Executive Director, Strategic Account Relationship Management

Jobtailor; Arizona; On-site; USD 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Job summary

USAA is seeking a senior vendor management leader to drive vendor relationships and strategic partnerships across financial services and IT. You will shape a cross-functional sourcing framework, manage a diverse vendor portfolio, and lead a high-performing team.

You will partner with executives to translate strategy into operational plans, analyze vendor performance, negotiate high-value contracts, and ensure risk and compliance while optimizing cost and value.

Qualifications

• 10 years of progressive relationship management, vendor management, or operations experience in financial services or IT.
• 4 years of people leadership experience building high-performing teams.
• Proven vendor relationship management program leadership and high-value contract negotiation.
• Subject Matter Expert in supply chain management, regs, and operational risk concepts.
• Ability to translate strategy between organizations (internal/third party).
• Demonstrated ability to drive results and change across levels.
• Strong relationship management and influence with senior executives.
• Expert in analytics, strategic planning, and project management.
• Excellent communication and conflict mediation skills.
• Travel may be required; visa sponsorship not provided.

Responsibilities

• Drive operational efficiency and organizational value through strategic account relationship management
• Deliver exceptional customer experience through relationship management with key strategic suppliers
• Establish and lead the 3P sourcing framework supporting the DS&A strategy
• Execute, manage, and optimize vendor portfolio to meet objectives
• Manage integration of third-party supplier relationships for operational improvements
• Collaborate with strategic account leadership to develop business plans and achieve objectives
• Expand USAA's revenue and external market share
• Consult with stakeholders on vendor strategy, portfolio, operations, and financial impact
• Analyze vendor performance data to identify trends, opportunities, risks
• Provide insights and recommendations for senior leadership's strategic decisions
• Communicate financial analysis, trends, performance, and expense-management updates to senior executives
• Analyze industry trends to deepen relationships and develop supplier solutions
• Approve invoices and ensure expenses are validated, coded, and budget-adherent
• Lead business cases and recommendations for supplier value management
• Build and lead a team through recruiting, development, retention, coaching, performance management
• Identify, measure, monitor, and control business risks per policies

Skills

Vendor Relationship Management

Strategic Account Management

Operational Risk Management

People Leadership

Financial Analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience

Tools

Contract Negotiation

Data Analysis

Project Management

Strategic Planning

Job description

• Drive operational efficiency and organizational value through strategic account relationship management
• Deliver exceptional customer experience through relationship management with key strategic suppliers
• Establish and lead the 3P sourcing framework supporting the overall DS&A strategy
• Execute, manage, and optimize the vendor portfolio to fulfill operational and financial objectives
• Manage integration of assigned third-party supplier relationships, focusing on operational improvements and transformational goals
• Collaborate with strategic account partner leadership to develop business plans and achieve shared objectives and financial goals
• Expand USAA's revenue and external market share
• Consult with stakeholders on vendor strategy, portfolio, business operations, and financial impacts
• Analyze vendor performance data to identify trends, opportunities, and risks
• Provide insights and recommendations for senior leadership's strategic decisions
• Communicate financial analysis, trends, performance, and expense-management updates to senior executives
• Analyze emerging industry and market trends to deepen relationships and develop supplier solutions
• Approve invoices and ensure expenses are accurately validated, coded, and budget-adherent
• Lead business cases and recommendations for supplier value management and partner-based solutions
• Build and lead a team through recruiting, development, retention, coaching, performance management, and managerial activities
• Identify, measure, monitor, and control business risks according to risk and compliance policies and procedures

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree; OR 4 years of relevant education and/or experience
• 10 years of progressive relationship management, vendor management, or operations experience in financial services, information technology, or related industry
• 4 years of people leadership experience in building, managing and/or developing high-performing teams required
• Proven experience successfully creating and/or leading a vendor relationship management program that includes successful negotiation of high value contracts
• Subject Matter Expert of supply chain management, relevant industry regulations, and operational risk concepts
• Ability to translate the organizational focus and strategic objectives between organizations (internal and third party)
• Demonstrated aptitude to drive results and change across multiple levels of an organization required
• Effective relationship management skills and demonstrated ability to influence decisions at the senior executive leadership levels and key account relationships
• Expert in analytics, strategic planning, and project management with demonstrated experience to effectively prioritize multiple priorities
• Exceptional communications and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively navigate and mediate conflict and foster honest dialogue
• Travel may be required
• USAA does not provide visa sponsorship; applicants must not need immigration support now or in the future

Core Competencies

Demonstrates expertise in vendor relationship management, strategic account management, and operational risk concepts, with a strong focus on driving organizational efficiency and financial objectives. Proven ability to lead high-performing teams and influence senior leadership decisions through effective communication and analytical insights.

Highest-signal resume keywords

• Vendor Relationship Management
• Strategic Account Management
• Operational Risk Management
• People Leadership
• Financial Analysis

Hard Skills

• Supply Chain Management
• Contract Negotiation
• Data Analysis
• Project Management
• Strategic Planning

Soft Skills

• Relationship Management
• Influencing Skills
• Conflict Mediation
• Communication Skills
• Team Development

Industry Keywords

• Financial Services
• Information Technology
• Operational Improvements
• Market Trends
• Risk Compliance