Senior Manager, Accounts Payable

Sallie Mae; Sterling (VA); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive base salaries

Bonus incentives

Generous PTO and holidays

401k with employer match

Medical benefits and wellness program

Tuition reimbursement and training

Job summary

Sallie Mae is seeking a Sr. Manager, Accounts Payable to lead and optimize the AP function across offices in Newark, DE, Sterling, VA, with a planned move to Arlington, VA in Fall 2026.

The role requires strong accounting acumen, analytics, and team leadership to ensure accurate and timely payments and financial reporting. You will partner with Procurement, Vendor Management, Accounting, and IT to align processes, manage month-end closes, and drive automation initiatives while maintaining

Qualifications

• Proven track record of managing and optimizing finance operations, including financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, and compliance.
• Experience with financial systems and tools (Workday ERP, financial reporting software), with strong proficiency in Excel and data analysis.
• Familiarity with GAAP, SOX, and other regulatory and compliance requirements.
• Strong leadership and people-management skills with the ability to drive results in a fast-paced environment.
• MBA or CPA/CMA certifications are a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead AP team and optimize processes to improve accuracy and timeliness of payments.
• Develop and implement strategies to enhance efficiency and scalability of the payments function.
• Partner with stakeholders to align financial processes and objectives across departments.
• Oversee month-end close activities related to A/P and ensure data integrity.
• Identify and implement process improvements to reduce costs and increase automation.
• Set KPIs to drive performance and maintain high-quality outputs.

Skills

Finance ops leadership

Data analysis

Team leadership

Excel proficiency

Regulatory compliance

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Finance or Accounting

Tools

Workday ERP

Excel

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 Sr. Manager, Accounts Payable will be responsible for leading and optimizing the Accounts Payable function and managing the payments programs. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in accounting, excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, and the ability to manage a team effectively. They will also have an in-depth understanding of Workday Financial systems, financial reporting requirements and be able to stay up to date on changes to accounting regulations and industry trends.

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 Do

• Lead and manage the Accounts Payable team, fostering a culture of excellence, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Develop and implement strategies to enhance the efficiency and scalability of payments function including planning, forecasting, and reporting.
• Partner with key stakeholders (e.g. Procurement, Vendor Management, Accounting, FP&A, Treasury, IT) to ensure alignment of financial processes and objectives.
• Oversee the day-to-day operations of processes, ensuring accuracy and timeliness in payment processing, financial reporting, transaction processing, and data reconciliation.
• Ensure timely and accurate month-end close activities related to A/P.
• Identify and implement process improvements to streamline workflows, enhance automation, and reduce operational costs.
• Establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) to drive performance improvements and ensure high-quality output.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant accounting standards, regulations, and internal policies, mitigating risks and safeguarding the company’s financial integrity.
• Develop and maintain accounting policies and procedures to ensure accurate and timely financial reporting.

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 education, skills and experience required.

• Proven track record of managing and optimizing finance operations, including financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, and compliance.
• Experience with financial systems and tools (Workday ERP, financial reporting software, etc.), with strong proficiency in Excel and data analysis.
• Familiarity with GAAP, SOX, and other regulatory and compliance requirements.
• Strong critical thinking and analytical skills, with the ability to drive results and navigate complex financial challenges. A proactive approach to problem-solving and process optimization.
• Strong ability to prioritize and manage multiple initiatives in a fast-paced environment.
• Proven ability to lead and motivate a team. Excellent people management skills, with a focus on coaching, development, and fostering a positive team culture.
• Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across departments and at all levels of the organization.
• High attention to detail with the ability to manage multiple priorities and ensure accuracy in financial operations.

Preferred education, skills, and experience.

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or a related field. MBA or professional certifications (e.g., CPA, CMA) is a plus.
• 7+ years of experience in finance or accounting, with at least 3 years in a leadership role managing finance operations teams.

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 retirement401k 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

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 [phone] and choose option 9. All information you provide will be kept confidential and will be used only to the extent required to provide needed‑… ...??