Lead Communications Director

• Provide counsel and insight to senior management, company leaders, subject-matter experts, and unit staff
• Develop complex communication strategies and tactics supporting enterprise strategic initiatives
• Prioritize communication projects supporting employee, member, and public initiatives
• Serve as a key influencer and integrator of strategic objectives across the enterprise
• Create communications strategies using press outreach, online advocacy, internal and external social channels, leadership communications, publications, and other channels
• Measure communications strategy effectiveness
• Develop, manage, and execute communications plans supporting business objectives
• Collaborate with colleagues to support positive business outcomes, protect and enhance USAA's reputation, and engage the workforce
• Develop and manage messaging, collateral, processes, and strategies for business initiatives
• Craft key messaging for federal and local regulators
• Partner with Marketing & Communications teams and enterprise partners to develop collateral for print, web, email, video, and social media
• Maintain knowledge of USAA strategies and financial services industry issues and trends
• Lead or partner on crisis management, legislative, regulatory, and litigation communications
• Manage message development and build relationships with third-party groups
• Develop and manage grassroots communications with influential groups
• Develop relationships with news media to leverage USAA's reputation
• Partner with the Social Business team to plan, direct, and execute USAA's social media strategy
• Develop and mentor junior team members
• Ensure risks associated with business activities are identified, measured, monitored, and controlled according to risk and compliance policies and procedures

• 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 experience within the financial services industry
• Media relations experience working with media outlets at national, regional or local levels
• Subject Matter Expert writing and editing skills
• Excellent verbal communication skills
• Subject-matter-expert knowledge of the function/discipline and demonstrated application of knowledge, skills and abilities towards work products
• Subject-matter-expert level in communication industry practices and emerging trends
• Experience translating business objectives into integrated communication strategies and tactics that drive business performance
• Project management and collaboration experience, including managing cross-functional projects from inception to completion
• Genuine understanding of and familiarity with the military community
• Demonstrated media relations experience and success creating and executing impactful, measurable social media campaigns
• Prior experience in culture communications, brand ambassador programs, employee experience, or as a Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) officer is advantageous
• US military experience through military service or as a military spouse/domestic partner
• Must not require immigration support or visa sponsorship now or in the future

Demonstrates expertise in developing and executing integrated communication strategies that align with business objectives, while effectively managing media relations and crisis communications. Possesses strong project management skills and a deep understanding of the financial services industry and military community.

• Integrated Communication Strategies
• Media Relations Experience
• Project Management
• Crisis Management
• Social Media Campaigns

• Communication Strategy Development
• Writing and Editing
• Message Development
• Collaboration
• Crisis Communications
• Grassroots Communications
• Regulatory Communications
• Employee Communications
• Public Relations
• Social Media Strategy

• Verbal Communication
• Influencing
• Mentoring
• Collaboration
• Relationship Building

• Financial Services
• Military Community
• Brand Ambassador Programs
• Culture Communications
• Legislative Communications

• Social Media Platforms
• Email Marketing
• Publications
• Online Advocacy Tools
• Video Production