AVP, Application Development - USAA Investment Services ; ISCO

Position: AVP, Application Development - USAA Investment Services Company (ISCO)
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 AVP of Application Development for USAA Investment Services Company (ISCO) reports to the VP and Chief Information Officer of USAA Life Insurance Company. This position represents a compelling opportunity for a seasoned technology executive who has a successful track record of building and scaling the technology foundation of a retail investment advisory business from concept to competitive advantage. The executive in this position owns the architecture, build, and launch of integrated capabilities spanning broker-dealer operations, financial planning, and investment advice delivery.

This executive also sets the technical direction, leads a specialized team, and partners directly with business leaders to turn a growth agenda into a live, differentiated platform.

This AVP is responsible for planning, coordinating, and supervising all activities related to the design, development, and implementation of ISCO's applications development and systems analysis function. This AVP is also responsible for technology leadership including evaluation and possible adoption of various emerging technologies as needed to fulfill ISCO's business needs. This executive leads matrixed and multi-level teams to set the agenda for key ISCO development and technical activities, and manages multiple development teams supporting ISCO.

Moreover, this AVP is responsible for developing, distributing, supporting, enforcing, and integrating best practices and technology standards across ISCO, including ensuring all information technology controls, processes and procedures are followed as applicable and appropriate.

What You've Previously Done

* Translated ambitious growth targets for a retail investment advisory business into technology roadmaps that actually shipped - on time, at scale, and ahead of competitors.

* Built investment advisory technology functions from the ground up inside a regulated broker-dealer environment, including standing up teams, selecting platforms, and establishing operating models.

* Implemented modern net-new platforms that measurably improved advisor experience, client outcomes, and operational efficiency.

* Designed and delivered end-to-end investment technology ecosystems - wealth management platforms, compliance tooling, and CRM - for duly registered broker-dealers and investment advisors

* Navigated FINRA regulatory requirements as a design constraint, not an afterthought - embedding compliance into platform architecture and release processes from day one.

What You'll Do

* Ensure that the assigned application group develops processes and tools that contribute to ISCO's business objectives.

* Ensure that all application processes developed internally or by external service providers are conducted in line with corporate social responsibility, environmental and technical policies and applicable standards and legislation.

* Implement and manage application life cycle management status reporting, metrics and benchmarks.

* Provide executive thought leadership on developing and enhancing methodologies and practices for the application life cycle management in line with best practice and practical experience of continuous improvement.

* Collaborate with other leaders and/or stakeholders and develop an application development strategy that aligns with ISCO business strategy, adds value and is within budget constraints.

* Serve as financial steward for the organization and manage relationships with major vendors and service providers to ensure they cost-effectively meet ISCO's needs.

* Oversee the assessment of the technical and business fitness of the application portfolio and associated costs and risks.

* In partnership with CTO, Infrastructure and IT Security, ensure that ISCO's applications are effectively secured and that risks are mitigated and comply with legal and corporate privacy and confidentiality rules.

* Design a visionary road map for innovative solutions at the enterprise level and ensure integration with overall IT and enterprise strategic plans.

* Develop Annual Objectives and Key Results (OKRs) for ISCO, used to measure team performance.

* Ensure team's adherence to SDLC SDLC and applicable controls.

* Understand the risk posture for the activities that are conducted on the team (development and maintenance of business applications). Implement the department talent strategy…