Principal and Business Partner – Communications, Public Affairs & Marketing

USAA • San Antonio, TX

26d • 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. 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’re building something new—and we’re looking for bold, creative, and strategic talent to help shape it. USAA’s Communications and Public Affairs team, together with Marketing, plays a critical role in advancing our top priority: delivering exceptional member service and enhancing the value of membership. Our work centers on advocating boldly for those we serve, telling our story with one voice, and driving meaningful impact for the military community and their families. As a principal-level Corporate Affairs Business Partner focused on Communications, Public Affairs, and Marketing, you will bring the full power of Corporate Affairs to life for these vital functions. You will drive alignment to USAA’s strategic priorities and, working closely with partners across Corporate Affairs, Marketing, and the broader association, craft compelling internal and external content that strengthens reputation, engages stakeholders, and moves the needle for the business. You will operate as a strategic advisor to senior leadership within Communications, Public Affairs, and Marketing, going beyond communications and getting deep into the business. You will engage directly with executive leaders and their direct reports, relying on your business acumen, persuasive style, sound judgment, and passion for the mission to fuel your success. We offer a flexible work environment that requires an individual to be in the office four days per week. This position will be based in San Antonio, TX. Relocation assistance IS 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.
• 10 years of progressive experience in corporate communications, consulting and / or specific business area of focus related developing communications strategies, leading large-scale enterprise programs and delivering results within a complex matrix environment.
• 6 years of experience presenting communications strategies and outcomes to C-level executives or board members.
• Experience collaborating with key stakeholders, influencing senior leader decisions and managing work to achieve strategic goals.
• Experience in defining strategies to empower and equip leaders to be effective in interactions and communications with all stakeholders.
• Strong business acumen in various areas to include business operations, communications industry practices and emerging trends and experience with application in a financial services and/or business operations environment.
• Experience in leveraging data and insights to evidence the impact of communications programs on business objectives.
• Experience and demonstrated results leading cross-functional, matrixed team, while also being sought after for mentorship and peer review, while helping others achieve personal and professional goals.
• Broad understanding of the impacts to an organization resulting from large transformation efforts, acquisitions, divestitures, etc. to be able to guide the communications strategy.

Nice To Haves

• Experience supporting enterprise communications, public affairs, and marketing organizations, including executive-level communications and integrated campaign initiatives.
• Experience at mid- to large-sized public relations agencies and/or management consulting experience.
• Experience working for a Fortune 500 company, demonstrating the ability to navigate complex organizational structures and deliver results at scale.
• US military experience through military service or a military spouse/domestic partner

Responsibilities

• Accountable for providing thought leadership to drive communications strategy development; applies technical subject-matter-expertise to produce innovative communications solutions for large scale, enterprise-wide programs across multiple business units.
• Oversees business and communications partner adherence to the communication governance practices and framework that drive a desired and consistent communications experience across various audiences.
• Oversees work of communications partners in the development, approval and execution of public, member, and employee communications across multiple business units; provides guidance to ensure consistent alignment with USAA brand guidelines.
• Leads communications strategy and execution, driving large, enterprise-wide programs across USAA and / or multiple business units to support enterprise business objectives. These programs include leading communications to support acquisitions, divestitures, strategic imperatives that guide the future of the enterprise.
• Leverages data and insights expertise to evidence impact of communications programs on business objectives; provides communications data and insights to key senior leaders and enterprise stakeholders; then leverages the insights to inform future communications strategy.
• Performs research and analysis of current communications trends and best practices – particularly in the areas of content, channel innovation, reputation management, driving business-based metrics, and SEO; synthesizes the information into actionable plans to drive communications excellence across the organization.
• Leads through highly complex tasks with leadership discretion – often serving as a proxy for executive leadership on key issues; serves as a mentor to peers and team members and assists in their training and development.
• Ensures risks associated with business activities are effectively identified, measured, monitored, and controlled in accordance with risk and compliance policies and procedures.

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: Principal
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees