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.
Job Summary
The Senior Associate, Business Integration plays a critical role in supporting multiple Business Integration Managers across Pre‑Default Collections, Post‑Default Collections, and Risk & Compliance. This role serves as a key execution and coordination partner, leading smaller initiatives and defined workstreams, managing timelines and deliverables, and enabling effective execution through organization, communication, and analytical support.
The Senior Associate operates across concurrent priorities, partnering closely with Managers to drive progress on initiatives, surface risks, manage dependencies, and ensure timely delivery of commitments. This role requires strong project management discipline, comfort managing upward, and the ability to independently drive work while operating within defined strategic direction.
Key Responsibilities
Initiative & Workstream Leadership
Lead assigned smaller initiatives and sub‑projects on behalf of Business Integration Managers, from planning through execution and closeout.
Translate high‑level direction into actionable plans, milestones, and deliverables.
Own day‑to‑day execution for assigned workstreams, escalating risks or decision points as needed.
Delivery & Timeline Management
Develop and maintain project plans, timelines, and status tracking across multiple initiatives.
Proactively manage dependencies, risks, and open items to support timely delivery.
Drive follow‑ups, action tracking, and issue resolution across cross‑functional partners.
Manager Enablement & Upward Management
Organize and synthesize updates for Managers, including status summaries, risks, and upcoming decisions.
Prepare materials to support leadership discussions, reviews, and governance routines.
Act as a thought partner to Managers by proactively identifying gaps, bottlenecks, or execution risks.
Cross‑Functional Coordination
Partner with Operations, Risk, Compliance, Technology, and other stakeholders to support integration efforts.
Facilitate working sessions, meetings, and working groups to drive alignment and progress.
Ensure communication is clear, consistent, and documented across impacted teams.
Risk, Compliance & Issue Tracking Support
Support risk and compliance-related initiatives by tracking open items, remediation plans, and due dates.
Assist with documentation of risk assessments, controls, and mitigation activities.
Partner with risk and compliance teams to ensure operational follow‑through on identified gaps.
Analytics, Reporting & Ad Hoc Support
Analyze data and operational metrics to support decision‑making and initiative prioritization.
Produce recurring and ad hoc reporting tied to initiative delivery, risks, and outcomes.
Support ad hoc requests and time‑sensitive needs from Business Integration leadership.
Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in Business Administration or related field, or equivalent experience.
3-5 years of experience in business integration, operations, project management, risk/compliance support, or a related role.
Experience supporting multiple initiatives or leaders simultaneously in a dynamic environment.
Skills & Capabilities
Strong project and delivery management skills with ability to manage multiple priorities.
Proven ability to organize ambiguity into structured plans and updates.
Comfort managing upward and driving accountability without formal authority.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Analytical mindset with attention to detail and follow‑through.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office tools (Excel, PowerPoint, Word)
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
Not the right fit? Let us know you're interested in a future opportunity by clicking Introduce Yourself in the top-right corner of the page or create an account to set up email alerts as new job postings become available that meet your interest!
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.