Email Channel Operations Analyst
Principal Financial Group, Des Moines, Iowa, United States, 50319
What You'll Do
We’re looking for an Email Channel Operations Analyst who is energized by building smarter, more impactful ways to connect with customers. In this role, you’ll help define the next evolution of our enterprise email strategy—ensuring every B2B and B2C message delivers clarity, value, and measurable impact.
This is not a campaign execution role. Instead, you’ll operate at a strategic and operational level—aligning teams, strengthening governance, championing best practices, and driving performance across our email ecosystem. You’ll serve as the bridge between our Retirement & Income Solutions (RIS) business and enterprise shared services, ensuring our email channel functions as a scalable, modern, high‑quality communication engine.
You’ll join a forward‑thinking RIS Marketing Operations team where your work will influence broader initiatives such as process optimization, data quality, and emerging AI capabilities.
Key Responsibilities
Define and manage the RIS email channel strategy and roadmap in partnership with enterprise shared services.
Prioritize and govern email‑related requests to ensure alignment with business priorities and customer experience goals.
Serve as the connector across marketing, operations, analytics, and enterprise teams to ensure shared understanding of goals, timelines, and deliverables.
Drive accountability for governance standards, process adherence, and cross‑team commitments.
Build and maintain RIS‑specific best practices, playbooks, and operating frameworks.
Stay ahead of evolving industry trends (e.g., bot‑driven click inflation, UTM blocking, privacy changes) and recommend strategy or platform enhancements.
Audit processes to identify systemic QA issues and partner with teams to address recurring gaps or workflow challenges.
Ensure adherence to unsubscribe requirements, permission management, and CAN‑SPAM/anti‑spam standards through governance—not campaign‑level QA.
Collaborate with enterprise brand, compliance, and deployment teams to reinforce governance expectations.
Monitor deliverability, sender reputation, and inbox placement; recommend strategies to improve performance.
Guide personalization tactics using dynamic content, segmentation logic, and Salesforce Marketing Cloud capabilities.
Partner with data and analytics teams to enhance personalization models and optimize engagement.
Analyze channel‑level performance data to surface optimization opportunities and improve customer experiences.
Monitor audience file health, data refresh cycles, and data integrity to ensure accuracy and prevent segmentation issues.
Translate technical findings into clear, compelling recommendations for marketers and business stakeholders.
Develop measurement approaches that reflect the evolving privacy landscape and emphasize meaningful, outcome‑based metrics.
Who You Are
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
4+ years in email marketing, marketing operations, or digital communications.
Hands‑on experience with Salesforce Marketing Cloud or similar platforms (segmentation, automation, personalization; experience with Journey Builder, Automation Studio, and dynamic content strongly preferred).
Strong analytical skills with proficiency in Excel and BI/visualization tools.
Excellent communication skills with the ability to translate business needs into clear operational or technical requirements.
Preferred Qualifications
Advanced SFMC experience (Journey Builder, Automation Studio, dynamic content).
Strong understanding of testing, measurement, and optimization for email journeys.
Ability to apply industry trends and benchmarking to guide continuous improvement.
Knowledge of email compliance requirements and deliverability best practices.
Experience with email strategy, journey mapping, or customer experience governance.
Background in matrixed or regulated industries (financial services, retirement, insurance).
Job Level We’re open to considering talent at the next level based on experience and skills.
Salary Range Information Salary ranges reflect targeted base salaries. Non‑sales positions may participate in a bonus program; sales positions may receive additional incentives. Actual compensation will be based on location, experience, etc., and finalized at the time of offer.
Salary Range (Non‑Exempt expressed as hourly; Exempt expressed as yearly)
$69,300 – $187,200 / year
Salary Details
Grand Island, NE / Wichita, KS:
Sr. Associate: $69,390 – $94,500 / year
Strategist: $84,600 – $114,300 / year
Sr. Strategist: $104,400 – $140,400 / year
Des Moines, IA / Tampa, FL:
Sr. Associate: $73,150 – $99,750 / year
Strategist: $89,300 – $120,650 / year
Sr. Strategist: $110,200 – $148,200 / year
Charlotte, NC / Dallas, TX:
Sr. Associate: $77,000 – $105,000 / year
Strategist: $94,000 – $127,000 / year
Sr. Strategist: $116,000 – $156,000 / year
Chicago, IL / Denver, CO / Minneapolis, MN:
Sr. Associate: $84,700 – $115,500 / year
Strategist: $103,400 – $139,700 / year
Sr. Strategist: $127,600 – $171,600 / year
Los Angeles, CA / New York City, NY:
Sr. Associate: $92,400 – $126,000 / year
Strategist: $112,800 – $152,400 / year
Sr. Strategist: $139,700 – $187,200 / year
Time Off Program Flexible Time Off (FTO) is provided to salaried (exempt) employees and allows paid time away for vacation, personal or short‑term illness. Employees do not accrue a bank of time off under FTO.
Pension Eligible Yes
Work Environments This role offers in‑office, hybrid (minimum three office days per week), and remote work arrangements (remote if residing more than 30 miles from Des Moines, IA, Charlotte, NC, or Raleigh, NC). You’ll work with your leader to determine the best option.
Work Authorization/Sponsorship We are not considering applicants that need immigration sponsorship now or in the future. This includes F1‑OPT, F1‑CPT, H‑1B, TN, L‑1, J‑1, etc.
Investment Code of Ethics For Principal Asset Management positions, you must follow an Investment Code of Ethics related to personal and business conduct, including personal trading activities for you and your household. These same requirements may also apply to other positions.
