What You'll Do
We're seeking a highly motivated counsel to join Principal's corporate legal team. This role will support a broad range of corporate legal matters, with a focus on supporting mergers and acquisitions (M&A) and other strategic transactions as well as corporate secretarial and governance matters. This role will also serve as a corporate generalist, supporting evolving needs within the corporate legal team, which may include data privacy and security, technology and human resources.This position offers great exposure to sophisticated transactions and corporate operations, collaboration with senior in-house attorneys and business leaders, and strong opportunities for professional growth within Principal's Law, Compliance and Government Relations group.
Key Responsibilities
Support the corporate transactions legal team across all stages of domestic and international M&A and other strategic transactions, including structuring, legal due diligence, drafting and negotiating transaction documents (e.g., NDAs, letters of intent, purchase agreements), closings, and post-closing matters (e.g. integration and transition services).
Coordinate with internal deal teams, external advisors, and subject-matter experts to ensure transactions are executed efficiently and in compliance with applicable laws, internal policies and contractual requirements.
Support on corporate secretarial and governance matters for Principal subsidiaries, including entity formation, maintenance, restructuring, and dissolution activities as well as support for board and committee activities.
Collaborate, train and provide appropriate oversight of paralegals and other support staff who work on corporate secretarial and governance matters.
Support other corporate legal matters as needed, including treasury, privacy, data protection, and technology and human resource-related issues, in coordination with subject-matter experts.
Monitor legal and regulatory developments relevant to the business and assist with updates to policies, procedures, and internal guidance.
Coordinate with and manage outside counsel on specific matters, as appropriate, ensuring cost-effective and high-quality legal support.
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!
Who You Are
Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school.
Admission to practice law in the State of Iowa or the ability to obtain such licensure and remain in good standing.
3+ years of relevant legal experience, gained in a law firm and/or in-house legal department.
Experience in corporate law, with meaningful exposure to M&A or other complex transactions and general corporate matters.
Strong legal research, drafting, and negotiation skills, with attention to detail.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills and the ability to explain legal issues clearly to non-legal stakeholders.
Strong judgment, analytical skills, and a practical, solutions-oriented approach.
Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment with professionalism and discretion.
Preferred Qualifications
Exposure to the financial services or other highly regulated industries.
Prior experience in treasury, privacy, data protection, technology or human resource-related legal issues.
5+ years of corporate legal experience
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 (Non-Exempt expressed as hourly; Exempt expressed as yearly)
$127000 - $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
Location & Work Environment
Role is based out of our corporate headquarters in Des Moines, IA and offers a hybrid work arrangement, blending at least three in-office days during a typical workweek.
Job Level
We'll consider talent at the next level with the right experiences and skills. The next levels requires a J.D. and 5+ years as attorney/counsel or J.D. and 8+ years attorney/counsel.
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 (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)
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 (https://www.principal.com/about-us/careers) 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.
Original Posting Date
4/30/2026
Most Recently Posted Date
4/30/2026
LinkedIn Hashtag
LI-MT1
