Investment Operations Analyst Lead

Investment Operations Analyst Lead

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

As a dedicated Investment Operations Analyst Lead you will be responsible for researching new securities purchased in the institutional portfolios for the Association. Study securities on the Bloomberg terminal and works with USAA Traders, Strategists, Asset Managers and Reporting Analysts and consults other market data sources to further research securities. This role is responsible for creating, defining, and maintaining securities records in the order management, accounting and data warehouse systems, as well as, monitoring post-trade compliance triggers. Partners with external organizations such as investment custodians and software vendors to help facilitate the post-trade, pre-accounting operations of USAA's institutional portfolios.

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, or Charlotte, NC. Relocation assistance is not available for this position.

What you'll do:

• Identify and manage existing and emerging risks that stem from business activities and the job role.
• Ensure risks associated with business activities are effectively identified, measured, monitored, and controlled.
• Follow written risk and compliance policies, standards and procedures for business activities.
• Leverages subject matter expertise to provide guidance and implement process improvements on valuing complex new securities and completing securities transactions data entry (sector, security type, collateral type, issuer, obligor, sponsor, guarantor).
• Validates accuracy of all corrections to reported security master data errors and ensures reviews are completed on all data error corrections across multiple reviewers and preparers.
• Responsible for diagnosis and investigation of complex system and data problems and determining root cause of errors, which may include integrated systems and data linkage. Partners with Portfolio Strategists, Traders, and Investment Accounting areas to ensure issues are resolved.
• Leads identification and corrections of complex trade data problems across different asset managers and formats. Notifies Compliance, traders and portfolio managers of any compliance violations as required by compliance/regulatory requirements.
• Leverages subject matter expertise to facilitate discussions with Asset Managers or Custodian Banks to discuss operational matters, including vendor management, scorecard reviews, and engaging vendors for problem resolution.
• Identifies approach to closing gaps that may arise from control testing, audit and QA of requests and assists with Issue management. Peer Reviews corporate actions.
• Provides advanced user support and configuration assistance to other members of the cross-functional investment management group; may independently prepare and support user access reviews for middle office.
• Leverages expertise in investment management systems to perform investment operations or middle office functions and in-depth knowledge of applications to serve as SME in system enhancement efforts and projects.
• Leads Lines of Defense testing efforts by assigning test cases, gathering test evidence, providing guidance to subordinates on more complex issues, and facilitating review with consultants and stakeholders after testing is completed. Provides IT with business requirements and validates enhancements through testing.
• Identifies opportunities and potential solutions on functional processes that adhere to compliance and regulatory requirements. Responsible for more detailed and time-consuming efforts and initiatives.
• Ensures timely execution of trade reconciliations, regulatory reporting, collateral processing and SMF reviews.
• Responsible for projects from start to completion, including coordination of project work, resourcing, and testing across the team.
• Assigns and directs work of other analysts and represents Investment Operations in the absence of the Director.

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.
• 8 years of experience in investment operations or middle office functions within the financial services industry.
• Subject matter expertise and demonstrated application of Securities laws and regulations.
• Subject matter expertise with Investment Operations Middle Office functions.
• Advanced knowledge and application of Investments Control Frameworks, including experience with control testing and audits.
• Experience leading cross-functional projects.
• Advanced experience with Microsoft Office to include Excel, Word and Outlook.

What sets you apart:

• US military experience through military service or a military spouse/domestic partner.
• Demonstrated experience acting as a senior subject matter expert or informal team lead within investment operations or middle office functions.
• Strong expertise in security master data management, including setup and maintenance of complex instruments (e.g., private credit, structured products).
• Advanced understanding of the end-to-end trade lifecycle, including trade capture, settlement and reconciliation.
• Proven ability to diagnose and resolve complex data and system issues across integrated platforms and workflows.
• Advanced familiarity with investment platforms (e.g., Aladdin, PAM).
• Experience leading or heavily contributing to cross-functional initiatives, including system enhancements, process redesign, or regulatory projects.
• Solid background in investment control frameworks, including audit support, control testing, issue remediation, and risk management practice.
• Hands-on experience partnering with custodians, vendors, and external service providers, including issue resolution and performance oversight.
• Demonstrated ability to mentor, guide, and review the work of junior team members without formal supervisory responsibility.
• Proficiency in data analysis, leveraging relational databases, to streamline processes and drive operational efficiency.

Compensation range: The salary range for this position is: $114,080 - $218,030.

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. The actual salary for this role may vary by location.

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.

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.