Experience Principal At Principal, we value connecting on both a personal and professional level. We imagine a more purpose‑led future for financial services. We support our employees with comprehensive, competitive benefit offerings.
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.
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This is not a campaign execution role. Instead, you’ll operate at a strategic and operational level—aligning teams, strengthening governance, championing best practices, and driving performance across our email ecosystem. You’ll serve as the bridge between our Retirement & Income Solutions (RIS) business and enterprise shared services, ensuring our email channel functions as a scalable, modern, high‑quality communication engine.
You’ll join a forward‑thinking RIS Marketing Operations team where your work will influence broader initiatives such as process optimization, data quality, and emerging AI capabilities.
Key Responsibilities
Define and manage the RIS email channel strategy and roadmap in partnership with enterprise shared services.
Prioritize and govern email‑related requests to ensure alignment with business priorities and customer experience goals.
Serve as the connector across marketing, operations, analytics, and enterprise teams to ensure shared understanding of goals, timelines, and deliverables.
Drive accountability for governance standards, process adherence, and cross‑team commitments.
Build and maintain RIS‑specific best practices, playbooks, and operating frameworks.
Stay ahead of evolving industry trends (e.g., bot‑driven click inflation, UTM blocking, privacy changes) and recommend strategy or platform enhancements.
Audit processes to identify systemic QA issues and partner with teams to address recurring gaps or workflow challenges.
Ensure adherence to unsubscribe requirements, permission management, and CAN‑SPAM/anti‑spam standards through governance—not campaign‑level QA.
Collaborate with enterprise brand, compliance, and deployment teams to reinforce governance expectations.
Monitor deliverability, sender reputation, and inbox placement; recommend strategies to improve performance.
Guide personalization tactics using dynamic content, segmentation logic, and Salesforce Marketing Cloud capabilities.
Partner with data and analytics teams to enhance personalization models and optimize engagement.
Analyze channel‑level performance data to surface optimization opportunities and improve customer experiences.
Monitor audience file health, data refresh cycles, and data integrity to ensure accuracy and prevent segmentation issues.
Translate technical findings into clear, compelling recommendations for marketers and business stakeholders.
Develop measurement approaches that reflect the evolving privacy landscape and emphasize meaningful, outcome‑based metrics.
Who You Are
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
4+ years in email marketing, marketing operations, or digital communications.
Hands‑on experience with Salesforce Marketing Cloud or similar platforms (segmentation, automation, personalization; experience with Journey Builder, Automation Studio, and dynamic content strongly preferred).
Strong analytical skills with proficiency in Excel and BI/visualization tools.
Excellent communication skills with the ability to translate business needs into clear operational or technical requirements.
Preferred Qualifications
Advanced SFMC experience (Journey Builder, Automation Studio, dynamic content).
Strong understanding of testing, measurement, and optimization for email journeys.
Ability to apply industry trends and benchmarking to guide continuous improvement.
Knowledge of email compliance requirements and deliverability best practices.
Experience with email strategy, journey mapping, or customer experience governance.
Background in matrixed or regulated industries (financial services, retirement, insurance).
Job Level We’re open to considering talent at the next level based on experience and skills.
Salary Range Information Salary ranges reflect targeted base salaries. Non‑sales positions may participate in a bonus program; sales positions may receive additional incentives. Actual compensation will be based on location, experience, etc., and finalized at the time of offer.
Salary Range (Non‑Exempt expressed as hourly; Exempt expressed as yearly)
$69,300 – $187,200 / year
Salary Details
Grand Island, NE / Wichita, KS:
Sr. Associate: $69,390 – $94,500 / year
Strategist: $84,600 – $114,300 / year
Sr. Strategist: $104,400 – $140,400 / year
Des Moines, IA / Tampa, FL:
Sr. Associate: $73,150 – $99,750 / year
Strategist: $89,300 – $120,650 / year
Sr. Strategist: $110,200 – $148,200 / year
Charlotte, NC / Dallas, TX:
Sr. Associate: $77,000 – $105,000 / year
Strategist: $94,000 – $127,000 / year
Sr. Strategist: $116,000 – $156,000 / year
Chicago, IL / Denver, CO / Minneapolis, MN:
Sr. Associate: $84,700 – $115,500 / year
Strategist: $103,400 – $139,700 / year
Sr. Strategist: $127,600 – $171,600 / year
Los Angeles, CA / New York City, NY:
Sr. Associate: $92,400 – $126,000 / year
Strategist: $112,800 – $152,400 / year
Sr. Strategist: $139,700 – $187,200 / year
Time Off Program Flexible Time Off (FTO) is provided to salaried (exempt) employees and allows paid time away for vacation, personal or short‑term illness. Employees do not accrue a bank of time off under FTO.
Pension Eligible Yes
Work Environments This role offers in‑office, hybrid (minimum three office days per week), and remote work arrangements (remote if residing more than 30 miles from Des Moines, IA, Charlotte, NC, or Raleigh, NC). You’ll work with your leader to determine the best option.
Work Authorization/Sponsorship We are not considering applicants that need immigration sponsorship now or in the future. This includes F1‑OPT, F1‑CPT, H‑1B, TN, L‑1, J‑1, etc.
Investment Code of Ethics For Principal Asset Management positions, you must follow an Investment Code of Ethics related to personal and business conduct, including personal trading activities for you and your household. These same requirements may also apply to other positions.
Experience Principal At Principal, we value connecting on both a personal and professional level. We imagine a more purpose‑led future for financial services. We support our employees with comprehensive, competitive benefit offerings.
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.
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