Lead Communications Director

Why USAA?

At USAA, our mission is to empower our members to achieve financial security through highly competitive products, exceptional service and trusted advice. We seek to be the #1 choice for the military community and their families.

Embrace a fulfilling career at USAA, where our core values – honesty, integrity, loyalty and service – define how we treat each other and our members. Be part of what truly makes us special and impactful.

We are proud to support active-duty military spouses. USAA roles may offer remote or hybrid flexibility for active-duty military spouses consistent with applicable policy and business needs.

The Opportunity

As a dedicated Lead Communications Director, you will translate the organization's culture and mission into compelling narratives that reach employees and external audiences. The position calls for someone who can uncover the human stories behind USAA's work and amplify them through integrated campaigns to strengthen the workforce's connection to the mission and build the company's reputation. Candidates should bring deep communications expertise, a passion for authentic, impactful storytelling and a genuine understanding of the military community that USAA serves.

We offer a flexible work environment that requires an individual to be in the office 4 days per week.

This position will be based in the San Antonio, TX office location.   

Relocation assistance is available for this position.

What you'll do:

• Provides regular counsel and insight to senior management, company leaders, subject-matter experts, and unit staff to develop highly complex effective communication strategies and tactics in support of enterprise strategic initiatives.

• Prioritizes highly complex communication projects and ensures they support enterprise plans for employee, member, and public initiatives. Serves as a key influencer and integrator of strategic objectives across the enterprise.

• Creates strategies that employ communications tactics such as press outreach, online advocacy, social networking internal and external social channels, leadership, and other internal and external communication channels, and , publications. Measures the effectiveness of communications strategies to ensure objectives are met.

• Develops and implements highly complex communications plans in support of business objectives and collaborates with colleagues to support positive business outcomes, protect and enhance USAA's reputation, and engage the company's workforce.

• Develops, manages and executes effective messaging, collateral, processes and strategies in support of business initiatives; craft key messaging for use with federal and local regulators .

• Partners with various teams within the Marketing & Communications Organization (e.g.Social Business, Content Strategy & Development) and with key enterprise partners in the development of collateral to be used across all mediums, including print, web, email, video, and social media to help deliver the messages on the identified channels.

• Maintains a command of USAA strategies and possesses in-depth knowledge of financial services industry issues and trends, and actively seeking to link those issues to ongoing or emerging employee, member and/or public communications opportunities.

• In support of public affairs, leads and/or partners in the development and implementation of all communications to include crisis management, legislative, regulatory and litigation communications. Manages message development and builds relationships with third-party groups.

• Develops and manages grassroots communications with influential groups. Develops relationships with the news media to leverage USAA's reputation.

• In support of social media, partners with the Social Business team to plans, directs, and executes USAA's social media strategy to protect, sustain, and enhance USAA's reputation.

• Develops and mentors junior team members.

• Ensures risks associated with business activities are effectively identified, measured, monitored, and controlled in accordance with risk and compliance policies and procedures.

What you have:

• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Journalism, Marketing, or related degree field; OR 4 years of relevant education and/or experience.

• 8 or more years of progressively responsible experience in internal and/or external communications (including employee communications), preferably within the financial services industry to include media relations experience working with media outlets at national, regional or local levels.

• Subject Matter Expert writing and editing skills and excellent verbal communication skills.

• Subject-matter-expert knowledge of the function/discipline and demonstrated application of knowledge, skills and abilities towards work products required.

• Subject-matter-expert level in communication industry practices and emerging trends required.

• Experience in translating business objectives into integrated communication strategies and tactics that drive business performance.

• Project management and collaboration experience including managing cross-functional projects from inception to completion.

• Subject Matter Expert writing and editing skills and excellent verbal communication skills.

• Subject-matter-expert knowledge of the function/discipline and demonstrated application of knowledge, skills and abilities towards work products required.

• Subject-matter-expert level in communication industry practices and emerging trends required.

• Experience in translating business objectives into integrated communication strategies and tactics that drive business performance.

• Project management and collaboration experience including managing cross-functional projects from inception to completion.

What sets you apart:

• Authentic, energetic and impactful storyteller with a brand-champion mindset who will operate at the intersection of culture, brand and employee experience.

• Self-starter with natural curiosity who will mine for stories that define USAA’s people and mission, both internally and externally. Focus areas will include storytelling & narrative development, internal communications & employee experience, external communications & media relations and social media & brand advocacy.

• Demonstrated media relations experience and success creating and executing impactful, measurable social media campaigns.

• Prior experience in culture communications, brand ambassador programs, employee experience, or as a Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) officer, plus military-community familiarity.

• US military experience gained through military service or gained as a military spouse / domestic partner.

Compensation range: The salary range for this position is: $127,310.00 - $243,340.00.

USAA does not provide visa sponsorship for this role. Please do not apply for this role if at any time (now or in the future) you will need immigration support (i.e., H-1B, TN, STEM OPT Training Plans, etc.).

Compensation: USAA has an effective process for assessing market data and establishing ranges to ensure we remain competitive. You are paid within the salary range based on your experience and market data of the position. The actual salary for this role may vary by location.

Employees may be eligible for pay incentives based on overall corporate and individual performance and at the discretion of the USAA Board of Directors.

The above description reflects the details considered necessary to describe the principal functions of the job and should not be construed as a detailed description of all the work requirements that may be performed in the job.

Benefits: At USAA our employees enjoy best-in-class benefits to support their physical, financial, and emotional wellness. These benefits include comprehensive medical, dental and vision plans, 401(k), pension, life insurance, parental benefits, adoption assistance, paid time off program with paid holidays plus 16 paid volunteer hours, and various wellness programs. Additionally, our career path planning and continuing education assists employees with their professional goals.

For more details on our outstanding benefits, visit our benefits page on USAAjobs.com.

Applications for this position are accepted on an ongoing basis, this posting will remain open until the position is filled. Thus, interested candidates are encouraged to apply the same day they view this posting.

USAA 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 status as a protected veteran.