Director, Credit Risk

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

The Director, Credit Risk will be responsible for overseeing and managing our credit risk management strategies to ensure that credit risks are properly assessed, monitored, and mitigated to maintain the financial health and stability of the organization.
 

What You'll Do

• Establish and maintain an effective credit risk framework, including credit risk assessment methodologies, risk appetite, risk limits, and risk mitigation strategies.
• Evaluate and analyze credit risk exposure across various business lines, products, and customer segments.
• Conduct comprehensive credit risk assessments and provide recommendations to senior management and the Board of Directors.
• Monitor and review credit portfolios to identify emerging risks, trends, and potential areas of concern.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders, including originations, sales, and finance teams, to ensure credit risk considerations are integrated into business decisions and processes.
• Develop and implement credit risk monitoring tools and systems to enhance risk identification, measurement, and reporting capabilities.
• Foster relationships with external stakeholders, such as credit rating agencies, auditors, and regulators, to ensure effective communication and collaboration on credit risk-related matters.
   

The above information is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this job; it is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees in this role.
 

What you have

Minimum: Indicate minimum education, skills and experience required.

• Strong knowledge of credit risk principles, methodologies, and regulatory requirements.
• Demonstrated experience in developing and implementing credit risk management frameworks, policies, and procedures.
• Proven ability to analyze complex credit portfolios and assess credit risk exposure.
• Excellent understanding of financial statements, financial analysis, and risk assessment techniques.
• Experience in managing and leading a team of credit risk professionals.
• Exceptional analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to think strategically and make informed decisions.

Preferred: Indicate “nice to haves” regarding education, skills, and experience.

• Bachelor's degree in finance, economics, business administration, or a related field.
• 7+ years of experience in credit risk management within the financial services industry, with a focus on corporate or commercial lending.
   

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.

• 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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