Lead UX / UI Designer

Lead UX / UI Designer - Sallie Mae

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 studentsand 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 youfrom 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

Are you a bold, creative thinker who loves solving problems through innovative technology solutions? Are you passionate about customer strategy, digital design, and creating seamless experiences across platforms? We are seeking a motivated design enthusiast to join our growing team at Sallie Mae.

As we transform from a traditional student loan provider into a comprehensive education services company, you'll play an essential role in designing digital experiences that support students throughout their entire education journeyfrom planning for college and applying for financial aid, to managing finances during school, and achieving success after graduation.

In this role, you'll be responsible for creating user-centered experiences across our consumer-facing digital touchpoints, including web, mobile, tablet, and app experiences. You'll work as part of a cross-functional team, collaborating closely with business stakeholders, content strategists, copywriters, researchers, and development teams to bring innovative solutions to life.

What You'll Do

Product Design & Experience Development

• 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

Design System & Standards

Research & Strategy

Collaboration & Communication

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

Preferred Education, Skills, and Experience

How You'll Grow

At Sallie Mae, our professional development plan focuses on helping people at every level of their career to identify and use their strengths to do their best work every day. From entry-level employees to senior leaders, we believe there's always room to learn. We offer opportunities to help sharpen skills in addition to hands-on experience in the global, fast-changing business world. From on-the-job learning experiences to formal development programs, our professionals have a variety of opportunities to continue to grow throughout their career.

What You'll Get at Sallie Mae

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 the function, or only a limited number of employees are available to perform that function.

Our Benefits Take Care of the Whole YouSo You Can Build Your Work Around Your Life (Not the Other Way Around!)