NAELA's CareerCenter

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Sallie Mae has engaged Major, Lindsey & Africa on an exclusive basis to conduct a search for Vice President and Deputy General Counsel to be located either at its Newark, DE headquarters or its Northern Virginia office. Sallie Mae is an equal opportunity employer. Please do not contact Sallie Mae directly.

Company Overview: SLM Corporation, more commonly known as Sallie Mae, is the premier financial brand in higher education. Its mission is to power confidence as students begin their unique journey. Sallie Mae simplifies the college planning process by providing tools, resources, and information to help students and families make informed decisions and to improve access and support college completion through their scholarship programs and responsible financing options. While the Sallie Mae name has existed for more than 40 years, the company that operates as Sallie Mae today, SLM Corporation, was formed in late 2013 and includes its wholly-owned subsidiary, Sallie Mae Bank, an industrial bank established in 2005.  

Position Overview: The Vice President and Deputy General Counsel will be a member of the Legal, Government Affairs, and Corporate Communication function’s leadership team, reporting directly to the Chief Legal, Government Affairs, and Communications Officer. This position will have regular exposure to Sallie Mae’s executive management team as they contribute to meaningful outcomes that drive Sallie Mae’s strategic imperatives. This position will call on the ability to oversee a broad range of legal areas and provide guidance and advice related to Sallie Mae’s compliance with laws, regulations, and contractual requirements, and help navigate governance and risk frameworks.

Responsibilities include legal support for various business relationships, third-party partnerships, banking activities, privacy, intellectual property, and a range of internal governance functions. This position will work with cross-functional teams and provide comprehensive solutions to problems or needs, and will have extensive contact with internal customers, senior management, and outside counsel. The Deputy General Counsel will initially directly manage a team of three lawyers and legal professionals, with additional opportunity for portfolio expansion. 

Experience: 10+ years of broad-based legal experience in private practice and/or in an in-house legal department. Banking or consumer finance industry experience is strongly preferred.

Compensation: Competitive base, bonus, and equity commensurate with experience.

Location: Newark, DE headquarters, or Northern Virginia Office.

Relos: Yes, this is a national search. 

Bar: Must be licensed and in good standing with any state bar, with ability to obtain Delaware or Virginia in-house bar admission.