AVP, Attorney

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

Serves as chief counsel to senior management on legal issues regarding business products, services, and processes to ensure they are executed in accordance with business objectives, and legal and regulatory requirements. Responsible for leading a team of attorneys and legal support staff who provide and coordinate the provision of legal advice, counsel and services to operating areas to ensure the highest level of service is provided for clients and internal customers. Identifies and implements procedures within practice areas to enhance productivity and assures ongoing compliance, ensures legal risks are effectively identified, measured, monitored and controlled, optimal resource utilization and appropriate professional staff development for all attorneys and support staff.

We offer a flexible work environment that requires an individual to be in the office 4 days per week. This position is based in San Antonio, TX.

What you’ll do:

• Provides counsel in their area of specialty as may be required to assist the Chief Legal Officer and senior management in executing on their legal responsibilities.
• Provides insight on the design and leads the execution of legal strategy, considering USAA’s business strategy as well as legal and regulatory requirements.
• Advises Line of Business and Enterprise leaders on all aspects of their respective practice area(s) as well as Enterprise initiatives, regulatory, management and board governance, financial and holding company matters (as appropriate).
• Ensures timely, accurate and cost-effective legal advice is provided to senior management regarding legal and regulatory matters.
• Engages in continuous planning to review and implement efficient processes and resources to support client needs, including building effective business cases to support resource needs and managing the hiring process.
• May represent the company before regulatory agencies, including managing agency requests for information and regulatory examinations.
• Leads broad, enterprise and functional area projects.
• Leads, builds and oversees a high performing team of lawyers and legal professionals through ongoing execution of recruiting, development, retention, coaching and support, performance management, and managerial activities.
• 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 from an accredited school.
• Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school. 
• Licensed and in good standing to practice law in one state or a territory of the USA.
• 10 years of experience practicing law.
• 10 years of progressive related experience developing legal strategies, managing major initiatives and delivering results within a complex matrix environment.
• 6 years of people leadership experience in building, managing and/or developing high-performing teams.
• Experience collaborating with key resources and stakeholders, providing legal counsel to effectively influence decisions and managing legal advice and guidance efforts to achieve strategic goals.
• Executive-level business acumen in the areas of business operations, industry practices and emerging trends for in-house legal counsel

What sets you apart:

• Leadership and Management of Legal Teams: Demonstrated experience in managing a regional counsel team within an insurance organization, specifically providing legal support and guidance across key functions such as pricing, underwriting, claims, and regulatory compliance. Alternatively, possessing direct responsibility for legal oversight in a significant number of states for a property and casualty insurer, including managing legal risks and ensuring adherence to state-specific regulations. This includes experience in talent management, performance evaluation, and workload distribution within the legal team.
• Collaboration and Communication Skills: Proven ability to collaborate effectively with senior executives and cross-functional partners. This involves working closely with Legal teams, business partner teams, and other stakeholders to achieve common goals. The candidate should demonstrate strong communication skills, including the ability to articulate complex legal issues to non-legal audiences and build consensus among diverse groups.
• Change Management and Team Development: Experience in managing teams through periods of change, including organizational restructuring, regulatory updates, and evolving business priorities. A key aspect of this experience is the ability to develop attorneys through coaching, mentoring, and targeted training programs, with a focus on succession planning to ensure continuity and growth within the legal team.
• Property & Casualty Business Acumen: A deep understanding of the property and casualty insurance business model, including key profit and loss drivers at the state level. This encompasses knowledge of underwriting principles, risk management, claims handling, and the factors that influence profitability in different geographic markets. The candidate should be able to apply this business acumen to provide strategic legal advice that supports the company's financial objectives.
• Insurance Regulatory Expertise: Thorough working knowledge of the insurance regulatory environment, including state and federal laws, regulations, and compliance requirements. The candidate should understand how these regulations affect strategic and business decision-making within a property and casualty insurer and be able to provide proactive guidance to ensure compliance and mitigate regulatory risks.

What we offer:

Compensation:

The salary range for this position is: $224,250 - $403,650.

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.

USAA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.