Investment Operations Analyst Lead

USAA•San Antonio, TX

1d•$114,080 - $218,030•Hybrid

About The Position

As a dedicated Investment Operations Analyst Lead, you will be responsible for researching new securities purchased in the institutional portfolios for the Association. You will study securities on the Bloomberg terminal and work with USAA Traders, Strategists, Asset Managers, and Reporting Analysts, consulting other market data sources to further research securities. This role is responsible for creating, defining, and maintaining securities records in the order management, accounting, and data warehouse systems, as well as monitoring post-trade compliance triggers. You will partner with external organizations such as investment custodians and software vendors to help facilitate the post-trade, pre-accounting operations of USAA's institutional portfolios. We offer a flexible work environment that requires an individual to be in the office 4 days per week. This position can be based in San Antonio, TX, or Charlotte, NC. Relocation assistance is not available for this position.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree; 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 experience in investment operations or middle office functions within the financial services industry.
Subject matter expertise and demonstrated application of Securities laws and regulations.
Subject matter expertise with Investment Operations Middle Office functions.
Advanced knowledge and application of Investments Control Frameworks, including experience with control testing and audits.
Experience leading cross-functional projects.
Advanced experience with Microsoft Office to include Excel, Word and Outlook.

Nice To Haves

US military experience through military service or a military spouse/domestic partner.
Demonstrated experience acting as a senior subject matter expert or informal team lead within investment operations or middle office functions.
Strong expertise in security master data management, including setup and maintenance of complex instruments (e.g., private credit, structured products).
Advanced understanding of the end-to-end trade lifecycle, including trade capture, settlement and reconciliation.
Proven ability to diagnose and resolve complex data and system issues across integrated platforms and workflows.
Advanced familiarity with investment platforms (e.g., Aladdin, PAM).
Experience leading or heavily contributing to cross-functional initiatives, including system enhancements, process redesign, or regulatory projects.
Solid background in investment control frameworks, including audit support, control testing, issue remediation, and risk management practice.
Hands-on experience partnering with custodians, vendors, and external service providers, including issue resolution and performance oversight.
Demonstrated ability to mentor, guide, and review the work of junior team members without formal supervisory responsibility.
Proficiency in data analysis, leveraging relational databases, to streamline processes and drive operational efficiency.

Responsibilities

Identify and manage existing and emerging risks that stem from business activities and the job role. Ensure risks associated with business activities are effectively identified, measured, monitored, and controlled. Follow written risk and compliance policies, standards, and procedures for business activities.
Leverage subject matter expertise to provide guidance and implement process improvements on valuing complex new securities and completing securities transactions data entry (sector, security type, collateral type, issuer, obligor, sponsor, guarantor).
Validate accuracy of all corrections to reported security master data errors and ensure reviews are completed on all data error corrections across multiple reviewers and preparers.
Diagnose and investigate complex system and data problems and determine the root cause of errors, which may include integrated systems and data linkage. Partner with Portfolio Strategists, Traders, and Investment Accounting areas to ensure issues are resolved.
Lead identification and corrections of complex trade data problems across different asset managers and formats.
Notify Compliance, traders, and portfolio managers of any compliance violations as required by compliance/regulatory requirements.
Leverage subject matter expertise to facilitate discussions with Asset Managers or Custodian Banks to discuss operational matters, including vendor management, scorecard reviews, and engaging vendors for problem resolution.
Identify approaches to closing gaps that may arise from control testing, audit, and QA of requests and assist with Issue management.
Peer review corporate actions.
Provide advanced user support and configuration assistance to other members of the cross-functional investment management group; may independently prepare and support user access reviews for middle office.
Leverage expertise in investment management systems to perform investment operations or middle office functions and in-depth knowledge of applications to serve as SME in system enhancement efforts and projects.
Lead Lines of Defense testing efforts by assigning test cases, gathering test evidence, providing guidance to subordinates on more complex issues, and facilitating review with consultants and stakeholders after testing is completed.
Provide IT with business requirements and validate enhancements through testing.
Identify opportunities and potential solutions on functional processes that adhere to compliance and regulatory requirements.
Responsible for more detailed and time-consuming efforts and initiatives.
Ensure timely execution of trade reconciliations, regulatory reporting, collateral processing, and SMF reviews.
Responsible for projects from start to completion, including coordination of project work, resourcing, and testing across the team.
Assign and direct work of other analysts and represent Investment Operations in the absence of the Director.