Associate, Lines Of Defense

Associate, Lines of Defense - Open to Students who have an expected graduation between December 2026 and June 2027 with a Bachelor's or Master's degree in a relevant discipline such as Business, Economics, Finance, Accounting, Management, Data Science, Risk Management, Compliance, or a related field 

What you’ll contribute: 

As part of the 24-month Graduate Development Program, you’ll develop your analytical and risk management skills working in 3 different departments across Sallie Mae’s Lines of Defense. You’ll learn best-in-class risk frameworks and test our processes and support important investigations while benefiting from mentorship opportunities as well as on-the-job and classroom training to accelerate your personal and professional development. By the end of the program, you’ll have a deep understanding of our business combined with the knowledge and skills to make you successful in whichever department you make your permanent home. 

What you’ll do: 

3 * 8-month rotations across some of the following departments: 

Business Controls – Probing our practices and processes to identify issues before they arise 

Enterprise Risk Management – Investigating key processes across business lines to identify and minimize gaps  

Compliance – Understanding financial regulator concerns at a deep level and informing senior leadership’s decision-making 

Audit – Designing and conducting independent and in-depth investigations for reporting to the Board of Directors 

Analytical and Conceptual Problem Solving: Work in unstructured environments to conduct action-oriented analyses that drive business decisions. 

Communication & Reporting: Present findings and insights to different audiences (e.g., senior leadership, cross-functional teams) through clear, concise, and effective written and verbal communication. 

Leadership Development: Collaborate with mentors and leadership teams to further develop leadership skills, strategic thinking, and decision-making abilities. 

Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with teams from various departments and contribute to key projects. 

Innovation & Improvement: Identify opportunities for process improvements and data-driven solutions to enhance business outcomes. 

What you have: 

Required: 

Education: Bachelor’s degree in a relevant major (e.g. Economics, Business, Accounting, Management, Data Science, etc.). Min GPA 3.5  

Analytical Skills: Strong analytical mindset with the ability to work in ambiguous or unstructured environments to solve complex business problems. Ability to develop hypotheses, design analytical plans, and interpret data-driven results. 

Communication Skills: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present and explain complex information in a clear, actionable manner for diverse audiences. 

Leadership Potential: Strong leadership skills with a demonstrated ability to take initiative, motivate others, and drive projects forward. A business-oriented mindset, with a focus on achieving strategic goals and outcomes. 

Problem-Solving Orientation: Ability to approach problems with a solution-driven mindset and contribute to decision-making in dynamic and evolving business environments. 

Collaboration & Teamwork: Ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams and adapt to different working styles. 

Professionalism & Growth Mindset: A strong desire to learn and develop within the business, with a commitment to continuous improvement and personal development. 

Preferred: 

Master’s degree in related field 

1 year experience in business analysis or a related field