The work

The AVP develops narratives that connect functional priorities with USAA's mission, business objectives, member value, culture and employee experience. Working with executive leaders, they translate complex priorities into stories for employees, members and external audiences, and coordinate messaging across the organisation. The work aims to build understanding, engagement and trust among employees. They proactively tell the story of how USAA’s people, technology, risk management and legal capabilities enable the business and serve members.

The AVP builds and manages a communications team, including hiring, coaching, development and performance management. They create a team culture of strategic thinking, proactive storytelling, business partnership and communications excellence, with strong process and rigour. They are also responsible for managing risks associated with business activities in line with USAA's risk and compliance policies.

The role anticipates emerging issues and reputational risks, develops executive communications strategies and advises leaders through change and sensitive moments. It calls for influence across a matrixed organisation and close partnerships with the functions it serves.

Requirements

• A bachelor's degree, or four additional years of relevant education and/or experience.
• Ten years of progressive corporate communications experience advising senior management on internal and external communications and leading major programmes.
• Six years of people leadership experience building, managing and/or developing high-performing teams.
• Experience collaborating with stakeholders, influencing decisions and managing work to achieve strategic goals; executive-level business acumen; strong written and verbal communication; and the confidence and presence to work with senior leaders.
• Innovative, creative and strategic thinking, and a demonstrated ability to build, lead and motivate a collaborative team.

Preferred qualifications

• At least 15 years across relevant communications disciplines, including advising senior executives on complex, high-profile matters.
• Experience advising enterprise functions and leading communications through transformation, change or reputationally sensitive situations.
• Experience counselling C-suite and senior functional leaders, constructively challenging their thinking, and storytelling across earned, owned, social, executive and employee channels.
• Experience building communications teams and partnerships across a complex, matrixed organisation.
• US military experience through service or as a military spouse or domestic partner.