Director, 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, Collections Strategy will play a pivotal role in shaping and executing the Recovery and Collections Contact 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. This role can be located in our Newark, DE office or our Sterling, VA office with a planned move to Arlington, VA in Fall 2026. What You'll DoDevelop and Execute Collections StrategyDesign and implement comprehensive post-default recovery strategies across all collection's channels (in-house collections, external agencies, attorney network).Continuously evaluate and enhance collections contact strategies including the development and build-out of AI capabilities.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 DefenseLeads 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 AnalyticsPartner closely with cross functional teams to ensure collections strategies are compliant and data driven.Develop and monitor key performance metrics to measure performance and effectiveness across various channels.Drive continuous improvement in collections processes, tools, and systems to enhance team productivity and recovery outcomes.Prioritize and support team projects and initiatives.Assists with training and recruitment of new staff.Lead and Mentor a High-Performing Collections TeamBuild and lead a team of collections professionals, ensuring they are motivated, skilled, and aligned with business objectives.Develop training programs to ensure staff stays current with industry best practices, regulatory changes, and evolving collection strategies.Foster a culture of accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement across the collections function.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 haveBachelor’s Degree, Business, Economics or related field or equivalent work experience.10+ years of experience in financial services.Previous collections and/or recovery risk experience.Strong understanding of U.S. consumer protection laws, credit regulations, and industry best practices (e.g., Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, FDCPA).Proficient in SAS, SQL & Microsoft Office products.Experience with financial forecasting, modeling processes and managing internal & external control requirements.Strong analytic & problem-solving skills.Experience working with credit and financial models.Proven ability to communicate technical information effectively to all audience levels in a concise manner.Ability to build and maintain strong relationships with internal and external partners, promoting a collaborative and positive work environment.Strong communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to build relationships across business units.Ability to operate in a fast- paced, time-sensitive environment effectively managing multiple and changing priorities.The Americans with Disabilities ActThe Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) prohibits discrimination by employers, in compensation and employment opportunities, against qualified individuals with disabilities who, with or without reasonable accommodation, can perform the “essential functions” of a job. A function may be essential for any of several reasons, including: the job exists to perform that function, the employee holding the job was hired for his/her expertise in performing the function, or only a limited number of employees are available to perform that function.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 observedSupport for financial-well-being and retirement 401k with employer matchComprehensive medical, dental, vision, hospital indemnity, critical illness, pet insurance and moreEmployer paid short-term/long-term disability and basic life insurance Flexible hybrid working arrangements.Paid parental leave and adoption reimbursement programsFree 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 incentivesTuition Reimbursement and Family Scholarship ProgramsCareer development and training opportunitiesNot the right fit? Let us know you're interested in a future opportunity by clicking Introduce Yourself in the top-right corner of the page or create an account to set up email alerts as new job postings become available that meet your interest!Sallie Mae is proud to be an equal opportunity (EEO) employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, genetic information, gender identity, disability, Veteran status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. Click here to view the U.S. Pay Transparency Policy, here for federal job applicant notices, and here to view the California Employee Privacy Notice.Reasonable accommodations are available for applicants with disabilities in all phases of the application and employment process. To request an accommodation please call View phone number on us.fitly.work and choose option 9. All information you provide will be kept confidential and will be used only to the extent required to provide needed reasonable accommodations.SummaryLocation: Newark, DE; Sterling, VAType: Full time