Director, Risk Management - Operational Risk

USAA Life Insurance Company; San Antonio (TX); Hybrid; USD 170,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

USAA Life Insurance Company in the United States is seeking a Director of Risk Management - Operational Risk to lead enterprise risk programs, with a strong focus on scenario analysis and operational loss. You will oversee risk identification, measurement, monitoring, controls and reporting, while guiding a high‑performing team and collaborating with senior stakeholders to uphold risk governance.

The role supports a four‑day in‑office schedule across San Antonio, Plano, Phoenix or Charlotte;

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Risk Management, Business, Finance, or related field.
• 6 years of risk management, regulatory or operations experience.
• 2 years of large project leadership.
• Advanced risk management experience in complex financial services.

Responsibilities

• Directs staff and initiatives that support risk management programs and governance.
• Builds and manages a high performing team through recruitment and coaching.
• Oversees stress test plans, risk identification and controls for new products and channels.
• Oversees model risk documentation, performance monitoring and validation.
• Develops dashboards and reporting aligned with risk appetite and governance.
• Recommends risk policies with senior leaders to meet best practices.
• Oversees development and oversight of risk management frameworks.
• Prepares key risk reports and communicates to governance bodies and the board.

Skills

Risk management

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Data analysis

Regulatory knowledge

Executive communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Risk Management, Business, Finance, or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Why USAA?

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 are proud to support active‑duty military spouses. USAA roles may offer remote or hybrid flexibility for active‑duty military spouses consistent with applicable policy and business needs.

The Opportunity

The Director, Risk Management - Operational Risk leads and enhances enterprise risk management programs, with a strong focus on scenario analysis and operational loss programs across the organization. This role provides strategic oversight of risk identification, measurement, monitoring, controls, and reporting while delivering effective challenge to business and risk stakeholders to ensure exposures remain within acceptable levels. The Director leads and develops a high-performing team, partners across business units and control functions, and supports audits, regulatory reviews, and other risk governance activities. The ideal candidate brings strong operational risk program leadership, executive-level communication skills, and demonstrated experience influencing senior stakeholders and driving consistent risk management practices across a complex financial services organization.

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 one of the following locations: San Antonio, TX, Plano, TX, Phoenix, AZ, or, Charlotte, NC.

Relocation assistance is not available for this position.

What you'll do:

• Directs staff and initiatives that support risk management programs, to include governance support, risk oversight, risk infrastructure development, identification, quantification, and aggregation of key and emerging risks and/or operational risks and controls.
• Builds and manages a high performing team of risk professionals through recruitment, training, coaching, performance management and related managerial activities.
• Partners with key stakeholders in the business and oversees the formulation of stress test plans, identification, assessment and documentation of risks and controls, including risks associated with new or modified products, services, distribution channels, regulations and/or third‑party operations.
• Directs the oversight of model risk through model documentation review, assessment of performance monitoring, model validation, and use implementation.
• Directs teams in the development of risk dashboards and reporting formats in alignment with risk appetite/profile and leads teams in the identification, quantification and aggregation of risks using analytical methodologies.
• Reviews, communicates and recommends the development of risk policies and procedures in partnership with senior leaders to ensure appropriateness and adequacy versus industry best practices and regulatory requirements.
• Accountable for the development, implementation and oversight of risk management frameworks.
• Oversees the preparation of key reports and communications and may present to governance committees, senior leaders, regulatory bodies and the USAA Board of Directors.

What you have:

• Bachelor's degree in Risk Management, Business, Finance, or related field; OR 4 years of relevant education and/or experience.

Experiences that will support your success:

• 6 years of risk management, regulatory or operations experience in a relevant functional area to include banking, insurance, financial services, audit, project management, public accounting or other related operational area; OR advanced degree/designation in Risk Management, Business, Finance, or other discipline relevant to risk management and 4 years of work experience in a discipline relevant to risk management; OR PhD in Risk Management, Business, Finance, or other discipline relevant to risk management and 2 years of work experience in a discipline relevant to risk management.
• 2 years of large project leadership or direct leadership
• Advanced risk management experience in a complex institution and/or highly matrixed environment related to banking, insurance and/or financial services.
• Demonstrated experience in conflict resolution management and ability to effectively challenge at all levels of management and influence business outcomes.
• Experience leading and directing work with both internal and external partners in a highly collaborative environment.
• Demonstrated critical thinking and knowledge of data analysis tools and techniques and decision-making abilities, to include demonstrated ability to effectively make data-driven decisions.
• Proactively identifies potential concerns and follows-up to resolve issues.
• Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office pr