About the position
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.
Responsibilities
- Lead design efforts on projects from concept to implementation, taking full ownership of work throughout the process
- Create user-centered experiences grounded in research insights, competitive analysis, and UX best practices
- Develop design artifacts including journey maps, wireframes, user flows, interactive prototypes, and high-fidelity mockups
- Deliver detailed design specifications and documentation for development teams
- Work closely with developers to ensure designs are implemented according to specifications
- Provide a voice for customers within the Sallie Mae team, advocating for user needs
- Contribute to and enhance our internal design system library within Figma
- Help maintain design consistency across products and experiences
- Document patterns and component guidelines for team use
- Apply systematic thinking to complex design problems
- Conduct competitive analysis and stay updated on industry best practices
- Identify opportunities to improve customer/consumer experiences
- Support heuristic evaluations, A/B testing, and design validation
- Participate in business walkthroughs and stakeholder interviews
- Collaborate with our research team to implement insights into design solutions
- Partner with content strategists and copywriters to create cohesive experiences
- Present design solutions to stakeholders and executives with clear rationale
- Communicate effectively with both technical and non-technical audiences
- Facilitate high-level strategic decisions with buy-in from multiple disciplines
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience
- 5+ years of experience in user experience design, interaction design, UI design, and/or digital product design
- Proficiency in Figma and Adobe Creative Suite
- Strong portfolio demonstrating experience designing complex systems across multiple platforms
- Excellence in visual design with an understanding of design principles and accessibility standards
- Experience documenting and annotating complex interactions for development teams
- Excellent written, presentation, and verbal communication skills
- Ability to work collaboratively across disciplines and organizational levels
- Self-starter with strong project management skills who delivers work on time
- Growth mindset with a willingness to learn new tools and approaches
Nice-to-haves
- Experience in financial services or education technology
- Knowledge of design thinking methodologies
- Understanding of agile development processes
- Background in conversion optimization and/or e-commerce
Benefits
- Healthcare Benefits: medical, dental, vision plans
- Financial Well-being: 401K company match, Employee Stock purchase plan, and basic life insurance
- Work-life Balance: Generous paid time off, time off to volunteer, tuition reimbursement
- Family Support: After 6 months of employment, primary caregivers receive 12 weeks of fully paid time off, and secondary caregivers receive 4 weeks for birth or adoption
- Wellness Programs: Fitness center, gym subsidies, free Fitbits with step challenges, and wellness education
- Competitive base salaries
- Bonus incentives
- Generous PTO, Floating Holidays and 12 Federal Holidays observed
- Support for financial-well-being and retirement
- 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
