Senior Director, Underwriting Strategies

SLM Education Services LLC; Newark (DE); On-site; USD 130,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive base salaries

Bonus incentives

Generous PTO and federal holidays

401(k) with employer match

Comprehensive medical and dental insurance

Flexible hybrid working arrangements

Job summary

SLM Education Services LLC is seeking a Senior Director of Underwriting Strategy in Newark, Delaware. This role is pivotal in leading the design and implementation of innovative credit underwriting strategies, ensuring robust risk management practices.

The ideal candidate will possess strong leadership and analytical skills, with a track record of managing teams and influencing cross-functional stakeholders within the consumer lending domain.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in credit risk or underwriting strategy.
• Proven leadership experience managing teams.
• Strong understanding of regulatory frameworks.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement underwriting strategies.
• Lead a team of underwriting strategy professionals.
• Conduct analysis of credit performance.

Skills

Leadership

Analytical skills

Credit risk assessment

Data-driven decision making

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Economics, Business, or related field

Job description

Senior Director of Underwriting Strategy

The Senior Director of Underwriting Strategy will lead the design, development, and implementation of credit underwriting strategies across the organization. This role is responsible for ensuring robust risk management practices through innovative approaches to underwriting strategies, income verification, capacity to repay analysis, and cross‑functional collaboration. The position requires strategic leadership, analytical expertise, and the ability to drive execution from concept through implementation.

What You’ll Do

• Strategy Development & Execution (30%): Design and implement underwriting strategies aligned with regulatory requirements and business objectives; develop and optimize income verification frameworks leveraging data‑driven insights; oversee capacity‑to‑repay methodologies, ensuring compliance with risk appetite and fair‑lending standards.
• Leadership & Collaboration (30%): Lead and mentor a team of underwriting strategy professionals; partner with cross‑functional teams (Credit Risk, Product, Compliance, Technology) to ensure seamless strategy integration; represent underwriting strategy in governance forums and provide effective challenge on proposed changes.
• Analysis & Continuous Improvement (20%): Conduct in‑depth analysis of credit performance, market trends, and regulatory feedback to refine strategies; monitor and report on strategy effectiveness, implementing enhancements as needed; drive automation and process improvements to enhance customer experience and operational efficiency.
• Governance & Compliance (20%): Ensure adherence to internal policies, standards, and regulatory requirements (ECOA, UDAAP, FDIC guidelines); maintain documentation of underwriting standards and manage exceptions approval process.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Economics, Business, or related field.
• 10+ years of experience in credit risk, underwriting strategy, or related functions within consumer lending.
• Proven leadership experience managing teams and influencing cross‑functional stakeholders.
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills with proficiency in data‑driven decision making.
• Deep understanding of regulatory frameworks and risk‑management principles.

Preferred Qualifications

• Expertise in credit scoring models and decisioning systems.
• Familiarity with income verification automation and capacity‑to‑repay methodologies.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills for executive‑level reporting.

Benefits

• Competitive base salaries
• Bonus incentives
• Generous PTO, floating holidays, and 12 federal holidays observed
• Support for financial‑well‑being and retirement (401(k) with employer match)
• Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, hospital indemnity, critical illness, pet insurance, etc.
• 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 other locations)
• Confidential counseling support (EAP), health advocacy services, and wellness program with financial incentives
• Tuition reimbursement and family scholarship programs
• Career development and training opportunities

Equal Employment Opportunity

Sallie Mae is a proud equal‑opportunity 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.

Americans with Disabilities Act

The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 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. Reasonable accommodations are available for applicants with disabilities in all phases of the application and employment process. To request an accommodation, please call (855) 756‑2007 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.