Director, Associate General Counsel

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

We are seeking an experienced, business-savvy contracts and cybersecurity attorney to join our legal team. The ideal candidate will have a background in corporate law and will be a subject matter expert in business transactions, commercial contracts, contract negotiations, and information security.

They will play a key role in supporting the day-to-day operations of our procurement and business continuity functions.

What You'll Do

Procurement and VMO

Provide legal advice and support for the day-to-day operations of the Vendor Management Office and related functions :

Ensure the timely and accurate turnaround of contracts and transactional items requiring Legal review.

Act as the Legal lead for the VMO’s Procurement process improvements.

Draft, review and negotiate complex agreements, including strategic partnership agreements, vendor agreements, participation agreements, joint marketing agreements, IT agreements and license agreements.

Ability to analyze and identify relevant terms and conditions, and perform risk assessment at appropriate levels for contract scope.

Improve processes to be efficient, and create and improve templates and playbooks where appropriate. Implement process improvements in contract review workflows, reduce turnaround times and increase productivity within the Legal Department.

Business Continuity and Cybersecurity

Provide legal advice and support to IT clients and others on all things cybersecurity.

Provide advice to internal clients and stakeholders regarding cybersecurity laws and other business continuity areas in connection with Sallie Mae’s business and compliance requirements.

Support periodic cybersecurity / business continuity tabletop exercises for various audiences within the company.

Support and participate in the annual application for cybersecurity insurance for the enterprise.

In both substantive areas above, you will :

work with cross-functional teams

Identify and mitigate risk

effectively prioritize multiple activities, consistently exercising highly skilled time management

strong communicator

deliver exceptional client service

creative problem solver

What you have

Minimum education, skills and experience required.

J.D. from an accredited U.S. law school.

Must be licensed and in good standing with any state bar, with ability and willingness to obtain Delaware, Indiana or Virginia in-house bar admission (as applicable).

Demonstrated ability to work both independently and in cross-functional group setting, manage multiple priorities, and meet deadlines in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.

Meticulous attention to detail.

Extensive knowledge and experience in corporate law, contract negotiation, risk management, and compliance.

Strong understanding of corporate governance principles and regulations relevant to the organization's industry.

Proven track record in providing strategic legal advice, managing complex legal matters, and mitigating risks.

Ability to collaborate effectively with stakeholders at all levels, both internal and external.

Ability to work in a hybrid environment ( 3 days per week in the office).

Preferred education, skills, and experience.

8+ years of legal experience in private practice and / or as an in-house counsel.

Experience in the banking or consumer finance industry is strongly preferred.

Knowledge and experience in providing legal support to Procurement and Vendor Management functions. Negotiate contracts and provide legal analysis and identify risks.

Knowledge and experience with federal and state laws governing cybersecurity and business continuity.

The Americans with Disabilities Act

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.

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Reasonable accommodations are available for applicants with disabilities in all phases of the application and employment process.