Relationship Manager - Group Benefits at Principal | Midwest
If you have extensive experience managing client
relationships, working with brokers, and growing employee benefits business,
the Relationship Manager - Group Benefits position at Principal could be
a strong opportunity to consider. This full-time role is designed for an
experienced account management professional who can combine
relationship-building, financial analysis, strategic planning, and leadership
to support mid-market group benefits clients.
The position is available remotely within Principal's Midwest territory, including Kansas City, St. Louis, Minneapolis, Des Moines, Omaha, and Denver. The role offers a targeted annual base salary ranging from $89,300 to $139,700, depending on the work location, experience, education, licensing, and other qualifications.
The opportunity is particularly relevant for professionals
with at least eight years of related account management experience and a
bachelor's degree or equivalent background. In addition to managing existing
business, the Relationship Manager will work closely with sales teams and
broker partners, address complex client needs, analyze renewals, and help
develop strategies that support sustainable business growth.
Job Overview
|
Job Detail |
Information |
|
Company |
Principal Financial Group |
|
Position |
Relationship Manager - Group Benefits |
|
Job ID |
52100 |
|
Job Type |
Regular Full-Time |
|
Work Arrangement |
Remote within designated Midwest territory |
|
Locations |
Kansas City, St. Louis, Minneapolis, Des Moines, Omaha,
Denver |
|
Experience |
8+ years of related account management experience |
|
Education |
Bachelor's degree or equivalent |
|
Industry |
Financial Services / Group Benefits |
|
Salary Range |
$89,300 - $139,700 annually |
|
Pension Eligible |
Yes |
|
Original Posting Date |
August 5, 2026 |
About Principal Financial Group
Principal Financial Group operates in the financial services
industry, providing solutions designed to help individuals, businesses, and
institutions manage financial security and long-term goals.
Its business includes areas such as retirement solutions,
insurance, investment management, and employee benefits. Because of this broad
portfolio, employees can work at the intersection of financial services,
technology, customer experience, and business strategy.
For a Relationship Manager in Group Benefits, that
environment creates an opportunity to work with employers and broker partners
while developing a deeper understanding of benefits products, client needs,
financial considerations, and market expectations.
Principal also emphasizes professional development, customer
focus, integrity, and collaboration. For experienced account management
professionals, this can provide an environment where relationship management is
combined with strategic business responsibilities rather than limited to
day-to-day customer service.
Key Responsibilities
Manage and Grow an Assigned Client Portfolio
A major part of the Relationship Manager job is managing an
existing block of group benefits business. The successful candidate will be
expected to understand client priorities, identify opportunities, and develop
strategies that support retention and profitable growth.
This requires more than maintaining relationships.
Candidates should be comfortable looking at account performance, identifying
risks, and finding practical ways to strengthen client partnerships.
Build Strategic Relationship Plans
The role involves creating relationship strategies with
measurable quarterly and annual objectives. A strong candidate should therefore
be capable of translating broad business goals into organized account plans.
This may involve coordinating with internal teams,
communicating priorities to brokers, tracking progress, and adjusting
strategies as client requirements change.
Resolve Complex Client Issues
Group benefits accounts can involve detailed service
questions, plan changes, renewals, and other complex situations. The
Relationship Manager will serve as an experienced point of contact when issues
require deeper analysis or coordination.
Strong judgment and communication are important because
solutions need to address both customer expectations and business
considerations.
Analyze Renewals and Plan Changes
The position requires expert-level involvement in renewal
analysis and plan amendments. Candidates should be comfortable reviewing
information, interpreting financial considerations, and communicating
recommendations clearly to clients and broker partners.
Support and Develop Team Members
Leadership is another important component of this position.
The Relationship Manager may train, mentor, and help onboard Client
Relationship Consultants.
This makes the role a good fit for someone who enjoys
sharing knowledge and helping less-experienced colleagues develop their
capabilities.
Educate Broker Partners
The successful candidate will also provide training related
to Principal's products and services. Presentation skills, industry knowledge,
and the ability to explain complicated information in an understandable manner
will be valuable.
Required Skills for the Relationship Manager Role
Principal is seeking an experienced professional with a
combination of business, analytical, communication, and leadership
capabilities.
Technical and Business Skills
Relevant skills include:
- Account
and relationship management
- Financial
analysis
- Business
planning
- Renewal
analysis
- Client
portfolio management
- Presentation
and training
- Intermediate
computer skills
- Business
application knowledge
- Problem-solving
and decision-making
- Understanding
of group benefits concepts
Soft Skills
The role also requires strong interpersonal abilities,
including:
- Excellent
verbal and written communication
- Active
listening
- Persuasion
and influencing skills
- Organization
and time management
- Leadership
- Sound
judgment
- Attention
to detail
- Ability
to maintain confidentiality
- Professional
relationship building
Because the position involves regular interaction with
customers and brokers, communication skills will be particularly important.
Qualifications
Applicants should have a bachelor's degree or equivalent
qualification along with at least eight years of related account management
experience.
An active life and health insurance license is preferred.
Candidates must also be able to obtain and maintain the licenses required by
Principal within 90 days of employment, according to the job posting.
The role can involve approximately 25% market-facing time,
including face-to-face meetings with customers and brokers. Some travel may
require overnight stays.
Applicants should also understand that Principal currently
does not consider candidates who require immigration sponsorship or additional
work authorization now or in the future for this position.
