Director, Data Science

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

As a Director of Data Science you will lead a team of Data Scientists responsible for identifying scoping and translating business problems into applied statistical machine learning simulation and optimization solutions to inform actionable business insights and drive business value through automation revenue generation and expense and risk reduction. Works with business leaders to ideate valuate and scope projects to meet business needs. Manages the teams projects and communicates progress updates to senior leadership and other business stakeholders. Responsible for the teams model inventory and ensures compliance with USAA model risk policies and regulatory expectations. Influences the future of data science at USAA by conducting research on the latest technologies and driving adoption of those technologies.

This role is remote eligible however individuals residing within a 60-mile radius of a USAA office will be expected to work on-site four days per week.

What youll do:

• Acts as advanced analytics thought leader and advisor to the business to shape strategies that drive competitiveness and differentiation.
• Influences business data and technology leaders to invest sustain and expand advanced analytical capabilities by actively participating in strategy planning and budgeting exercises.
• Leads and develops team to build and deploy various advanced analytical solutions in an agile and collaborative environment across business data and technology organizations. Enables teams success by simplifying processes across the model development lifecycle and driving automation.
• Identifies scopes and manages complex analytical projects in collaboration with business stakeholders often translating results to non-technical business executives.
• Champions and manages efforts to deliver business insights via scalable automated solutions using machine learning simulation and optimization.
• Responsible for ensuring all modeling and machine learning solutions adhere to industry standards model risk policy and regulatory expectations.
• Partners with enterprise analytical and IT teams to build USAA core capabilities and processes.
• Identifies additional resource needs ranging from IT investments 3rd party support or additional analysts.
• Builds and oversees a team of Data Scientists 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:

• Bachelors degree in mathematics computer science statistics economics finance actuarial sciences science and engineering or other similar quantitative discipline; OR 4 years of experience in statistics mathematics quantitative analytics or related experience (in addition to the minimum years of experience required) may be substituted in lieu of degree.

• 8 years in predictive modeling model governance machine learning and large data analysis. OR Advanced Degree (e.g. Masters PhD) in Mathematics Statistics Data Science Computer Science or related quantitative STEM field (Science Technology Engineering and Math) field and 6 years in predictive modeling model governance machine learning and large data analysis.
• 3 years of direct management experience.
• Strong communication skills; demonstrated ability to interpret and translate complex technical information to diverse audiences.
• Experience with various languages applications and technologies (such as SQL Python R Spark Hadoop etc.) commonly associated with delivery of Data Science solutions.
• Experience in developing and reviewing modeling solutions based on broad range of techniques e.g. linear and logistic regressions time series methods survival analysis support vector machines neural networks decision trees random forests gradient-boosting methods deep learning k-means and other clustering methods simulation methods or other advanced techniques.
• Demonstrated ability to apply best practices in modeling and machine learning techniques to solve business problems.
• Demonstrated ability to write and review complex technical documentation communicate modeling insights and technical details to business leaders technical and non-technical audiences.
• A strong track record of communicating results insights and technical solutions to Senior Executive Management (or equivalent).
• Deep technical skills consulting experience and business savvy to interface with all levels and disciplines within the organization.

What sets you apart:

• Advanced degree (Masters or Ph.D.) in a quantitative field such as Statistics Mathematics Computer Science Economics or a related discipline is highly preferred or equivalent experience demonstrating strong quantitative and analytical skills
• Over 10 years of experience in data science or analytics
• Over 5 years of experience leading and managing a team of data scientists or analysts
• Strong programming skills in languages such as Python R or Java
• Experience working with large datasets and distributed computing platforms ( Spark Snowflake)
• Excellent communication presentation organization and interpersonal skills
• Deep understanding of banking operations and payment systems
• US military experience through military service or a military spouse/domestic partner

Compensation range: The salary range for this position is: $189370 - $340860.

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 .

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.