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
Launch Your Career as a Future Analytics Leader
The Associate Lines of Defense Early Career Development Program is a selective 24-month development program designed to build the next generation of risk, compliance, controls, and audit talent at Sallie Mae. Through rotational experiences across key Lines of Defense functions,you'lldevelop the unique combination of business acumen, analytical thinking, risk awareness, and professional judgment needed toidentifyemerging risks, strengthen controls, support regulatory readiness, and influence sound business decisions.
As a member of the program,you'llwork on meaningful projects that directlyimpactour customers, business performance, risk management practices, and strategic priorities.You'llgain exposure to multiple areas of the organization,participatein structured development opportunities, and build relationships with leaders and mentors who are invested in your success.
This program is designed for individuals who are curious, analytical, detail-oriented, and eager to learn how strong governance, risk management, compliance, and assurance practices support a healthy financial services organization. By the end of the experience,you'llhavea strong foundationin the business, a practical understanding of the Lines of Defense model, and the skills needed to accelerate your career within Sallie Mae.
This opportunity is intended for students who will complete theirBachelor's or Master'sdegree between December 2026 and June 2027 and are available to begin full-time employment in June 2027 as part of our Early Career Development Program.
What You'll Do
Complete three 8-month rotational assignments across key Lines of Defense groups. Each rotation is designed to strengthen your understanding of the business, develop your risk and controls mindset, and build the analytical and communication skills needed to help teamsidentifyissues, evaluate processes, and drive meaningful improvements.
Business Controls
Learn how strong first-line controls help teams manage operational, process, and business risks before issues arise.
Evaluate business practices, processes, and controls toidentifypotential risk areas and improvement opportunities
Support issue identification, root cause analysis, remediation planning, and control enhancement efforts
Partner with business teams to strengthen accountability, process discipline, and risk awareness
Document observations, recommendations, and progress in a clear, action-oriented manner
Enterprise Risk Management
Build a broader understanding of enterprise-wide risk frameworks, governance practices, and risk oversight across business lines.
Support analysis of key business processes, emerging risks, and control environments
Contribute to assessments thatidentifygaps, trends, and opportunities to reduce risk exposure
Assistwith risk reporting, governance materials, and leadership-ready insights
Learn how enterprise risk practices inform strategic decisions and support responsible growth
Compliance
Develop an understanding of the regulatory environment and how compliance programs help protect customers, the business, and Sallie Mae.
Research regulatory expectations and help assess how they apply to business processes
Support compliance monitoring, testing, issue tracking, and reporting activities
Translate complex information into clear insights that help inform leadership decision-making
Build awareness of consumer finance, operational compliance, and regulatory risk considerations
Internal Audit
Gain exposure to independent assurance work that evaluates governance, risk management, and control effectiveness.
Assistwith planning and executing audit procedures, including walkthroughs, testing, and documentation
Analyze evidence,identifythemes, and summarize findings in a clear and professional manner
Support reporting that helps leadership understand risks, control gaps, and recommended actions
Develop professional skepticism, attention to detail, and sound judgment through hands-on audit work
Throughout the Program, You Will
Solve meaningful business problems through risk-based, analytical, and process-oriented thinking
Develop technical, analytical, communication, and consulting skills through hands-on experience
Communicate findings and recommendations through presentations, reporting, and concise business writing
Partner with stakeholders across multiple functions and business areas
Participate in mentorship, networking, and leadership development opportunities
Gain exposure to senior leaders and strategic business initiatives
Join a cohort of high-performing early-career professionals committed to learning, growth, and collaboration
What You Have - Required Qualifications
Education
Expected graduation between December 2026 and June 2027 with aBachelor's or Master'sdegree in a relevant discipline such as Business, Economics, Finance, Accounting, Management, Data Science, Risk Management, Compliance, or a related field
Technical Skills
Experience with SQL, Python, SAS, or similar programming languages through coursework, internships, research, or work experience
Exposure to Power BI or other data visualization tools is a plus
Analytical Skills
Strong analytical mindset with the ability to evaluate information,identifytrends, and solve complex or ambiguous business problems
Ability to develop hypotheses, organize work, interpret results, and translate findings into actionable recommendations
Communication Skills
Ability to communicate complex information clearly and professionally to a range of audiences
Strong written, verbal, presentation, and documentation skills
Collaboration & Leadership Potential
Demonstrated initiative, adaptability, and willingness to learn
Ability to collaborate effectively across teams, build strong working relationships, and contribute in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment
Strong interpersonal skills and interest in developing leadership capability
Attention to Detail
Commitment to accuracy, quality, documentation, and delivering high-value work
Growth Mindset
Curiosity, resilience, professionalism, and enthusiasm for continuous learning
Interest in building a career in risk management, compliance, controls, internal audit, governance, business analysis, or related fields
Preferred Experience
Internship, co-op, research, leadership, or work experience involving finance, business analysis, compliance, audit, risk management, controls, data analysis, or related disciplines
Exposure to analytical tools, reporting, process improvement, or documentation practices is a plus
Why Join Sallie Mae?
At Sallie Mae,you'lldo more than learn about risk and controls—you'llhelp strengthen the practices that support our customers, business performance, and long-term success. Through hands-on work, mentorship, leadership exposure, and rotational experiences,you'llbuild the foundation to become a future leader in risk, compliance, controls, audit, or governance.
Launch your career. Build yourexpertise Become a future Lines of Defense leader.
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 clickingIntroduce Yourselfin 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’s mission is to power confidence as students begin their unique journey. We believe college should be affordable, equitable, and accessible for all students. As the leader in private student lending, we provide financing and expertise to support college access and completion. We offer products and resources to help students and families start smart in planning for higher education, ensuring opportunities to learn and dream big.