Salary and Benefits
The published salary range for the Relationship Manager -
Group Benefits position is $89,300 to $139,700 per year. The actual
offer can vary based on factors such as geographic location, professional
experience, education, licensing, and skill level.
The listed location-specific ranges are:
- Des
Moines and Omaha: $89,300 - $120,650
- St.
Louis and Kansas City: $94,000 - $127,000
- Minneapolis
and Denver: $103,400 - $139,700
Principal states that eligible positions may participate in
incentive or bonus programs, with compensation depending on the applicable role
and individual performance.
The position is also listed as pension eligible.
Salaried employees receive access to Principal's Flexible Time Off program
rather than accruing a traditional fixed vacation bank.
Other benefits can vary according to employment terms and
applicable location. Applicants should review the official offer and benefits
information for the most accurate details.
Why Consider This Opportunity?
Strategic Career Growth
This is more than a conventional account management
position. The Relationship Manager works across sales, client service, broker
relationships, financial analysis, and business strategy.
Leadership Experience
Professionals interested in developing leadership
capabilities can gain experience through mentoring, training, and onboarding
other relationship management employees.
Industry Expertise
The role provides an opportunity to deepen knowledge of
group benefits and employee financial security while working directly with
business clients and brokers.
Remote Midwest Work Arrangement
The position is structured as a remote opportunity within a
defined Midwest territory. Candidates should, however, be prepared for regular
customer and broker interaction and some overnight travel.
Financial Services and Technology Exposure
Principal's operations combine financial services with
technology-driven tools and customer solutions. This can be valuable for
professionals who want experience in a modern financial services environment.
Hiring Process
The exact hiring process can vary and should not be assumed
from the job posting. Generally, applicants for experienced corporate positions
may go through several stages:
- Online
application through the official careers website.
- Resume
and application review to determine alignment with the position.
- Recruiter
or initial interview if selected for further consideration.
- Hiring
team interviews focused on experience, client management, leadership,
and relevant industry knowledge.
- Additional
evaluation, if applicable to the role.
- Final
selection and offer, subject to applicable employment requirements.
Principal states that it uses artificial intelligence tools
to assist with application review, fraud prevention, and candidate matching.
These tools support human recruiters, and the company says final hiring
decisions are not made solely by AI.
How to Apply
Interested candidates should apply through the official
Principal careers website rather than relying on third-party job
advertisements.
Official job application:
https://careers.principal.com/careers-home/jobs/52100?lang=en-us&previousLocale=en-US
Before applying, review the complete posting carefully,
particularly the experience requirements, licensing expectations, location
restrictions, work authorization requirements, and application deadline.
The posting was originally published on August 5, 2026,
and Principal notes that job postings may close or be removed based on
application volume. Therefore, qualified candidates should consider submitting
their application promptly.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who can apply for the Principal Relationship Manager
job?
The position is intended for experienced account management
professionals who meet the education and experience requirements and can
satisfy the applicable licensing and work authorization conditions.
2. Is the Relationship Manager position remote?
Yes. The posting states that the role will work remotely
from within the designated Midwest territory, including Kansas City, St. Louis,
Minneapolis, Des Moines, Omaha, or Denver.
3. How much experience is required?
Candidates are expected to have at least eight years of
related account management experience along with a bachelor's degree or
equivalent.
4. Is an insurance license required?
An active life and health license is preferred. The posting
also states that the successful candidate must be able to obtain and maintain
required state licenses within 90 days.
5. What is the salary for this position?
The published overall salary range is $89,300 to $139,700
annually. The applicable range depends on the work location and other
candidate factors.
6. Does the role involve travel?
Yes. The job posting indicates that approximately 25% of the
candidate's time may be spent in the market meeting customers and brokers, with
some overnight travel.
7. Can candidates who need U.S. immigration sponsorship
apply?
According to the current posting, Principal is not
considering applicants who need immigration sponsorship or additional work
authorization now or in the future for this position.
8. Where should I apply?
Applications should be submitted through Principal's
official careers website. Avoid submitting personal information through
unofficial job boards or unknown recruitment links.
9. Is this position full-time?
Yes. The position is listed as a regular full-time
opportunity.
10. Is the position pension eligible?
Yes. The job listing specifically identifies the position as
pension eligible.
Related Job Suggestions
Professionals interested in this opportunity may also want
to search for:
- Group
Benefits Account Manager
- Senior
Client Relationship Manager
- Employee
Benefits Consultant
- Benefits
Relationship Manager
- Insurance
Account Executive
- Regional
Account Manager
- Group
Insurance Sales Manager
- Client
Service Manager - Financial Services
Final Thoughts
The Principal Relationship Manager - Group Benefits
opportunity is well suited to experienced account management professionals who
enjoy combining customer relationships with strategic business planning. The
position offers a broad scope of responsibility, from portfolio retention and
renewal analysis to broker education and team development.
With a remote Midwest work arrangement, a published salary
range of up to $139,700, pension eligibility, and opportunities to work across
financial services and group benefits, this role may appeal to professionals
looking for their next senior-level relationship management position.
Because job availability and application deadlines can
change, candidates should verify the latest information directly on Principal's
careers website before applying. Most importantly, use the official application
page to protect your personal information and ensure your application reaches
the correct recruiting team.
Apply through the official Principal careers page:
https://careers.principal.com/careers-home/jobs/52100?lang=en-us&previousLocale=en-US
