Regional Managing Director at Principal | Michigan & Indianapolis
Introduction
Principal is hiring a Regional Managing Director to
lead and grow its business across Grand Rapids and Lansing, Michigan, and
Indianapolis, Indiana. This senior leadership opportunity is designed for
an experienced sales and management professional who can build strong teams,
develop business relationships, recruit financial professionals, and drive
sustainable business performance.
The Regional Managing Director job at Principal offers a substantial compensation opportunity, with a listed base salary range of $150,000 to $215,000 per year, plus incentive compensation. The position is also pension eligible and includes Flexible Time Off for eligible salaried employees.
This role may appeal to professionals who have spent several
years leading sales organizations, managing advisors or producers, and working
within the financial services or insurance sector. Candidates should be
comfortable balancing business development with people leadership, regulatory
responsibilities, recruiting, retention, and financial performance.
Because the position covers multiple possible office
locations, qualified candidates can pursue the opportunity from Grand
Rapids, MI; Lansing, MI; or Indianapolis, IN. Applicants should review the
official posting carefully for licensing, securities examination, work
authorization, and application requirements before applying.
Job Overview
|
Job Detail |
Information |
|
Company |
Principal |
|
Position |
Regional Managing Director |
|
Job ID |
52122 |
|
Career Area |
Sales |
|
Employment Type |
Regular Full-Time |
|
Locations |
Grand Rapids, MI; Lansing, MI; Indianapolis, IN |
|
Experience Required |
8+ years of related experience, including sales and
management |
|
Education |
Bachelor's degree or equivalent |
|
Salary |
$150,000–$215,000 annually |
|
Additional Compensation |
Incentive compensation |
|
Travel |
Up to approximately 15%, including overnight travel |
|
Pension Eligible |
Yes |
About Principal
Principal operates in the financial services industry and
provides solutions designed to help individuals, businesses, and organizations
prepare for financial goals and long-term security.
Its business spans areas such as retirement solutions,
insurance, investment management, and employee benefits. Because of this broad
portfolio, leadership positions at Principal can involve a combination of
financial services knowledge, relationship management, sales strategy,
compliance awareness, and team development.
The Regional Managing Director position is particularly
people-focused. Rather than concentrating solely on individual sales
performance, the role involves creating an environment where advisors and other
professionals can develop their careers and contribute to the performance of a
broader business center.
Principal also emphasizes an inclusive workplace and states
that it was recognized on the Forbes list of America's Best Employers for
Diversity in 2026, marking its seventh year on the list.
Key Responsibilities
Build and Grow a Profitable Business Center
One of the central responsibilities is developing a
successful regional business operation. The director will need to understand
market opportunities, establish priorities, monitor results, and help the
business center achieve its financial and operational objectives.
Recruit and Develop Advisors
Talent acquisition is an important part of this position.
The Regional Managing Director will help attract qualified professionals while
also supporting their training and development.
Effective leadership in this area requires more than simply
filling vacancies. The successful candidate should be able to recognize
promising talent, provide coaching, encourage professional development, and
create conditions that support long-term retention.
Lead Business Development
The role includes responsibility for generating and
expanding business opportunities. Candidates should therefore understand sales
strategies and know how to develop relationships that can contribute to
sustained regional growth.
Manage Business Performance
The position involves monitoring several dimensions of
performance, including recruiting, retention, production, persistency, business
conduct, and expenses.
A successful leader will need to balance growth objectives
with responsible business practices and appropriate financial and regulatory
controls.
Establish a Strong Team Culture
The company is looking for a leader capable of managing a
diverse group of producers. Building trust, communicating expectations,
recognizing performance, and addressing challenges effectively will all be
important aspects of the job.
Maintain Community Relationships
The position also requires the ability to develop and
maintain relationships within the community. Strong external relationships can
help strengthen a business center's reputation and support business development
activities.
Required Skills
Candidates considering this Principal Regional Managing
Director position should bring a combination of commercial, leadership,
communication, and financial-services capabilities.
Technical and Professional Skills
- Strong
knowledge of sales techniques
- Understanding
of insurance and securities regulations
- Experience
managing sales professionals
- Business
development expertise
- Recruiting
and talent-development experience
- Performance
and expense management skills
- Knowledge
of financial services operations
- Ability
to work within licensing and regulatory requirements
Leadership and Soft Skills
- Strong
verbal and written communication
- Presentation
skills
- Coaching
and mentoring ability
- Strategic
thinking
- Decision-making
- Relationship
building
- Team
leadership
- Conflict
management
- Ability
to work with diverse teams
- Community
engagement skills
Preferred Credentials
The posting indicates that professional designations such as
Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU), Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC),
Certified Financial Planner (CFP), or Chartered Leadership Fellow (CLF) are
desirable.
Fully licensed candidates are strongly preferred.
Qualifications and Licensing Requirements
A bachelor's degree or equivalent is required, together with
at least eight years of related work experience, including sales and
management.
Because this is a regulated financial-services leadership
position, licensing requirements are an important consideration.
The position requires applicable resident and non-resident Life/Health
and Variable Annuity licensing for states in which business will be
conducted.
Depending on applicable state requirements and the role's
responsibilities, securities examinations or appointments may include:
- Series
7
- Series
63 or equivalent
- Series
24
- Series
65 and/or Series 66
Candidates who do not already hold every required license
should carefully review the official Principal licensing and examination
policies to understand the applicable timeframe and requirements.
The role may involve travel of up to 15%, including
overnight stays.
Salary and Benefits
The listed base salary for this position is $150,000 to
$215,000 per year. Principal also notes that the position has heavy
incentive compensation in addition to the listed salary, meaning total
earnings may depend substantially on performance and applicable incentive
arrangements.
