Director, Post Default Collections Strategy

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 Director, Post Default Collections Strategy will play a pivotal role in shaping and executing the post-default strategy for Private Student Loan portfolio in their first line of defense controls for Sallie Mae’s. The position will report to the Senior Director, Post Default Collections Strategy.

This leadership position will be responsible for driving the vision, development, and implementation of best-in-class recovery strategies to maximize asset recovery, minimize losses, and drive cost efficiencies. This role requires a deep understanding of the unsecured lending space, as well as an ability to influence cross-functional teams and external partners to deliver key financial and operational goals.

The individual in this position will be expected to lead cross-functional initiatives across high performing teams to optimize post-default collections as well as setting up the strategies and standards to guide and work with internal collections teams, external agencies, and legal partners. The role demands a strategic mindset, strong leadership skills, and the ability to execute programs that drive financial performance while maintaining a customer-centric approach. The ideal candidate will bring a blend of strategic vision, operational expertise, and hands-on tactical experience to the organization.

This is a data intensive role and will require a hands-on approach at times. The preferred candidate will have a high competency in SAS, SQL & Microsoft Office products. The Director will be responsible for the end-to-end implementation of strategy and be able to assist with training and recruiting of new staff.  

The position interacts with senior management and will be required to present analysis, reporting and recommendations to Sallie Mae senior executives and governance committees.  

What You'll Do:

• Develop and Execute Post Default Collections Strategy

  • Design and implement comprehensive post-default recovery strategies across all collection's channels (in-house collections, external agencies, legal actions).

  • Continuously evaluate and enhance recovery methodologies to optimize recovery rates, reduce net charge-off rates, and ensure timely resolution.

  • Collaborate with senior leadership to align collections strategy with organizational goals and credit risk policies

  • Provides thought leadership and strategy recommendations to drive financial results.

  • Leverage data analytics to personalize outreach and enhance borrower engagement, optimizing resolution rates.

  • Manages key partnerships across the business to influence change.

• First line of defense:

  • Leads team efforts on first line of defense testing and monitoring

  • Leads efforts for defining and implementing testing of new or changed regulations or guidance from Law & Compliance

• Manage reporting and analytics

  • Partner closely with cross functional teams to ensure post-default strategies are compliant and data driven.

  • Develop and monitor key performance metrics to measure recovery performance and effectiveness across various channels.

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