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, making sure 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.
Lead Email Channel Strategy & Enterprise Alignment
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.
Strengthen Channel Quality, Personalization & Compliance
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.
Turn Performance into Actionable Insight
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 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) $69300 - $187200 / 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, 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 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
Work Environments This role offers in‑office, hybrid (blending at least three office days in a typical workweek), and remote work arrangements (only if residing more than 30 miles from Des Moines, IA, Charlotte, NC, and Raleigh, NC). You’ll work with your leader to figure out which option may align best based on several factors.
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.
Original Posting Date 2/16/2026
Most Recently Posted Date 2/16/2026
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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, making sure 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.
Lead Email Channel Strategy & Enterprise Alignment
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.
Strengthen Channel Quality, Personalization & Compliance
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.
Turn Performance into Actionable Insight
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 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) $69300 - $187200 / 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, 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 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
Work Environments This role offers in‑office, hybrid (blending at least three office days in a typical workweek), and remote work arrangements (only if residing more than 30 miles from Des Moines, IA, Charlotte, NC, and Raleigh, NC). You’ll work with your leader to figure out which option may align best based on several factors.
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.
Original Posting Date 2/16/2026
Most Recently Posted Date 2/16/2026
#J-18808-Ljbffr