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.

Who We Are:  

Sallie Mae is proud to help Americans aspiring to create the life they want—whether that means helping them make college happen, or something more. Our colleagues across departments and across the country are united in our passion and our customer-first approach. Whether you want to join a growing company, be part of an agile workforce, or gain new skills—you’re in the right place.

What You’ll Contribute:  

The Senior Director and Associate General Counsel position will have regular exposure to Sallie Mae’s senior and executive management teams. A successful candidate must be very detail-oriented and have the ability to work independently while managing multiple priorities and deadlines.

Experience with a broad range of securities law matters, including public company SEC reporting rules, NASDAQ listing rules, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, preparation and review of SEC public company filings and disclosures, and/or structured finance and capital markets matters is strongly preferred.  Experience with one or more of the following areas is an added plus: executive compensation, public debt and equity issuances, share repurchase transactions (including tender offers, accelerated share repurchases, and 10b5-1 plans), derivatives, corporate governance, and general banking matters.

What You’ll Do: Key duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

Support the General Counsel Office’s delivery of advice and counsel to the company’s senior executives and board of directors on all aspects of securities and public disclosures;

Prepare and review a broad range of ’34 Act filings, including 10-Ks, 10-Qs, and 8-Ks;

Prepare and review '33 Act filings in connection with public debt and equity issuances;

Prepare, review and analyze offering and transaction documents in connection with structured finance and other past and present capital markets matters;

Negotiate, draft, and manage legal documentation regarding various forms of share repurchase arrangements, including 10b5-1 trading plans;

Support the process for declaring and paying stock dividends;

Ensure the company’s compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and NASDAQ listing rules and requirements;

Identify, analyze, and report on legal and market practice developments related to securities matters, including changes in laws, regulations, and policies;

Manage and update on a regular basis policies and procedures regarding disclosure controls and Regulation FD;

Support the company’s SEC Reporting, Investor Relations, and Corporate Communications teams by: (i) drafting and reviewing press releases, earnings presentations, investor presentations, and other related materials; (ii) advising on Regulation FD and Regulation G matters; and (iii) counseling on other analyst, media, and communications matters;

Support the company’s private education loan securitization and loan sale practice;

Support other attorneys, as needed, in connection with the company’s annual proxy statement, the company’s annual meeting of stockholders, Section 16 filings, and the company’s trading window policy;

Work with the general counsel, the head of Corporate Disclosures, Finance, and Securitization legal team, and other members of legal department on other securities matters and strategic corporate finance transactions;

Assist with corporate governance matters as needed;

Assist with regulatory compliance related to various business initiatives;

Interface directly with senior managers and executive team regarding company transactions, as well as on risk management and compliance initiatives; and

Manage and coordinate with outside counsel, as necessary.

What You Need to Succeed:  

Proven ability to develop solutions to complex problems, including problems that are analytical, process driven, and/or data driven in nature;

Meticulous attention to details;

Excellent quantitative, analytical, interpersonal, communication, writing, and drafting skills; strong organizational and time management skills;

Demonstrated ability to work well with and influence senior management and other business partners so that the appropriate business outcomes are achieved;

Experience navigating controls and procedures relating to SEC filings and public disclosures;

Ability to interpret and apply applicable laws and regulations effectively and efficiently;

A strong sense of ownership of tasks and responsibilities;

A strong focus on clients and results; and

Ability to develop analytical frameworks, execute on them, and communicate guidance effectively.

What You Have:  

JD from accredited law school and bar admission in good standing in at least one state.

10+ years of relevant experience in government agency, at a law firm, and/or in house with significant securities experience, preferably in the financial services or banking area. 

Excellent negotiation, communication, and presentation skills.

Ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams and influence decision-making at the executive level.

High level of integrity, ethics, and professional judgment.

Preferred:  

Experience working well in a fast-paced and dynamic environment, which involves managing many  high-stakes tasks simultaneously with minimal supervision and under tight deadlines.

Ability to build productive relationships with the broader legal staff, business clients, and executives, including in a hybrid office/remote work environment.

The ideal candidate has the ability to work independently as well as in a team setting.

Some business travel may be required.

  

What You’ll Get:

Comprehensive Compensation and Healthcare Benefits (Medical, Dental, Vision plans).

Financial Well-being: 401(k) company match, employee stock purchase plan, and basic life insurance and short-term disability are provided to employees at no cost.

Work/Life Balance: Paid time off, time off to volunteer, and tuition reimbursement. In addition, after 6 months of employment, primary caregivers receive 12 weeks of 100% fully paid time off and secondary caregivers are eligible for 4 weeks of 100% fully paid time off, for birth or adoption.

Wellness: Fitness centers/gym subsidies and wellness education.

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.