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, Communications will develop and execute strategic communication initiatives to enhance the organization's reputation and effectively engage external stakeholders.

What You'll Do:

Description

Develops and implements comprehensive communications strategies aligned with the organization's mission, goals, and objectives.                    

Manages company’s external communications activities including media relations, reputation management, and campaigns related to key initiatives that engage stakeholders and shape Sallie Mae’s reputation.

Drafts various communications, including messaging, briefing docs, executive talking points, press releases, social media, op-eds, and more. 

Builds relationships with media, pitches stories, responds to incoming requests, maintains processes for media management.

Proactively designs and manages national and local PR campaigns, including messaging and story creation.

Serves as one of the lead company spokespersons, representing the company's interests to the media and other external stakeholders. 

Collaborates with cross-functional teams to support marketing/education services, public affairs, research, and corporate social responsibility initiatives.       

Monitors industry trends, competitive landscape, and public sentiment to identify potential opportunities or risks.

Measures and analyzes the effectiveness of communication initiatives, seeking opportunities to “level up” comms efforts and provide recommendations for continuous improvement.

Provides external communications insights, analysis, and strategic guidance to drive reputation.

Works with team to build social media strategies specifically on LinkedIn and X, to grow awareness, thought leadership, and advocacy.

Helps develop crisis communication plans and strategy.

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 education, skills and experience required.

Strong leadership skills with the ability to inspire and manage a team effectively.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to craft clear and persuasive messages for different target audiences.

Proficient in media relations, with experience in building and maintaining relationships with journalists and media outlets.

Knowledge of crisis communications and experience in effectively managing communication during challenging situations.

Strategic mindset with the ability to align communication efforts with overall business objectives.

Strong project management skills, including the ability to prioritize and handle multiple projects simultaneously.

Proficiency in digital communication tools, social media platforms, and content management systems.

Up-to-date knowledge of industry best practices and emerging trends in communications.

Preferred education, skills, and experience.

Bachelor's or Master's degree in communications, public relations, journalism, or a related field.

7+ years experience in communications, public relations, or corporate communications roles, with demonstrated success in developing and implementing communication strategies.

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.