People Scientist Lead - People Analytics
USAA · San Antonio Home Office I · $143,320–$273,930 (stated in the posting)
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.
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
This People Scientist Lead role sits within People Analytics in the HR Operations department of Human Resources and serves as the team's research scientist, bringing I/O psychology expertise in research design, causal inference, linkage research, and psychometrics to answer the organization's most important questions about its people. Apply advanced analytical and employee research methodologies to address complex, cross-functional workforce and employee experience challenges. Leads the design and execution of large-scale analytics initiatives, uncovering systemic patterns, root causes, and predictive insights. Translates broad or evolving business challenges into structured analytical frameworks. Delivers executive-ready insights and establishes standards that elevate the quality, rigor, and impact of people analytics.
- Multivariate statistics: multiple and logistic regression, factor analysis, cluster and latent class analysis, path analysis, structural equation modeling (SEM).
- Multilevel modeling: hierarchical linear and mixed-effects models for nested data (employees within teams, leaders, and locations).
- Psychometrics: classical test theory, reliability, exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, measurement invariance, item response theory, and scale validation.
- Causal inference: design and analysis methods for observational data and field experiments.
- Programming: expert in R or Python for statistical modeling plus SQL for data preparation.
- Mixed methods: qualitative analysis and text analytics or NLP on open-ended comments.
- Responsible AI: applying AI/GenAI to people research with attention to bias, privacy, and validity.
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 San Antonio, TX or Plano, TX. Relocation assistance is not available for this position.
What you'll do:
- Leads end-to-end execution of complex, cross-functional analyses addressing association workforce and employee experience challenges.
- Synthesizes multi-source people data to uncover systemic patterns, predictive indicators, and root causes.
- Designs advanced analytical approaches such as diagnostic analysis, segmentation, predictive modeling, and mixed-method research for association level insight needs.
- Translates broad, ambiguous business problems into structured analytical frameworks, hypotheses, and plans that guide high-impact analysis.
- Delivers clear, executive-ready insights and recommendations that inform strategic talent and workforce decisions.
- Partners with HR COEs, HRBPs and cross-functional leaders to define analytical needs and ensure insights drive action.
- Establishes and reinforces analytical standards, methods, and quality controls to ensure rigor, consistency, and reliability across analyses.
- Identifies and leads improvements to analytical tools, data sources, and processes to elevate insight quality and operational efficiency.
- Mentors and guides peers and team members to strengthen analytical capability and data storytelling across the team.
- Lead the exploration, implementation, and ethical deployment of AI/GenAI across the people analytics function, including defining use cases, establishing guidelines for responsible AI usage, assessing potential risks (e.g., bias), integrating AI insights into strategic decision-making, and upskilling the team on advanced AI/GenAI techniques and prompt engineering for HR applications.
- 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; 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 progressive experience in data analytics, HR/people analytics, workforce research, or related discipline.
- 6+ years applying I/O psychology and people analytics in a large complex organization (Fortune 500 or equivalent scale)..
- Conducting linkage research that connects employee survey, sentiment, and talent data to business outcomes such as retention, performance, productivity, and customer or member experience.
- Partnering with survey or employee listening teams as an analytics consultant: psychometric analysis of survey instruments, linkage studies, and advanced modeling of employee survey data.
- Advanced expertise applying quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-method approaches to complex, cross functional challenges.
- Demonstrated ability to lead large-scale analyses from problem definition through insight delivery.
- Advanced proficiency with analytical tools such as SQL, Excel, and BI/visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI).
- Advanced proficiency in at least one data analysis and statistical applications or programming language like R, Python
- Proven ability to synthesize complex data into executive-ready insights and narratives.
- Experience influencing stakeholders across HR and business functions.
What sets you apart:
- Designing and leading experimental and quasi-experimental studies (e.g., propensity score matching, regression discontinuity, interrupted time series, DAGs) to estimate the causal impact of HR programs, policies, and interventions.
- Leading program evaluations from design through impact and ROI, and translating results into executive recommendations.
- Demonstrated ability to proactively lead a research agenda: partnering with people analytics consultants and HR business partners to understand business priorities, identifying where research can add value, and proposing studies that address emerging needs rather than waiting for requests.
- Presenting complex research to senior leaders in clear, decision-focused terms.
- Experience mentoring and developing other analysts in advanced methods, including research design, statistical modeling, psychometrics, and code quality, and raising the technical standard of a team through coaching, peer review, and shared best practices.
- Contributions to the field (e.g., SIOP or academic presentations, peer-reviewed publications) are a plus.
Compensation range: The salary range for this position is: $143,320- $273,930
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.