Associate, Risk Management; Start date - 06/2026

When you join Sallie Mae, you become a champion for all students.

We’re on a mission to power confidence as students begin their unique journey. To help them plan their higher education, successfully finish, and prepare for life after school. To help them Start smart. Learn big.

Students need guidance navigating this important time in their life. They need someone who acknowledges that their education path is unique. They need a partner willing to evolve and not only meet but surpass their expectations. We’re changing. Because students need a better way.

We’re looking for people who are excited to drive this transformation. To break barriers and think of new ways to adapt, help, and create better experiences for students—and for each other.

This is where diverse backgrounds, beliefs, and perspectives matter. It’s where you’re empowered to bring your authentic self to work.

Feeling your best allows you to do your best. Our benefits take care of the whole you—from physical and mental to financial and professional. You’ll get opportunities to further your education and career, support for you and your family (including your pets!), paid time off to volunteer for the things that matter to you, and more.

We’re obsessed with impact and making a real difference. For us, that means putting relationships first, asking “why not?” when tackling challenges, and continuously learning new skills.

Come do more than join something, change something. For students, for future generations, for the future of education.

What You’ll Contribute

As part of the 24-month Graduate Development Program, you’ll develop your analytical and risk management skills working in 3 different departments across Sallie Mae’s Lines of Defense. You’ll learn best-in-class risk frameworks and test our processes and support important investigations while benefiting from mentorship opportunities as well as on-the-job and classroom training to accelerate your personal and professional development. By the end of the program, you’ll have a deep understanding of our business combined with the knowledge and skills to make you successful in whichever department you make your permanent home.

What You’ll Do

• 3 * 8-month rotations across some of the following departments:
• Business Controls – Probing our practices and processes to identify issues before they arise
• Enterprise Risk Management – Investigating key processes across business lines to identify and minimize gaps
• Compliance – Understanding financial regulator concerns at a deep level and informing senior leadership’s decision-making
• Audit – Designing and conducting independent and in-depth investigations for reporting to the Board of Directors
• Analytical and Conceptual Problem Solving: Work in unstructured environments to conduct action-oriented analyses that drive business decisions.
• Communication & Reporting: Present findings and insights to different audiences (e.g., senior leadership, cross-functional teams) through clear, concise, and effective written and verbal communication.
• Leadership Development: Collaborate with mentors and leadership teams to further develop leadership skills, strategic thinking, and decision-making abilities.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with teams from various departments and contribute to key projects.
• Innovation & Improvement: Identify opportunities for process improvements and data-driven solutions to enhance business outcomes.
  
  

Required

What you have:

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in a relevant major (e.g. Economics, Business, Accounting, Management, Data Science, etc.). Min GPA 3.5
• Analytical Skills: Strong analytical mindset with the ability to work in ambiguous or unstructured environments to solve complex business problems. Ability to develop hypotheses, design analytical plans, and interpret data-driven results.
• Communication Skills: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present and explain complex information in a clear, actionable manner for diverse audiences.
• Leadership Potential: Strong leadership skills with a demonstrated ability to take initiative, motivate others, and drive projects forward. A business-oriented mindset, with a focus on achieving strategic goals and outcomes.
• Problem-Solving Orientation: Ability to approach problems with a solution-driven mindset and contribute to decision-making in dynamic and evolving business environments.
• Collaboration & Teamwork: Ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams and adapt to different working styles.
• Professionalism & Growth Mindset: A strong desire to learn and develop within the business, with a commitment to continuous improvement and personal development.
  
  

Preferred

• Master’s degree in related field
• 1 year experience in business analysis or a related field
  
  

The Americans With Disabilities Act

The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) prohibits discrimination by employers, in compensation and employment opportunities, against qualified individuals with disabilities who, with or without reasonable accommodation, can perform the “essential functions” of a job. A function may be essential for any of several reasons, including: the job exists to perform that function, the employee holding the job was hired for his/her expertise in performing the function, or only a limited number of employees are available to perform that function.

Feeling Your Best Helps You Do Your Best

Our benefits take care of the whole you—so you can build your work around your life (not the other way around!).

• Competitive base salaries
• Bonus incentives
• Generous PTO, Floating Holidays and 12 Federal Holidays observed
• Support for financial-well-being and retirement 401k with employer match
• Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, hospital indemnity, critical illness, pet insurance and more
• Employer paid short-term/long-term disability and basic life insurance
• Flexible hybrid working arrangements.
• Paid parental leave and adoption reimbursement programs
• Free access to on-site staffed fitness centers (in Delaware) and gym subsidy (for locations outside Delaware)
• Confidential counseling support (EAP), Health Advocacy services and Wellness program with financial incentives
• Tuition Reimbursement and Family Scholarship Programs
• Career development and training opportunities
  
  

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Sallie Mae is proud to be an equal opportunity (EEO) employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, genetic information, gender identity, disability, Veteran status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. Click here to view the U.S. Pay Transparency Policy, here for federal job applicant notices, and here to view the California Employee Privacy Notice.

Reasonable accommodations are available for applicants with disabilities in all phases of the application and employment process. To request an accommodation please call (855) 756-2007 and choose option 9. All information you provide will be kept confidential and will be used only to the extent required to provide needed reasonable accommodations.