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.

What You'll Contribute
 

The Senior Director of Underwriting Strategy will lead the design, development, implementation, and optimization of credit underwriting strategies across the organization. This role is responsible for balancing strategic leadership with hands-on execution, ensuring sound risk management practices while driving business growth, operational excellence, and customer outcomes.

The ideal candidate is equally comfortable defining long-term underwriting strategy and personally leading high-impact initiatives through implementation, testing, monitoring, and continuous improvement. This individual will partner closely with Credit Risk, Product, Compliance, Operations, Analytics, and Technology teams to transform insights into actionable solutions that deliver measurable results.
 

What You'll Do
 

Strategy Development, Implementation & Optimization (40%)

• Design, develop, and implement underwriting strategies aligned with business objectives, risk appetite, and regulatory requirements.

• Own underwriting strategies end-to-end, from concept development and business case creation through implementation and post-launch evaluation.

• Develop and optimize income verification frameworks and capacity-to-repay methodologies using data-driven insights.

• Lead strategy testing, policy enhancements, and decisioning improvements to drive portfolio performance and customer outcomes.

• Partner with Technology and Operations teams to translate strategy into implementation-ready requirements and ensure successful execution.

• Monitor strategy effectiveness and drive ongoing enhancements based on performance results.
   

Leadership & Cross-Functional Execution (25%)

• Lead and mentor a team of underwriting strategy professionals, fostering a culture of accountability, innovation, and continuous learning.

• Serve as a hands-on leader who balances team development with direct ownership of critical strategic initiatives.

• Collaborate across Credit Risk, Product, Compliance, Operations, Analytics, and Technology teams to drive successful implementation of underwriting strategies.

• Represent underwriting strategy in governance forums and provide thoughtful challenge and recommendations on proposed changes.

• Influence senior leadership through data-driven insights, strategic recommendations, and execution plans.
   

Analysis, Testing & Continuous Improvement (20%)

• Conduct deep-dive analyses of portfolio performance, underwriting effectiveness, market trends, and customer outcomes.

• Identify opportunities, quantify impact, and develop actionable recommendations that improve business performance.

• Lead champion/challenger testing, strategy evaluations, and performance assessments of underwriting policies and decision strategies.