Senior Associate, Financial Planning & Analysis

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.

About the role

The Senior Associate, Financial Planning and Analysis will assist in analyzing financial data, forecasting financial performance, and providing insights to support business decision-making. The ideal candidate should possess strong analytical skills, experience in financial modeling, and excellent communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Assist in financial planning and analysis processes, including budgeting, forecasting, and reporting.
• Prepare recurring executive management reporting, including actual-versus-budget analyses, forecast updates, headcount reporting, and presentation materials.
• Conduct financial analysis to evaluate investments and initiatives, providing transparency into spend, benefits realization, and forward-looking risks.
• Support financial system enhancements, data validation, reporting automation, and process improvement initiatives to increase efficiency and strengthen controls.
• Leverage AI-enabled tools, automation, and advanced analytics to improve forecasting accuracy, streamline reporting processes, enhance financial insights, and increase overall team efficiency.
• Work collaboratively with cross-functional teams to support business initiatives.

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.

Requirements

Minimum

• Strong analytical skills and experience with financial modeling.
• Experience in budgeting, forecasting, and reporting.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams.
• Proficiency in Excel and financial analysis tools.

Preferred

• Bachelor's degree in finance, accounting, or related field.
• 3+ years of experience in financial planning and analysis.
• Experience with AI-enabled productivity tools such as Copilot, Power BI, Adaptive Planning, Workday, or similar analytics and planning platforms.

Benefits

Feeling your best helps you do your best. Our benefits take care of the whole you—so you can build your work around your life (not the other way around!).

• 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