Credit Risk Strategist Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

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, Credit Risk serves as a key leader within the Second Line of Defense (2LOD), providing independent oversight, credible effective challenge, and governance support across the credit life cycle. This role is responsible for assessing credit risk practices, portfolio trends, risk appetite alignment, and control effectiveness to ensure the organization's credit strategies across the credit lifecycle remain safe, sound, data-driven, and compliant with evolving regulatory expectations. The Director will partner closely with First Line business teams while maintaining independence, contribute to executive and committee-level risk reporting, and support regulatory examinations and audit activities.

What You'll Do

• Provide effective challenge to First Line credit strategies, assumptions, control frameworks, and portfolio actions; document conclusions and escalate concerns as appropriate.
• Conduct independent credit risk assessments and thematic reviews across origination, servicing, loss mitigation, and recovery activities, identifying emerging credit risks and exposure across the credit life cycle.
• Assess adherence to credit policies, risk appetite statements, underwriting standards, and concentration limits, recommending enhancements where misalignment is observed.
• Lead oversight of the Risk Appetite for credit risk by monitoring and reporting on key risk indicators (KRIs), portfolio trends, and emerging risks, ensuring accuracy, consistency, and executive-readiness.
• Deliver independent oversight and effective challenge to business line strategies, risk assessments, and control frameworks.
• Provide second-line oversight of credit strategy and decisioning frameworks across the lifecycle, including policies, analytics, and supporting models/tools, with an emphasis on governance, performance outcomes, and risk alignment.
• Collaborate with various internal stakeholders, such as finance, originations, and collections teams, to ensure alignment of credit risk objectives and practices.
• Support governance and validation of Allowance for Credit Losses (ACL) methodologies and assumptions.
• Collaborate with Compliance, Internal Audit, and Operational Risk to ensure comprehensive risk coverage.
• Prepare and present risk reports to senior management, risk committees, and regulatory bodies.
• Drive adoption of advanced analytics and reporting tools to enhance risk identification, monitoring, and reporting.
• Mentor and develop future risk leaders within the organization.

What You Have

• Minimum: Indicate minimum education, skills and experience required. Bachelor's degree in Finance, Economics, Business, or a related field; advanced degree or certifications (CRC, FRM, CFA) preferred.
• Minimum 7+ years of experience in first line or second line credit management within the financial services industry, with a strong focus on the credit life cycle.
• Demonstrated experience and strong understanding of lines of defense responsibilities and risk governance frameworks.
• In-depth knowledge of consumer and/or commercial lending products (e.g., student loans, mortgages, credit cards, small business).
• Proven ability to challenge constructively and influence cross-functional stakeholders.
• Strong understanding of U.S. banking regulations and supervisory expectations.
• Exceptional analytical, communication, problem-solving, and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to think strategically and make informed decisions.
• Proficiency in analytics, using Python, SAS, SQL, and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Proven ability to communicate complex analytics to executive audiences.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to influence across functions.
• High integrity, sound judgment, and ability to handle confidential information with discretion.
• Preferred Skills Experience with credit models or risk governance frameworks, risk appetite statements, and issue management. Experience with segmentation strategy, vendor management, and regulatory exam support.

Join a forward-thinking team where your expertise will directly influence the bank's risk posture and portfolio quality. You'll have the opportunity to lead strategic initiatives, mentor future leaders, and shape best practices in credit risk management. Your work will be highly visible to executive management and will play a critical role in the bank's long-term success.