams across the enterprise. We value people who bring clarity, energy, and accountability to complex work-and who can create momentum through strong governance and communication.
Salary Range Information
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
$127000 - $160000 / 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
Additional Information
Location
This role will be based in either our Des Moines Iowa or Chicago IL locations and will benefit from a hybrid work schedule with an average of four in-office days per week.
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 related 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 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 to learn more about our purpose, values and benefits.
Principal is an Equal Opportunity Employer
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, 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 beyond the applicable deadline.
Date First Posted (TTF)
4/23/2026
Latest Post Date: Careers - US
6/25/2026