Senior Director, Underwriting Strategies

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.

The Senior Director of Underwriting Strategy will lead the design, development, and implementation of credit underwriting strategies across the organization. This role is responsible for ensuring robust risk management practices through innovative approaches to underwriting strategies, income verification, capacity to repay analysis, and cross-functional collaboration. The position requires strategic leadership, analytical expertise, and the ability to drive execution from concept through implementation.

• Design and implement underwriting strategies aligned with regulatory requirements and business objectives.
• Develop and optimize income verification frameworks leveraging data driven insights.
• Oversee capacity to repay methodologies, ensuring compliance with risk appetite and fair lending standards.

• Lead and mentor a team of underwriting strategy professionals.
• Partner with cross-functional teams (Credit Risk, Product, Compliance, Technology) to ensure seamless strategy integration.
• Represent underwriting strategy in governance forums and provide effective challenge on proposed changes.

• Conduct in-depth analysis of credit performance, market trends, and regulatory feedback to refine strategies.
• Monitor and report on strategy effectiveness, implementing enhancements as needed.
• Drive automation and process improvements to enhance customer experience and operational efficiency.

• Ensure adherence to internal policies, standards, and regulatory requirements (ECOA, UDAAP, FDIC guidelines).
• Maintain documentation of underwriting standards and manage exceptions approval process.

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.

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Economics, Business, or related field.
• 10+ years of experience in credit risk, underwriting strategy, or related functions within consumer lending.
• Proven leadership experience managing teams and influencing cross-functional stakeholders.
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills with proficiency in data driven decision making.
• Deep understanding of regulatory frameworks and risk management principles.