The OpportunityThe Executive Director, Agentic Core IT Processes leads the transformation and modernization of USAA's core IT processes through the adoption of Agentic AI, intelligent automation, and modern software engineering practices. This leader is responsible for defining and executing the strategy, governance, and operating model for AI agents across the end-to-end Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC), including planning, development, testing, deployment, operations, and compliance. Partnering closely with Engineering, Infrastructure, Information Security, Architecture, Risk, and business leaders, the Director drives enterprise initiatives that improve delivery speed, quality, operational efficiency, and risk management while establishing the controls, metrics, and governance frameworks required to scale AI-enabled capabilities securely and compliantly across the organization.
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
What you'll do:- Performs workload management and prioritization duties in support of operations for the functional area assigned.
- Applies subject-matter-expert functional knowledge to lead subordinate workers in producing work deliverables in support of departmental initiatives.
- Develops functional policies, procedures and guidelines.
- Identifies opportunities and facilitates major improvements to processes and systems.
- Ensures that the assigned application group develops processes and tools that contribute to the company business objectives.
- Ensures 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.
- Oversees the assessment of the technical and business fitness of the application portfolio and their associated costs and risks In partnership with CTO, Infrastructure and IT Security, ensures that the organization's applications are effectively secured and that risks are mitigated and comply with legal and corporate privacy and confidentiality rules.
- Establishes management routines to ensure appropriate oversight of the organization's software development and maintenance activities.
- Serves as financial steward for the organization and manages relationships with major vendors and service providers to ensure they cost-effectively meet the needs of the organization.
- Evaluates and selects third party vendors to provide value added services. Facilitates the contracting process through the Third-Party Risk Management (TPRM) enterprise process.
- Responsible for contract company/service performance providing timely feedback to ensure the best value for USAA.
- Collaborates with CTO to ensure that solutions are consistent with technology standards.
- Works across IT and business partners to reduce technical debt.
- Collaborates with other leaders and/or stakeholders and develop an application development strategy that aligns with business strategy, adds value and is within budget constraints.
- Responsible for team's adherence to SDLC SDLC and applicable controls.
- Works to ensure teams have appropriate, development plans consistent with domain of expertise.
- Mentors across the technical community.
- Provides oversight to the engagement with the business DPO and ensures deliverables adhere to Agile practices/methodologies.
- 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 Computer Science, Information Systems, or related field; OR 4 years of relevant education and/or experience.
- 10 years of experience of general IT management competencies.
- 4 years of people leadership experience in building, managing and/or developing high-performing teams required.
- Strong technical background of web-based application architecture, system and database architecture, security application integration and object-oriented languages in a large enterprise environment.
- Extensive experience in all stages of the software development life cycle: requirements gathering, design, development, testing, and implementation.
- Demonstrated ability to communicate technical information to a non-technical audience.
- Experience collaborating with key resources and stakeholders, influencing decisions and managing work to achieve strategic goals required.
- Demonstrated experience in vendor contract management and management of distributed development teams and resources.
- Demonstrated financial acumen involving budgets, forecasting, and executing on the budgets for applicable technology support function.
- Understanding of relevant industry frameworks, i.e.COBIT, ITIL, SAFe, etc.
- Understanding of Legislative and Regulatory Compliance Requirements.
- Experience overseeing the technology life cycle from requirements analysis, feasibility estimates, design, code, documentation, testing, implementation, and support.
- Technical knowledge and understanding of technical domains that reside within Infrastructure Services, Security, Data or Application Development.
- Experience conducting cost benefit analyses and leveraging results to drive technology support solutions.
- Demonstrated thought leadership in embedding intuitive story telling of technology support functions including concise presentation of complex technical details.
- Experience and ability to drive a culture of quality and personal accountability through technology support teams.
What sets you apart:- 10+ years of experience leading software engineering, software delivery, DevSecOps, platform engineering, or SDLC transformation functions.
- 5+ years of leadership experience managing technology organizations and enterprise-scale transformation initiatives.
- Deep end-to-end understanding of the software development lifecycle, including requirements management, architecture, design, development, testing, release management, deployment, operations, and continuous improvement.
- Demonstrated experience implementing modern software delivery practices including Agile, DevSecOps, CI/CD, platform engineering, software quality engineering, and engineering automation.
- Hands-on experience utilizing AI-assisted development capabilities, engineering copilots, autonomous workflows, agentic AI platforms, or intelligent automation solutions within the software development lifecycle.
- Experience defining, governing, and operationalizing AI Agents in enterprise environments, including agent lifecycle management, security controls, monitoring, auditability, and risk management.
- Experience developing governance frameworks and operating models for AI-enabled business or technology capabilities.
- Demonstrated ability to lead large-scale technology modernization initiatives involving organizational change, process redesign, and technology transformation.
- Experience integrating software delivery, developer productivity, security, testing, and operational tooling into end-to-end engineering platforms.
- Knowledge of AI risk management frameworks, Responsible AI principles, model governance, and applicable regulatory requirements.
- Experience establishing policy-as-code, automated controls, engineering guardrails, and compliance automation within software delivery pipelines.
- Demonstrated ability to communicate complex technical, operational, and AI-related concepts to senior executives, regulators, auditors, and technical teams.
- Experience managing vendor partnerships and evaluating emerging AI technologies and platforms.
- Working knowledge of industry frameworks including NIST AI RMF, NIST SSDF, CMMI, ITIL, COBIT, SAFe, and DevSecOps best practices.
- US military experience through military service or a military spouse/domestic partner.
Compensation range:The salary range for this position is: $195,230 - $351,410.
USAA does not provide visa sponsorship for this role. Please do not apply for this role if at any time (now or in the future) you will need immigration support (i.e., H-1B, TN, STEM OPT Training Plans, etc.).Compensation: USAA has an effective process for assessing market data and establishing ranges to ensure we remain competitive. You are paid within the salary range based on your experience and market data of the position.
Employees may be eligible for pay incentives based on overall corporate and individual performance and at the discretion of the USAA Board of Directors.
The above description reflects the details considered necessary to describe the principal functions of the job and should not be construed as a detailed description of all the work requirements that may be performed in the job.
Long Term Incentive Plan: Cash payment for Executive level roles only, representing a cash payment which is both time and performance based.
Benefits: At USAA our employees enjoy best-in-class benefits to support their physical, financial, and emotional wellness. These benefits include comprehensive medical, dental and vision plans, 401(k), pension, life insurance, parental benefits, adoption assistance, paid time off program with paid holidays plus 16 paid volunteer hours, and various wellness programs. Additionally, our career path planning and continuing education assists employees with their professional goals.
For more details on our outstanding benefits, visit our benefits page on USAAjobs.com.
Applications for this position are accepted on an ongoing basis, this posting will remain open until the position is filled. Thus, interested candidates are encouraged to apply the same day they view this posting.
