Senior Associate, Internal Audit, Data Analytics

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.

• Sallie Mae's Internal Auditing (IA) department works to promote an effective control environment through risk-based audits, internal controls testing, pre-implementation reviews, special projects, and risk and control education. To promote a strong risk and control environment, IA applies data analytics to its audits and reviews. Providing data solutions requires defining the business problem/risk statement, gathering the business intelligence/data, and making informed conclusion through the use analytical tools and methodologies available.
  
  The IA Senior Data Analyst will carry out the process of obtaining, organizing, and delivering on data requests for various Internal Audit projects and special initiatives. This position will also participate in the planning, organization, and completion of Internal Audit projects to review and evaluate various internal controls business processes as needed to assess the reliability of financial data, safeguarding of assets and records, and adherence to policies and procedures.
  
  The positions responsibilities include:
  
  1. Assist in identifying and developing new analytics (descriptive, diagnostic and prescriptive) to support risk and control conclusions on an audit basis
  
  2. Maintain existing data analytics projects and develop new projects that support the execution and administration of Internal Audit's mission and annual plan
  
  3. Query, link, validate and then analyze data across multiple databases with a keen eye on data integrity
  
  4. Participate in brainstorming and creation of ad-hoc/continuous monitoring reporting as needed to support internal investigations, special projects and the on-going monitoring of fraud risks
  
  5. Work with and support various internal and external customers to provide the information they need for various special projects, process audits, anti-fraud initiatives or internal investigations
  
  6. Lead efforts to training other Data Analytics and/or Internal Audit personnel on the execution/use of DA techniques
  
  7. Evaluate and expand continuous monitoring capabilities to improve efficiency and effectiveness
  
  8. Mentor Data Analytics staff through the development and presentation of key learning/results
  
  9. Coordinate and communicate effectively with internal & external auditors, Sallie Mae management, and other key stakeholders, as necessary, to meet above objectives
  
  10. With the support of the Audit Manager or Audit leadership, engage in special projects, critical process reviews, and investigations as necessary

What You'll Do

• Support data analytics needs on various operational, financial, regulatory, and technology Internal Audits.
  
  • With the assistance of Data Analytics manager, supports development and timely delivery of analytics on numerous audits and special projects concurrently.
  • Utilizes advanced understanding of multiple data structures and data sources to develop new analytics.
  • Works closely with members of audit teams to obtain requirements, understand business processes, understand data flow and lineage.
  • Conducts interviews and inquiries with auditees to understand business processes, technology and data to support audit scope and objectives.
  • Provides expertise in data analytics for audit and risk management.
    
    • In the planning phase of an audit, develop analysis to provide useful data insights (through data visualization and data modeling techniques) to support the development of the scope and objectives and to identify risks and control weaknesses.
    • In the execution phase, develop complex data analysis with the support of DA manager. Also, provide continual guidance to the staff/senior auditors (i.e. understand the data, perform 100% population testing, and/or perform robust statistical sampling).
  • Proactively holds discussions with the audit manager and DA manager to brainstorm on the complex analysis, develop the logic and script/code, discuss limitations and any potential issues.
  • Communicates effectively with the audit team at the audit, department and leadership level to present test results and potential findings.
  • Provides quality service to stakeholders, which includes obtaining and demonstrating a strong understanding of the business process and the associated data.
• Assist with maintaining the Data Analytics program and its activities
  
  • Demonstrates practical understanding of data analysis concepts and basic programming techniques. Provide technical expertise on data mapping, data extraction, data cleansing, data mining and analysis.
  • Develops and maintain complex analytics to support continuous auditing and monitoring activities.
  • Develops new BI solutions and maintain existing solutions to support data extraction and analysis (for end users).
  • Develops new trainings and conduct existing trainings on a regular basis to encourage and facilitate widespread use of analytics within the audit team.
  • Performs data validation to ensure the completeness and accuracy of the data extracted and maintain the integrity of the extracted data if it is stored on IA's shared drive.
  • Demonstrates ability to understand complex and diverse technology infrastructure and identify sources and tools needed to deliver analysis and reports.
• Lead the continued development of IA's Data Analytic capabilities, execution of special projects, critical process reviews, and investigations as necessary.
  
  • Oversees the day to day activities of the IA Data Specialist
  • Leads efforts to educate/train the IA Data Analyst and other IA team members on the effective use of Data Analytic tools and techniques
• Serve as the resident expert and liaison to all others serving in DA function
  
  • Maintains knowledge of best practices by participating in educational opportunities, reading professional publications, performing benchmarking, maintaining networks and participating in professional organizations.
  • Collaborates with various DA teams (internal) to promote knowledge sharing and integrity of source data.

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

• Undergraduate or Graduate degree in Technology, Data Science, Mathematics, Accounting, Information Systems or Finance
• Ability to coach, mentor and develop data analytics skills
• 3+ years of hands on experience in performing analysis on large data sets (including data gathering and profiling, data mapping, data mining, test data creation, data validation, anomaly detection, code/script validation and visualization)
• Experience in banking, financial services, or student loan industry
• 2+ years of experience using one or more of the following tools (SAS, Snowflake, python and SSMS)
• 2+ years of experience using Tableau (Intermediate to advanced level).
• Experience with one or more RPA technologies (e.g. UiPath, Automation Anywhere, Blue Prism).
• Strong Problem-Solving and Analytical Skills.
• Ability to work independently with limited required direction and guidance, with competency to take initiative and utilize independent judgement.
• Proven ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously to deliver analytics needs.
• Ability to understand complex and diverse technology infrastructure as it relates to data flows and business processes.
• Effective communication, leadership and time management skills with the ability to act autonomously while being a team player.
• Strong planning and organizational skills.
• Proven analytical and problem-solving skills with attention to details.

Preferred Education, Skills and Experience

• Relevant certification (e.g., CPA, CISA, CIA or any programming certification).

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.

Not the right fit? Let us know you're interested in a future opportunity by clicking Introduce Yourself in the top-right corner of the page or create an account to set up email alerts as new job postings become available that meet your interest!

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 and choose option 9. All information you provide will be kept confidential and will be used only to the extent required to provide needed reasonable accommodations.