Director, Associate General Counsel; Transactions

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.

We are seeking an experienced, business-savvy transactional attorney to join our legal team. The ideal candidate will have a background in transactions and commercial law, and will be a subject matter expert in business transactions, commercial contracts, contract negotiations, and incident response. They will play a key role in supporting the day-to-day operations of our procurement and business continuity functions, and will be located at either Sallie Mae’s Newark, Delaware headquarters office or its Sterling, Virginia office.

• Procurement and Vendor Management

• • Provide legal advice and strategic advisory support for the day-to-day operations of Sallie Mae’s Procurement, Vendor Management Office ("VMO"), and related functions.

  • Ensure the timely and accurate review of contracts and transactional items.

  • Support the legal aspects of business and financial transactions, to accelerate business objectives while ensuring compliance with regulations and mitigating future litigation risk.

  • Draft, review and negotiate complex commercial agreements, including sales agreements, master service agreements, vendor agreements, participation agreements, joint marketing agreements, IT agreements, nondisclosure agreements, and license agreements.

• • Analyze and identify relevant contract terms and conditions, and perform risk assessment at appropriate levels for contract scope.

  • Develop and implement training and education programs, policies and procedures related to commercial transactions, and contracting processes.

  • Identify process enhancements and create templates and playbooks where appropriate.

• Incident Response and Cybersecurity

• • Provide legal advice and support to Information Security, Risk Management, and others relating to cybersecurity, incident response, and business continuity.

  • Provide advice to internal clients and stakeholders regarding cybersecurity laws and other business continuity areas in connection with Sallie Mae’s business and compliance requirements.

  • Support periodic cybersecurity/business continuity tabletop exercises for various audiences within the company.

  • Participate in the annual review of cyber liability insurance for the enterprise and support the insurance application and renewal process.

• Develop Staff and Serve as a Leader

• • Take direct responsibility for the growth and development of the team’s non-lawyer paraprofessionals.

  • Contribute to department and company programs and projects as requested.

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…