AVP, Third Party Administration and Supplier Management – Life, Health & Annuities

USAA•San Antonio, TX

4d•$195,230 - $351,410•Hybrid

About The Position

USAA Life Insurance Company is seeking an accomplished insurance operations leader to serve as AVP of Third Party Administration and Supplier Management for its Life, Health, and Annuity businesses. Reporting directly to the Vice President of LifeCo Operations, this executive owns the strategy, governance, performance, and continued evolution of USAA Life’s third-party administration and supplier management function. The role covers third-party administrators, operational service providers, technology partners, and strategic suppliers supporting new business issuance, policy administration and servicing, claims, and other member-facing operations. The AVP will shape how USAA builds, governs, and scales its third-party operating ecosystem as the company evolves its distribution and operating models. The role includes developing executive partnerships with key providers, improving service and accountability, optimizing the supplier portfolio, and determining where external capabilities can provide scale, specialization, technology enablement, and economic value while identifying capabilities best retained internally. The executive is accountable for operational excellence, regulatory compliance, service delivery, risk management, innovation, member experience, and strategic and financial outcomes. The position can be based in San Antonio, Texas; Charlotte, North Carolina; or Phoenix, Arizona. The work environment is flexible but requires the employee to be in the office four days per week. Relocation assistance is available. USAA does not provide visa sponsorship for this position.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree, or four additional years of related experience beyond the minimum required in lieu of a degree.
10+ years of progressive experience in supplier management, vendor management, third-party administration, strategic partnerships, and/or insurance operations; preferably in Life, Health, or Annuity businesses.
6+ years of people leadership experience building, leading, and developing teams in complex, highly matrixed organizations.
Experience leading large-scale third-party administration, outsourcing, and strategic supplier relationships with accountability for service delivery, operational performance, member or customer outcomes, and financial results.
Expertise negotiating and governing complex contracts, service-level agreements, performance standards, commercial arrangements, and executive-level supplier relationships.
Experience establishing and overseeing third-party risk, compliance, audit, business continuity, operational resilience, and governance programs in a regulated insurance or financial services environment.
Success driving supplier transformation, process improvement, operating-model changes, and vendor optimization to improve service, quality, efficiency, and cost.
Strong understanding of Life, Health, and/or Annuity operations, ideally including new business issuance, policy administration and servicing, claims, and outsourced operational capabilities.
Ability to serve as an executive escalation point for critical supplier relationships and resolve complex performance issues while maintaining strategic partnerships.
Experience partnering with senior leaders across Operations, Product, Distribution, Technology, Procurement, Legal, Compliance, Risk, and Finance to evaluate third-party capabilities and influence business decisions.
Strong knowledge of regulatory, operational, financial, and reputational risks associated with third-party providers and outsourced insurance operations.
Executive-level business acumen and judgment to balance member experience, service quality, financial performance, scalability, and risk.

Nice To Haves

Deep experience in a prominent Life Insurance organization leading sophisticated third-party administration, outsourced operations, or strategic supplier relationships supporting Life, Annuity, and/or Health products.
Ownership of large-scale third-party administration relationships spanning new business, policy administration and servicing, claims, and other critical operational capabilities, with accountability for service and financial outcomes.
A track record of improving underperforming suppliers through performance management, executive escalation, contractual leverage, and continuous improvement.
Experience managing both direct and third-party distribution operating models, with understanding of the needs of policyholders, agents, advisors, distributors, and external administrators.
Success designing and scaling outsourced operating models, including supplier selection, transitions, governance, risk management, service-level design, and optimization of complex vendor ecosystems.
Executive-level experience managing relationships with senior leaders of strategic partners, challenging performance, driving accountability, resolving significant issues, and creating long-term value.

Responsibilities

Establish and execute the strategic vision, operating model, and long-term roadmap for third-party administration and supplier management supporting Life, Health, and Retirement Income businesses.
Align third-party servicing strategies with business growth, member experience priorities, operational goals, and enterprise initiatives.
Partner with senior business leaders to evaluate and implement third-party capabilities, operating models, and technology solutions.
Identify industry trends, market developments, regulatory changes, and innovation opportunities and translate them into strategic recommendations.
Lead selection, due diligence, contract negotiation, onboarding, and ongoing management of third-party administrators, technology providers, operational service providers, and strategic suppliers.
Develop executive-level relationships with key partners and serve as the primary executive liaison for strategic relationships, escalations, and performance optimization.
Lead end-to-end oversight of supplier and third-party administration performance, including service delivery, business outcomes, issue resolution, contractual obligations, and partner effectiveness.
Establish and govern performance frameworks, service-level agreements, operational metrics, and business review processes; monitor results and drive corrective action and continuous improvement.
Ensure provider experiences align with USAA member service standards.
Oversee supplier financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, business cases, and contract governance.
Lead strategic sourcing, supplier optimization, cost management, and efficiency initiatives while maintaining service quality and compliance.
Establish governance frameworks, risk management practices, and control environments for third-party administration and supplier management.
Oversee supplier due diligence, onboarding, business continuity planning, controls, operational resilience, and regulatory compliance.
Ensure third-party risks are identified, assessed, mitigated, monitored, escalated, and reported in line with risk management standards.
Partner with Compliance, Legal, Procurement, Risk Management, and Business Controls to meet regulatory, contractual, and enterprise requirements.
Build and lead a high-performing organization through workforce planning, talent development, succession planning, coaching, and performance management.
Foster collaboration, innovation, operational excellence, and continuous improvement; develop organizational capabilities for evolving business needs.
Lead change management and communications for supplier transformations, operating model enhancements, and enterprise initiatives.

Benefits

Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans
401(k)
Pension
Life insurance
Parental benefits
Adoption assistance
Paid time off program
Paid holidays
16 paid volunteer hours
Wellness programs
Career path planning and continuing education
Relocation assistance
Employees may be eligible for pay incentives based on overall corporate and individual performance and at the discretion of the USAA Board of Directors
Long Term Incentive Plan cash payment for executive-level roles, time- and performance-based