Associate, Lines of Defense – Early Career Development Program

About the Program

The Associate Lines of Defense Early Career Development Program is a selective 24-month development program designed to build the next generation of risk, compliance, controls, and audit talent at Sallie Mae. Through rotational experiences across key Lines of Defense functions, you'll develop the unique combination of business acumen, analytical thinking, risk awareness, and professional judgment needed to identify emerging risks, strengthen controls, support regulatory readiness, and influence sound business decisions.

As a member of the program, you'll work on meaningful projects that directly impact our customers, business performance, risk management practices, and strategic priorities. You'll gain exposure to multiple areas of the organization, participate in structured development opportunities, and build relationships with leaders and mentors who are invested in your success.

This program is designed for individuals who are curious, analytical, detail-oriented, and eager to learn how strong governance, risk management, compliance, and assurance practices support a healthy financial services organization. By the end of the experience, you'll have a strong foundation in the business, a practical understanding of the Lines of Defense model, and the skills needed to accelerate your career within Sallie Mae.

This opportunity is intended for students who will complete their Bachelor's or Master's degree between December 2026 and June 2027 and are available to begin full-time employment in June 2027 as part of our Early Career Development Program.

What You'll Do

Complete three 8-month rotational assignments across key Lines of Defense groups. Each rotation is designed to strengthen your understanding of the business, develop your risk and controls mindset, and build the analytical and communication skills needed to help teams identify issues, evaluate processes, and drive meaningful improvements.

Business Controls

• Learn how strong first-line controls help teams manage operational, process, and business risks before issues arise.
• Evaluate business practices, processes, and controls to identify potential risk areas and improvement opportunities
• Support issue identification, root cause analysis, remediation planning, and control enhancement efforts
• Partner with business teams to strengthen accountability, process discipline, and risk awareness
• Document observations, recommendations, and progress in a clear, action-oriented manner

Enterprise Risk Management

• Build a broader understanding of enterprise-wide risk frameworks, governance practices, and risk oversight across business lines.
• Support analysis of key business processes, emerging risks, and control environments
• Contribute to assessments that identify gaps, trends, and opportunities to reduce risk exposure
• Assist with risk reporting, governance materials, and leadership-ready insights
• Learn how enterprise risk practices inform strategic decisions and support responsible growth

Compliance

• Develop an understanding of the regulatory environment and how compliance programs help protect customers, the business, and Sallie Mae.
• Research regulatory expectations and help assess how they apply to business processes
• Support compliance monitoring, testing, issue tracking, and reporting activities
• Translate complex information into clear insights that help inform leadership decision-making
• Build awareness of consumer finance, operational compliance, and regulatory risk considerations

Internal Audit

• Gain exposure to independent assurance work that evaluates governance, risk management, and control effectiveness.
• Assist with planning and executing audit procedures, including walkthroughs, testing, and documentation
• Analyze evidence, identify themes, and summarize findings in a clear and professional manner
• Support reporting that helps leadership understand risks, control gaps, and recommended actions
• Develop professional skepticism, attention to detail, and sound judgment through hands-on audit work

Throughout the Program, You Will

• Solve meaningful business problems through risk-based, analytical, and process-oriented thinking
• Develop technical, analytical, communication, and consulting skills through hands-on experience
• Communicate findings and recommendations through presentations, reporting, and concise business writing
• Partner with stakeholders across multiple functions and business areas
• Participate in mentorship, networking, and leadership development opportunities
• Gain exposure to senior leaders and strategic business initiatives
• Join a cohort of high-performing early-career professionals committed to learning, growth, and collaboration

Required Qualifications

Education

• 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

Technical Skills

• Experience with SQL, Python, SAS, or similar programming languages through coursework, internships, research, or work experience
• Exposure to Power BI or other data visualization tools is a plus

Analytical Skills

• Strong analytical mindset with the ability to evaluate information, identify trends, and solve complex or ambiguous business problems
• Ability to develop hypotheses, organize work, interpret results, and translate findings into actionable recommendations

Communication Skills

• Ability to communicate complex information clearly and professionally to a range of audiences
• Strong written, verbal, presentation, and documentation skills

Collaboration & Leadership Potential

• Demonstrated initiative, adaptability, and willingness to learn
• Ability to collaborate effectively across teams, build strong working relationships, and contribute in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment
• Strong interpersonal skills and interest in developing leadership capability

Attention to Detail

• Commitment to accuracy, quality, documentation, and delivering high-value work

Growth Mindset

• Curiosity, resilience, professionalism, and enthusiasm for continuous learning
• Interest in building a career in risk management, compliance, controls, internal audit, governance, business analysis, or related fields

Preferred Experience

• Internship, co-op, research, leadership, or work experience involving finance, business analysis, compliance, audit, risk management, controls, data analysis, or related disciplines
• Exposure to analytical tools, reporting, process improvement, or documentation practices is a plus

Benefits

• 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