Director, Innovation

$143,320 - $257,970/Yr

United Services Automobile Association (USAA) - Phoenix, AZ

Full-time - Director

Phoenix, AZ

Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations

About the position

As a Director of Innovation at USAA, you will support the organization's strategic objectives by researching, testing, and deploying innovations related to strategically defined focus areas. You will be accountable for managing the end-to-end innovation process, determining the feasibility and viability of innovation concepts, and overseeing the project progress from idea to implementation and post-implementation evaluation. This role requires you to lead a team in providing innovative solutions for USAA's business partners and members, ensuring alignment with enterprise strategy and managing a project portfolio budget.

Responsibilities

• Strategically lead team to provide innovative solutions for problems and needs assessment of USAA business partners and members.
• Govern and manage the full project lifecycle within a prioritized portfolio, ensuring alignment to LOB and enterprise strategy.
• Prioritize innovation ideas and assign projects to team members based on scope and complexity.
• Manage a project portfolio budget and allocate financial resources to innovation initiatives based on cost analysis findings.
• Oversee contract negotiations and supplier selection decisions.
• Build alliances and relationships with key stakeholders across the enterprise and pursue government contracts for additional funding when necessary.
• Provide guidance, technical training, and professional development opportunities to the team.
• Manage innovation platforms, including KPI development and management, roadmap management, and market development.
• Build and manage a high performing team of analytical and business professionals through recruiting, training, retention, coaching, and performance management.
• Ensure risks associated with business activities are effectively identified, measured, monitored, and controlled.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree; OR 4 years of related experience may be substituted in lieu of degree.
• 8 years of experience managing releases or executing the launch of effective innovation solutions or strategic initiatives, including 2 years in Innovation, R&D, new product development, or startup.
• 3 years of direct team lead or management experience.
• Extensive experience in business case development, project coordination, and working with enterprise teams to deliver project results.
• Extensive experience with business research methods, process engineering methods, and change management initiatives.
• Experience gathering and assessing data for KPI management and completing Cost/Benefit Analyses.
• Broad company-specific and industry-specific knowledge.
• Demonstrated ability to build effective cross-functional relationships with employees of various levels throughout the organization.
• Experience effectively working with both internal and external partners on business development opportunities and teaming agreements.
• Extensive knowledge of the ideation and product development life cycle.
• Knowledge and application of risk and compliance framework with experience integrating risk mitigation strategies.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience managing complex projects and prioritizing resources against a portfolio of innovation concepts or new business initiatives.
• Highly collaborative with proven ability to influence executive level buy-in and build effective enterprise and vendor relationships/partnerships.
• Familiarity with P&C Innovation process, including 2 years of P&C experience.
• US military experience through military service or a military spouse/domestic partner.

Benefits

• 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
• Various wellness programs
• Career path planning and continuing education assistance.