Senior Director, 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.

What You'll Contribute

The Senior Director, Strategy will be responsible for leading our strategic initiatives and drive long-term growth across the organization.

  What You'll Do

• Develop and refine the company’s strategic vision and long-term goals.
• Lead the strategic planning process and ensure alignment with organizational priorities.
• Conduct comprehensive market research and competitive analysis to identify opportunities, risks, and emerging trends.
• Partner with executives and department heads to align strategic initiatives across the organization.
• Present strategic plans and initiatives to senior management and the board of directors.
• Build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders to drive buy-in and support for strategic objectives.
• Identify and evaluate new business models, partnerships, and market opportunities to drive innovation and revenue growth.
• Drive enterprise revenue growth by establishing and expanding relationships with agency holding companies, independent agencies, and brand-direct partners across priority verticals, including retail/commerce, tech/devices, financial services, insurance, telecom, and education-adjacent categories (e.g., moving/dorm essentials, office supplies).
• Identify and evaluate emerging market opportunities tied to the student lifecycle, such as high school-to-college transitions, to inform go-to-market strategies and attract new advertiser segments.
• Develop and execute go-to-market strategies, including client acquisition plans, value proposition refinement tailored to education audiences, and foundational sales processes/tools (e.g., CRM setup, pipeline tracking, audience insights).
• Champion Sallie's capabilities through executive-level storytelling, industry presence, and thought leadership to build early clientele and market credibility in the education space.
• Partner cross-functionally to align product, data/analytics, and operations with commercial needs, ensuring scalable execution as the business grows

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.

What You Have

Minimum education, skills and experience required.

• Proven track record of successfully leading strategic initiatives and driving business transformation.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to synthesize complex data into actionable insights.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and engage stakeholders at all levels.
• Build partnerships and work collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives.
• Leadership skills including leading and delivering initiatives without direct supervision.

Preferred education, skills, and experience.

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Finance, Economics, or a related field; MBA or advanced degree preferred.