Corporate Communications Principal

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.

The Opportunity

We’re building something new—and we’re looking for bold, creative, and strategic talent to help shape it.

USAA’s Corporate Affairs team is growing as part of an exciting transformation to strengthen how we engage with our members and each other in service of our mission.

Whether you’re a strategic business partner or a creative storyteller, join us to forge smarter connections, deeper partnerships, and stronger outcomes.

Together, we’re enhancing how we serve the military community and their families—making every interaction more meaningful.

As a dedicated Corporate Affairs Principal, you will be operating as a strategic communication advisor, specifically focused on external communications, directly to Executive Council (EC), members and USAA business lines. As a strategic communications professional you will lead integrated public relations campaigns and large-scale enterprise programs. Leverages deep subject matter expertise to lead proactive, reactive and strategic programs consulting to drive and shape business initiatives as well as leadership communications. Educates and delivers enterprise, business and external communications insights to drive business objectives.

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 or Charlotte, NC. Relocation assistance IS available for this position.

What you'll do:

• Accountable for providing thought leadership to drive communications strategy development; applies technical subject-matter-expertise to produce innovative communications solutions for large scale, enterprise-wide programs across multiple business units.
• Oversees business and communications partner adherence to the communication governance practices and framework that drive a desired and consistent communications experience across various audiences.
• Guides work of communications partners in the development, approval and execution of public, member, and employee communications across multiple business units; provides guidance to ensure consistent alignment with USAA brand guidelines.
• Leads communications strategy and execution, driving large, enterprise-wide programs across USAA and / or multiple business units to support enterprise business objectives. These programs include leading communications to support acquisitions, divestitures, strategic imperatives that guide the future of the enterprise.
• Leverages data and insights expertise to evidence impact of communications campaigns and programs on business objectives; provides communications data and insights to key senior leaders and enterprise stakeholders; then leverages the insights to inform future communications strategy.
• Performs research and analysis of current communications trends and best practices – particularly in the areas of content, channel innovation, reputation management, driving business-based metrics, and SEO; synthesizes the information into actionable plans to drive communications excellence across the organization.
• Leads through highly complex tasks with leadership discretion – often serving as a proxy for executive leadership on key issues; serves as a mentor to peers and team members and assists in their training and development.
• 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; OR 4 years of related experience (in addition to the minimum years of experience required) may be substituted in lieu of degree.
• 10 years of progressive experience in corporate communications, consulting and / or specific business area of focus related developing communications strategies, leading large-scale enterprise programs and delivering results within a complex matrix environment.
• 6 years of experience presenting communications strategies and outcomes to C-level executives or board members.
• Experience collaborating with key stakeholders, influencing senior leader decisions and managing work to achieve strategic goals. Experience in defining strategies to empower and equip leaders to be effective in inte