Lead Communications Director

usaa; United States; Hybrid; USD 130,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Job summary

USAA in San Antonio, TX seeks a Lead Communications Director to translate our mission into compelling narratives for employees and external audiences. You will uncover human stories behind USAA's work and amplify them through integrated campaigns that strengthen the workforce's connection to the mission.

The role requires deep communications expertise and a passion for authentic storytelling within the financial services space.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Journalism, Marketing, or related field or 4 years of relevant education/experience.
• 8+ years of progressively responsible internal/external communications experience in financial services or similar.
• Strong writing/editing skills and ability to translate objectives into messaging.
• Expertise in modern communications practices and trends; capable of strategic enterprise communications.

Responsibilities

• Provide counsel to senior leaders to develop complex communication strategies.
• Prioritize projects that support employee, member, and public initiatives and align with enterprise plans.
• Create messaging and channels across print, web, email, video, and social media.
• Develop and execute communication plans to protect and enhance USAA's reputation.
• Collaborate with Marketing & Communications teams and enterprise partners to deliver collateral.
• Lead crisis, regulatory, and public affairs communications as needed.
• Mentor junior team members and manage risk in communications activities.

Skills

Internal communications

Media relations

Crisis communications

Writing & editing

Education

Bachelor's degree in Communications

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

As a dedicated Lead Communications Director , you will translate the organization's culture and mission into compelling narratives that reach employees and external audiences. The position calls for someone who can uncover the human stories behind USAA's work and amplify them through integrated campaigns to strengthen the workforce's connection to the mission and build the company's reputation. Candidates should bring deep communications expertise, a passion for authentic, impactful storytelling and a genuine understanding of the military community that USAA serves.

We offer a flexible work environment that requires an individual to be in the office 4 days per week.

This position will be based in the San Antonio, TX office location.

Relocation assistance is available for this position.

What you'll do:

• Provides regular counsel and insight to senior management, company leaders, subject-matter experts, and unit staff to develop highly complex effective communication strategies and tactics in support of enterprise strategic initiatives.
• Prioritizes highly complex communication projects and ensures they support enterprise plans for employee, member, and public initiatives. Serves as a key influencer and integrator of strategic objectives across the enterprise.
• Creates strategies that employ communications tactics such as press outreach, online advocacy, social networking internal and external social channels, leadership, and other internal and external communication channels, and , publications. Measures the effectiveness of communications strategies to ensure objectives are met.
• Develops and implements highly complex communications plans in support of business objectives and collaborates with colleagues to support positive business outcomes, protect and enhance USAA's reputation, and engage the company's workforce.
• Develops, manages and executes effective messaging, collateral, processes and strategies in support of business initiatives; craft key messaging for use with federal and local regulators .
• Partners with various teams within the Marketing & Communications Organization (e.g.Social Business, Content Strategy & Development) and with key enterprise partners in the development of collateral to be used across all mediums, including print, web, email, video, and social media to help deliver the messages on the identified channels.
• Maintains a command of USAA strategies and possesses in-depth knowledge of financial services industry issues and trends, and actively seeking to link those issues to ongoing or emerging employee, member and/or public communications opportunities.
• In support of public affairs, leads and/or partners in the development and implementation of all communications to include crisis management, legislative, regulatory and litigation communications. Manages message development and builds relationships with third-party groups.
• Develops and manages grassroots communications with influential groups. Develops relationships with the news media to leverage USAA's reputation.
• In support of social media, partners with the Social Business team to plans, directs, and executes USAA's social media strategy to protect, sustain, and enhance USAA's reputation.
• Develops and mentors junior team members.
• Ensures risks associated with business activities are effectively identified, measured, monitored, and controlled in accordance with risk and compliance policies and procedures.

What you have:

• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Journalism, Marketing, or related degree field; OR 4 years of relevant education and/or experience.
• 8 or more years of progressively responsible experience in internal and/or external communications (including employee communications), preferably within the financial services industry to include media relations experience working with media outlets at national, regional or local levels.
• Subject Matter Expert writing and editing skills and excellent verbal communication skills.
• Subject-matter-expert knowledge of the function/discipline and demonstrated application of knowledge, skills and abilities towards work products required.
• Subject-matter-expert level in communication industry practices and emerging trends required.
• Experience in translating business objectives into integrated communication strategies and tactics th