Director, Audit - Model Risk

USAA • San Antonio, TX

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

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. The Opportunity As a dedicated Director, Audit for Model Risk, you will manage the planning, execution and oversight of the consolidated annual audit plan including risk-based assurance and advisory engagements driving quality of audit work for a designated staff agency or line of business/functional area. Maintains knowledge of financial services regulations and effectively responds and interacts with regulators. Provides oversight to multiple audit engagements, engagement planning, fieldwork and reporting. Manages strategic initiatives and leads in the development and implementation of a risk-based audit plan. Serves, and/or partners with subject matter expert(s) within audit or the business to analyze issues, establish and improve collaborative client relationships, and proactively work with client management to assess risk and improve internal controls. Responsible for building teams with the requisite knowledge and skillsets necessary to execute the audit plan, employee retention and overall team development. Ensures fiscally responsible expense management. Provides independent oversight and thought leadership for audit disciplines ensuring that audit plans, frameworks, standards, and processes provide appropriate risk coverage. Adheres to the Institute of Internal Auditors' International Standards for the Professional Practice of Internal Auditing (Standards) and Code of Ethics. Relocation assistance is available for this position. This role is remote eligible in the continental U.S. with occasional business travel. However, individuals residing within a 60-mile radius of a USAA office will be expected to work on-site four days per week.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in business or relevant field such as Finance, Accounting, Business, or Information Technology; OR 4 years of related experience (in addition to the minimum years of experience required) may be substituted in lieu of degree.
• 8 years of audit, financial, insurance, banking, information technology or related business and/or leadership experience.
• 3 years of direct team lead or management experience leading and directing work with both internal and external partners in a highly collaborative environment.
• Experience performing internal audits, external audits, or applying audit, risk, or compliance acumen in a complex operational and regulatory environment.
• Experience directly leading or managing work of both internal and external partners.
• Broad and comprehensive experience in Audit theory, internal audit principles with demonstrated experience in audit examining, analyzing, assessing, and drawing conclusions from audit work.
• Demonstrated experience effectively communicating and challenging Controls with business partners and influencing business outcomes.
• Demonstrated critical thinking and knowledge of data analysis tools and techniques and decision-making abilities.
• Demonstrated experience in highly dynamic environment undergoing change; ability to deal with competing priorities.

Nice To Haves

• Experience designing and leading comprehensive audits of complex models, including but not limited to AI/ML, statistical, and financial models, ensuring compliance with SR 11-7, relevant regulatory frameworks, and internal policies.
• Expert-level knowledge to oversee the assessment of model governance protocols across a diverse model inventory, reviewing frameworks and controls to monitor and manage overall model risk effectively in alignment with regulatory standards.
• Broad and comprehensive experience to lead the development and execution of advanced quality assurance programs across model development, validation, and ongoing monitoring, ensuring rigorous testing, validation, and adherence to internal audit standards for all model types.
• Experience supervising a specialized audit team with expertise across various model domains (e.g., AI/ML, statistical, financial, actuarial), providing technical guidance on model methodologies and engaging in deep-dive audits of model performance, governance, and risk management.
• Advanced Analytical Skills: Exceptional ability to analyze complex model data and outputs, identify key risks across the model lifecycle (including AI-specific risks like bias and explainability), and derive actionable insights to improve overall model governance and risk management.

Responsibilities

• Accountable for timely delivery and quality execution of audit plan/reports, issue validation, driving continuous monitoring activities, and ensuring appropriate risks are covered for assigned areas of responsibility.
• Accountable for quality and providing technical engagement oversight, and approval of engagement risk assessment and audit scope.
• Develops and maintains effective working relationships with key stakeholders across the enterprise to ensure audit objectives are effectively met and contribute to the overall mission of USAA.
• Oversees the preparation of key reports and communications and may present to governance committees, senior leaders, regulatory bodies and the USAA Board of Directors.
• Provides effective challenge and approval of audit engagement scoping, planning, fieldwork and reporting.
• Provides insight in reviewing audit issues and identified root cause.
• Recognizes and communicates impact of related issues, MRIAs, MRAs and Enterprise issues on audit engagements and risk profile.
• Engages in multiple continuous monitoring and on-going risk routines.
• Prepares, reviews, and leads continuous monitoring and guides staff in advisory activities, special reviews and investigations.
• Leads the implementation and monitoring of audit process and performance standards; identifies and recommends internal audit process improvements.
• Proactively identifies potential process concerns and follows-up to resolve issues with Audit Leadership.
• Communicates effectively with key stakeholders across the enterprise and external regulators to ensure audit objectives are effectively met and contribute to the overall mission of USAA and risk-based and difficult messages are delivered timely.
• Responsible for building, directly managing and developing diverse teams with the requisite knowledge and skillsets necessary to execute the audit plan through recruitment, training, coaching, skills assessment results review, performance management and related managerial activities.
• Responsible for reviewing results of the annual risk assessment and providing input into the creation of the risk profile.
• Updates universe risk assessment information with current and applicable research, industry feedback and audit results.
• Reviews audit universe for completeness for area of responsibility.
• Responsible for the development of the annual Audit plan for assigned areas of responsibility including proper assessment and coverage of risks and emerging risks.
• Responsible for providing oversight of issue severity and impact to business processes and the control environment.
• Escalates broad and systemic themes to Audit and business leaders.
• Effectively challenges business management to adopt appropriate policies and procedures and effective controls designed to mitigate risks.
• Meets with and provides responses/requested information to regulators.

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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director