At Principal, we invest in what matters. And building dedicated teams is where it all begins. We're drawn to people who bring outstanding perspectives, passion, and expertise to help us advance the financial security and well-being of our customers. We also aim to transform our growing business and drive positive change in the communities where we live and work.
When we invest in you, and you invest in us, great things happen.
We are looking for an Associate Director, Product Development who will support our Head of Product Development, Southeast Asia in driving product strategy, product governance and fund lifecycle management across the Malaysia and Singapore markets, as well as contribute to relevant regional initiatives. The role requires strong technical product knowledge, excellent PowerPoint deck-writing capability and Excel analytical skills.
What You'll Do
- Drive product development initiatives from ideation through launch, including fund structuring, feasibility assessments, preparation of approval papers, offering documents, and regulatory submissions.
- Lead the establishment of new investment products and funds, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements and internal governance standards.
- Manage the end-to-end fund lifecycle, including product enhancements, fund amendments, class launches, product reviews, and fund rationalization activities.
- Develop and present insightful management, Product Committee, and Board materials covering product strategy, product pipeline, market opportunities, and fund recommendations.
- Conduct market research, competitive benchmarking, business intelligence, profitability reviews, and AUM analysis to support strategic product decisions.
- Partner with regulators including the Securities Commission Malaysia, Bursa Malaysia, Monetary Authority of Singapore, and Singapore Exchange on product submissions and regulatory matters.
- Prepare regular updates for senior management on product development progress, key risks, milestones, and strategic recommendations.
- Support Product Committee and governance processes, including meeting management, agenda preparation, presentation materials, and follow-up actions.
- Lead cross-functional projects and collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to ensure successful implementation of product initiatives.
- Continuously enhance product development frameworks, governance practices, policies, and operational processes to maintain regulatory compliance and operational excellence.
- Support departmental planning, resource allocation, budgeting, and prioritisation of strategic initiatives in partnership with the Head of Product Development, Southeast Asia.
Who You Are
- 3+ years of relevant experience, preferably within asset management, investment management, or the broader financial services industry; experience in compliance, legal, or corporate finance is an advantage.
- Strong understanding of the asset management industry, investment markets, and investment products, with knowledge of both conventional and Islamic investment instruments being highly desirable.
- Strong technical product knowledge, with the ability to evaluate, develop, and manage investment products throughout their lifecycle.
- Familiarity with Malaysian unit trust regulations and guidelines; exposure to Singapore's regulatory framework is a plus.
- Ability to interpret and apply regulatory requirements, policies, and guidelines in a practical business context.
- Advanced PowerPoint presentation skills, with the ability to develop compelling management, committee, and Board-level materials.
- Strong Excel analytical capabilities, including financial analysis, AUM analysis, profitability assessments, and business case development.
- Creative and strategic mindset with the ability to generate innovative product ideas and identify market opportunities.
- Strong analytical, critical-thinking, and problem-solving capabilities, with the ability to translate insights into actionable recommendations.
- Excellent presentation and communication skills, with the ability to articulate compelling product concepts, strategies, and value propositions to stakeholders.
- Strong sense of accountability and ownership, with the ability to manage projects independently from inception to completion.
- High level of attention to detail and commitment to delivering quality work.
- Unwavering integrity, professionalism, and ethical standards.
- Ability to work effectively both independently and collaboratively within cross-functional teams.
Who We Are
Principal Financial Group is a Fortune 500 global leader in financial services specializing in insurance, retirement, and asset management. We have 18,000 employees and 51 million customers around the world with over $714B in assets under management.
