Lead Analyst, Credit Risk Strategy

Overview

This role involves leading credit risk strategy development and monitoring for bank credit portfolios, including card, consumer, and deposits. You will apply quantitative methods to identify credit risk, develop and deliver credit strategies, and track performance against risk appetite while owning operational and compliance risk associated with credit strategies.

The position is remote eligible in the continental U.S., with occasional business travel. Individuals residing within a 60-mile radius of a USAA office are expected to work on-site four days per week.

Responsibilities

• Leverage and share industry leading practices and analytical skills to identify risks and opportunities in the managed portfolio and translate results into credit risk strategy solutions.
• Use banking product knowledge and critical thinking to lead analyses, identify root causes, and provide clear, concise recommendations that influence senior decision makers.
• Lead and partner to deliver bank credit risk strategies across lines of defense by developing and improving complex analytical frameworks, analyzing data and processes, and clearly communicating insights and recommendations to stakeholders and senior leadership.
• Analyze internal and external scores/data to support the identification of first party fraud.
• Apply industry knowledge and competitive benchmarking to lead, inform, and influence credit strategy development.
• Proactively develop advanced quantitative analyses using internal and external data to bring structure and clarity to ambiguous and challenging problems.
• Develop, manage, and present comprehensive risk and financial reporting for senior management and committee oversight, and escalate the quality and direction of credit performance to appropriate levels of management.
• Lead the design and execution of complex financial risk sensitivity analysis.
• Create and manage credit strategy infrastructure and ensure credit strategies are implemented as intended.
• Apply expert programming and analytical techniques to analyze credit data.
• Provide thought leadership, coaching, and mentoring to team members regarding analytics and risk management.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to guide and facilitate teams in developing and implementing key initiatives.
• Lead and coach team members to develop analytically derived insights that translate into strategic plans with significant impact to business results.
• Coach and mentor other analysts and serve as a thought leader within the analyst community.
• May have model ownership responsibilities, including driving accountability for quantitative model requirement definition and/or implementation of advanced credit and/or financial modeling infrastructure.
• Ensure risks associated with business activities are effectively identified, measured, monitored, and controlled in accordance with risk and compliance policies and procedures.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree; OR 4 years of relevant education and/or experience.
• 8 years of experience in an analytical field, or experience leading analytical projects, advanced analytics, and risk assessments, or leading analysis and interpretation of complex bank credit risk data aligned to team strategy; OR an advanced degree in Business Management, Finance, Economics, Engineering, or a Mathematical discipline and 6 years of experience in an analytical field leading analytical projects, advanced analytics, and risk assessments, or leading analysis and interpretation of complex bank credit risk data aligned to team strategy.
• Strong understanding of banking regulations and risk and/or compliance.
• Advanced presentation and communication skills.
• Advanced business acumen and attention to detail and accuracy.
• Advanced research and investigation skills and demonstrated good judgment in problem solving.
• Experience influencing cross-functional stakeholders to take action by communicating complex analytical insights and risk-mitigating solutions.
• Experience developing and improving a variety of risk-related reporting.
• Experience coaching and guiding peers on analytics and/or risk management.
• Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office products, particularly Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
• Advanced knowledge of data analysis tools, including developing analysis queries and procedures in SQL, SAS, or other business intelligence and analysis software applications for data segmentation, aggregation, and statistics (e.g., SPS or Visual Basic).
• Knowledge of federal laws, rules, regulations, and applicable guidance, including:
  • FCRA
  • Reg B
  • UDAAP/UDAP
  • OCC Heightened Standards
  • OCC CREDIT RISK GUIDANCE

Preferred Qualifications

• Proven ability to develop and communicate data-driven credit strategy recommendations and complex analytical findings to senior leadership and stakeholders including Credit Risk, Pricing, Product, Legal, Compliance, Underwriting, and Operations.
• Extensive experience translating internal and external industry data into actionable credit and business insights and delivering complex analyses and strategic recommendations that support informed decision-making.
• Demonstrated expertise designing and executing credit strategy experiments (e.g., A/B testing, champion/challenger frameworks, and other causal evaluation methodologies), evaluating outcomes, and continuously optimizing the risk-reward framework to improve portfolio performance.
• 6+ years of experience using SAS, SQL, and other analytical programming languages such as Python to extract, transform, and analyze large-scale datasets—integrating data across multiple sources, managing varying granularity, resolving data quality issues, and performing advanced joins to create robust analytical datasets.
• Proven experience using AI and LLM-based tools (e.g., GPT-powered copilots and similar technologies) to enhance coding productivity, accelerate analytical workflows, and develop intelligent agents and automation solutions that support risk assessment and strategic decision-making.
• Strong track record of identifying and addressing emerging or ambiguous risk challenges with limited historical precedent, including evaluating credit impacts driven by macroeconomic conditions and policy developments such as inflationary pressures, changes in student loan repayment and collection programs, and shifts in federal government employment.
• Demonstrated leadership managing portfolio-level credit performance, proactively identifying risk and growth opportunities, and influencing strategy through partnership with senior leaders to achieve sustainable business and risk outcomes.
• Proven experience owning end-to-end credit strategy development, implementation, monitoring, and performance optimization across key customer segments and lending products.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, mentor, and develop junior analysts while driving analytical excellence, fostering collaboration, and elevating team capabilities across complex credit initiatives.
• Demonstrated ability to independently lead multiple high-priority initiatives simultaneously, navigate ambiguity, and deliver high-quality recommendations with limited direction.

Compensation & Benefits

• Compensation range: $164,780 - $314,960 (salary range for this position).
• Pay is set within the salary range based on experience and market data; the actual salary may vary by location.
• Employees may be eligible for pay incentives based on overall corporate and individual performance and at the discretion of the Board of Directors.
• Benefits may include comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans; 401(k); pension; life insurance; parental benefits; adoption assistance; paid time off with paid holidays plus 16 paid volunteer hours; and various wellness programs.
• Career path planning and continuing education support.

Location

Remote eligible in the continental U.S., with occasional business travel.
Individuals residing within a 60-mile radius of a USAA office are expected to work on-site four days per week.

Additional Information

• This posting is accepted on an ongoing basis and will remain open until the position is filled; interested candidates are encouraged to apply the same day they view the posting.
• USAA does not provide visa sponsorship for this role. Do not apply if at any time (now or in the future) you will need immigration support (i.e., H-1B, TN, STEM OPT Training Plans, etc.).
• Equal Opportunity Employer: All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.