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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.

Sr. Director - Finance Business Partner

Job Code

993731

FLSA Status

A - Administrative (FLSA Status)

Job Grade

Sr Dir

Job Description Title

Sr. Director, Finance Business Partner

What You'll Contribute

The Finance Business Partner will be the primary liaison between the Finance organization and the Commercial Organization either supporting the Private Student Loan or Education Services business. This role will be responsible for providing financial insights, analysis, and strategic guidance to drive performance and support decision making for these business areas. He/ She/ They will serve as a trusted advisor to leadership, collaborating closely with key leaders and their teams in order to achieve organizational objectives while ensuring financial sustainability and compliance. This role will report to the Head of FP&A and Investor Relations and will also be responsible for creating synergies within the larger Finance team; alignment and close communication with peers in accounting, and FP&A is critical to the success of this position.

What You'll Do

Description

% of Time Spent

• Financial Analysis & Reporting

• Conduct in-depth financial analysis to identify trends, opportunities, and risks, providing insights that support strategic decision-making.

• Prepare and analyze financial reports, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and compliance with regulatory requirements.

• Business Partnering

• Build strong relationships with business leaders and stakeholders, serving as a proactive advisor on financial matters and business performance.

• Provide timely and accurate updates on a weekly/ monthly basis to stakeholders to facilitate decision making and strategic conversations throughout the business area and finance, generally.

• Support organizational change initiatives by providing financial insights and analysis to facilitate decision-making and minimize financial impact.

• Budgeting, Forecasting and Strategic Planning

• Collaborate with business units to develop accurate budgets and forecasts aligned with organizational goals and financial objectives and provide feedback to Finance colleagues.

• Monitor Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and financial metrics, assessing performance against targets and recommending corrective actions as needed.

• Participate in strategic planning processes, providing financial expertise to help shape business strategies and initiatives. Deliver this information to the larger Finance organization to maintain connection with organizational initiatives throughout the Company.

• Work collectively with Finance leadership to evaluate investment opportunities, projects, and initiatives, conducting cost-benefit analysis and assessing their financial viability.

• Risk Management

• Identify financial risks and develop strategies to mitigate them, ensuring prudent financial management and compliance with internal controls.

• Stay connected to colleagues in larger Finance organization on risk management and compliance initiatives.

• Continuous Improvement

• Drive process improvement and efficiency initiatives within the finance function and across the business, optimizing financial performance and resource allocation.

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.

• Experience in financial services with a strong preference for backgrounds in lending with knowledge of Private Student Loans a plus.

• Strong understanding of financial principles, accounting standards, and financial analysis techniques.

• Ability to understand business operations, industry dynamics, and market trends to provide relevant financial insights and support.

• Proficiency in data analysis, financial modeling, and scenario planning to assess complex financial situations and make informed recommendations.

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills to effectively engage with stakeholders, present financial information, and influence decision making.

• Ability to collaborate cross-functionally and work effectively in a team-based environment to achieve common goals.

• Capability to think strategically and align financial objectives with broader business strategies and objectives.

• Strong problem-solving skills to identify issues, evaluate alternatives, and develop practical solutions to complex financial challenges.

• Flexibility to adapt to changing priorities, business needs, and organizational dynamics in a fast-paced environment.

• Commitment to upholding ethical standards, integrity, and confidentiality in handling financial information and decision-making.

• Demonstrated leadership qualities, including the ability to inspire trust, influence others, and drive results in a collaborative manner.

Preferred education, skills, and experience.

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, Finance or Economics. MBA preferred but not required.

• 10+ years of progressive experience in accounting/ finance, including experience in a strategic finance business partner role.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex concepts in a clear and concise manner.

• Strong leadership and strategic thinking abilities, with a results-oriented mindset and the ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

• Ability to analyze financial/business information in order to make recommendations on tactical/strategic initiatives.

• Knowledge of Private Student Loans

Core Dimensions

Strategic / tactical / transaction:

Accountability:

Judgement:

Influence & Impact:

Leading & Managing:

If you have indicated ‘other’ in any section above, please provide more details:

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.

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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 (https://salliemae.com/legal/pay-transparency-policy/) to view the U.S. Pay Transparency Policy, here (https://mandatoryview.com/productview) for federal job applicant notices, and here (https://acrobat.adobe.com/link/review?uri=urn%3Aaaid%3Ascds%3AUS%3A5637b18d-10f3-4877-a3fe-481683f1eb1c) 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.

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. If you'd like more information about your EEO rights as an applicant, please click https://https/www.eeoc.gov/employees-job-applicants. https://https/www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/ofccp/regs/compliance/posters/pdf/OFCCPEEOSupplementFinalJRFQA508c.pdf. Click https://https/www.salliemae.com/legal/pay-transparency-policy/ to view the U.S. Pay Transparency Policy.