Business Improvement Analyst/Associate

Acquiring, developing, financing and managing quality real estate investments since 1982, USAA Real Estate provides superior returns investing across the risk spectrum, with expertise in office, industrial, multi-family, retail and hotel assets. Investing for the USAA membership and aligned with more than one hundred investment partners across the world, we maintain an “Investor First” mindset with a significant co-investment in all programs. As the real estate investment management arm of USAA, a leading financial services company serving military families since 1922, USAA Real Estate has achieved a track record of success living up to the high standards set at USAA and sharing its culture. USAA's balance sheet puts us in a position of strength – well capitalized to invest in multiple strategies. This is a distinct competitive advantage. USAA Real Estate is headquartered in San Antonio, Texas.

Department Background

The Asset Management Department (consisting of over 30 professionals) is responsible for executing investment strategy on a wide array of commercial real estate investments including office, industrial, multifamily, retail and other properties. Key tasks include leasing, capital management, asset improvement, property management oversight, business plans, budgeting, quarterly valuations, and communication with many stakeholders including tenants, the investments team, portfolio management, senior management, partners and investors.

Purpose of the Role

The Business Improvement Analyst/Associate role will be an integral part of the project management function at USAA Real Estate. It combines process improvement, business analysis, and project management skills to deliver valuable business outcomes. USAA Real Estate has enjoyed significant growth over time; meanwhile, certain technological and other trends are opening further business improvement opportunities. This role will be responsible for leading business process improvement projects to enhance the team's business outcomes, efficiency, integration of technology, and scalability while maintaining the strong positive aspects of current business processes that have achieved high performance through positive outcomes for our stakeholders. These projects will take place inside the Asset Management department and on a multi-departmental scale.

Essential Duties:

• Work with many stakeholders among the functional business areas to identify opportunities and execute process improvement projects to successful completion.
• Enhance and sustain the culture of continuous improvement and bias toward action.
• Independently lead multiple complex, high-visibility projects that span various functional areas, from project initiation through execution.

• • Collaborate with business leaders as sponsors and process owners to determine scope and goals of the project.
  • Gather stakeholder buy-in for the project scope and goals.
  • Validate that project goals align with company objectives.
  • Analyze current state processes, recommend future state processes based on purpose-driven design and Lean Six Sigma practices.
  • Deliver a feasible project plan and manage the performance of the project by tracking deliverables and project risks.
  • Recommend and monitor required project resource allocation.
  • Communicate current project status to senior leaders and stakeholders.
• Work with the firm's other process improvement personnel (outside the Asset Management department) to hone project management methodology, coordinate cross-departmental projects, and disseminate information.
• Build constructive and effective relationships; use diplomacy and tact; truly value people, communicating and delivering value to them through process improvement

At USAA Real Estate our employees enjoy generous benefits packages including comprehensive medical, dental and vision plans, 401k, USAA Membership eligibility, educational and professional designation assistance, business casual dress attire and much more! Qualified applicants must successfully complete a pre-employment background and drug screen. 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.

USAA Real Estate is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer of Females, Minorities, Veterans and Disabled.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Business Administration or related field OR at least two additional years of directly related work experience beyond the required years of experience may be substituted in lieu of degree.
• 3+ years' professional business experience with 1+ year of process improvement work experience
• Excellent analytical and creative problem-solving skills.
• Exceptional communication skills, including ability to appropriately communicate with and present to all levels of the organization through written and verbal methods.
• Ability to work across multiple, distributed, functional groups.
• Six Sigma Greenbelt certified or currently pursuing a Six Sigma Greenbelt certification.
• Sound working knowledge and experience using and applying process improvement best practices / techniques, including process mapping and facilitation.
• Aptitude for understanding organizational operations and culture.
• Intellectual curiosity and strong desire to identify the true business needs to serve.
• Experience influencing others to support an idea or agenda; enthusiasm and aptitude for change management.
• Strong enterprise-wide vision (seeing the big picture) with strong attention to detail.
• Desire to design and implement solutions which provide long-term benefit.
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office (PPT, Excel, Visio) and an aptitude for technology.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Commercial real estate industry experience.
• Experience in Accounting or Financial Services.

Physical Requirements:

• Regularly required to sit for extended periods of time; frequently required to stand, walk, and use business equipment daily such as computer, copier, fax, telephone, etc.; frequently required to reach overhead, bend, and lift objects of up to 25 lbs.
• Ability to handle stress caused by multiple priorities, and other unforeseen situations associated with the organization.
• Eyesight and hearing must be correctable to standard level.