Senior Associate, Financial Planning & Analysis

Sallie Mae; Virginia; Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 135,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive base salaries

Bonus incentives

Generous PTO, Floating Holidays and 12

Federal Holidays observed

401k with employer match

Comprehensive benefits package

Disability and life insurance

Flexible hybrid working arrangements

Paid parental leave

Job summary

Sallie Mae is seeking a Senior Associate, Financial Planning and Analysis to help analyze financial data, forecast performance, and provide insights for strategic decisions. You will partner with cross-functional teams to drive budgeting, reporting, and financial modeling.

The role emphasizes leveraging AI-enabled tools, improving processes, and ensuring accuracy in executive communications. A strong analytical mindset and clear communication are essential in this hybrid, US-based position.

Qualifications

• 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.

Responsibilities

• Assist in budgeting, forecasting, and reporting processes.
• Prepare recurring executive management reporting with actual-versus-budget analyses.
• Conduct financial analysis to evaluate investments and initiatives.
• Support system enhancements, data validation, and process improvements.
• Leverage AI-enabled tools to improve forecasting accuracy and reporting.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to support business initiatives.

Skills

Strong analytical skills

Budgeting and forecasting

Communication and presentation

Cross-functional collaboration

Excel and financial analysis tools

Education

Bachelor's degree in finance or accounting

Tools

Power BI

Adaptive Planning

Workday

Copilot / AI productivity tools

Job description

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 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.

What You'll Do

• 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._

What you have

Minimum: Indicate minimum education, skills and experience required.

• 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: Indicate "nice to haves" regarding education, skills, and experience.

• 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.

The Americans with Disabilities Act

_The 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 that 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 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