The posting also identifies the role as pension eligible.
For eligible salaried employees, Principal provides a Flexible
Time Off (FTO) program. Under this arrangement, employees do not accumulate
a traditional bank of vacation days; instead, eligible employees can take paid
time away for vacation, personal needs, or short-term illness in accordance
with company policy.
Other benefits may depend on employment terms, location,
eligibility, and company policies. Candidates should consult the official
benefits information and job posting for the most current details.
Why Consider This Opportunity?
Senior-Level Leadership Experience
This is a management opportunity for professionals who want
responsibility beyond individual sales production. Leading a regional
organization can provide valuable experience in recruitment, business strategy,
performance management, and organizational leadership.
Strong Compensation Structure
The combination of a $150,000–$215,000 base salary
and incentive compensation makes the opportunity potentially attractive to
experienced sales leaders.
Multiple Location Options
Qualified candidates can be considered for offices in Grand
Rapids, Lansing, or Indianapolis, giving applicants some flexibility
regarding the regional location associated with the position.
Professional Development
Working with advisors and financial professionals can expose
a leader to a wide range of sales, financial-services, regulatory, and
business-development challenges.
Broader Business Impact
Rather than focusing on one client account or one sales
territory, the position involves influencing recruiting, retention, business
performance, and culture across a regional business center.
Hiring Process
The exact selection process can vary, so applicants should
not assume that every candidate will follow identical steps. A typical
senior-level recruitment process may include:
- Online
application – Submit an application through the official Principal
careers platform.
- Resume
review – Recruiters may evaluate experience, leadership background,
qualifications, and licensing.
- Initial
conversation – A recruiter or hiring representative may contact
qualified candidates.
- Leadership
interviews – Candidates may participate in interviews focused on sales
leadership, recruiting, business development, and management.
- Additional
evaluation – Depending on the role and hiring process, additional
discussions or assessments may be requested.
- Offer
and pre-employment steps – A selected candidate may receive an offer
followed by applicable employment and licensing requirements.
Principal states that it uses artificial intelligence tools
to assist with application review, fraud prevention, and candidate matching,
while human recruiters remain involved and the AI tools do not make final
hiring decisions without human involvement.
How to Apply
Interested candidates should apply only through the
official Principal careers website and review Job ID 52122 before
submitting an application.
The listed application page is:
Principal Regional Managing Director – Job 52122:
https://careers.principal.com/careers-home/jobs/52122?lang=en-us&previousLocale=en-US
The posting was originally published on August 7, 2026,
and the company notes that job postings may close or be removed depending on
application activity. Therefore, candidates should apply promptly if the
position matches their qualifications.
Applicants should also verify the licensing, securities
examination, and U.S. work authorization requirements before applying. The
posting states that Principal is not currently considering candidates who
require immigration sponsorship now or in the future.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who can apply for the Regional Managing Director
position?
The position is aimed at experienced sales and management
professionals who meet the education, experience, leadership, and licensing
requirements.
2. How much does the Regional Managing Director position
pay?
The listed base salary is $150,000 to $215,000 per year,
with additional incentive compensation.
3. Where is this Principal job located?
The position can be based at one of three locations: Grand
Rapids, Michigan; Lansing, Michigan; or Indianapolis, Indiana.
4. Is prior management experience required?
Yes. The posting calls for at least eight years of related
professional experience, including sales and management experience.
5. Is a bachelor's degree required?
Yes. Principal lists a bachelor's degree or equivalent as a
requirement.
6. Are professional financial designations required?
Designations such as CLU, ChFC, CFP, or CLF are listed as
desirable rather than mandatory qualifications.
7. Are securities licenses required?
Applicable licensing and securities examinations are
required for the role. The specific requirements can depend on applicable state
law and the business conducted.
8. Is the job remote?
The supplied job posting identifies Grand Rapids,
Lansing, or Indianapolis office locations. It does not state that this
position is fully remote. Candidates should confirm the current work
arrangement directly through the official posting.
9. Does the position require travel?
Yes. Some travel is required, including overnight stays,
with travel indicated at up to approximately 15%.
10. Can candidates requiring U.S. immigration sponsorship
apply?
According to the posting, Principal is not considering
applicants who require immigration sponsorship or additional work authorization
now or in the future.
11. Is the position pension eligible?
Yes. The job posting identifies the position as pension
eligible.
12. Where should candidates apply?
Candidates should use the official Principal careers page
and search for Job ID 52122. Avoid relying on unofficial application
links or third-party recruiters unless independently verified.
Related Job Suggestions
Professionals interested in this opening may also want to
search for:
- Regional
Sales Director – Financial Services
- Financial
Services Sales Manager
- Insurance
Agency Regional Manager
- Managing
Director – Wealth Management
- Senior
Financial Advisor Manager
- Regional
Business Development Director
- Director
of Advisor Recruiting
- Financial
Services District Manager
Final Thoughts
The Regional Managing Director position at Principal
is a senior opportunity for an established sales leader who enjoys developing
people while driving business results. The combination of regional leadership,
advisor recruitment, business development, performance management, community
relationships, and financial-services responsibilities makes this role
substantially broader than a traditional sales position.
The advertised $150,000–$215,000 base salary,
additional incentive compensation, pension eligibility, and multiple Michigan
and Indiana location options may make the position particularly relevant to
experienced financial-services professionals.
However, candidates should pay close attention to the
licensing and securities examination requirements, as well as the stated U.S.
work authorization conditions. Since job availability and requirements can
change, always verify the latest information on the official Principal careers
page before applying.
Apply through the official Principal careers website and
search for Job ID 52122.
