📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Senior Manager, Digital Marketing
🔹 Company: Sallie Mae
🔹 Location: Newark, DE (Hybrid)
🔹 Job Type: Full-Time
🔹 Category: Marketing
🔹 Date Posted: April 5, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 5+ years
🔹 Remote Status: On-site/Hybrid
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Leading integrated, full-funnel paid media and affiliate marketing efforts
- Optimizing performance across search, social, display, and affiliate channels
- Collaborating with cross-functional teams to align on goals and execution
- Mentoring and supporting junior team members
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strategic mindset, strong analytical skills, and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Oversee the planning, execution, and orchestration of paid media and affiliate marketing programs
✅ Manage integrated campaigns across search, social, display, and affiliate channels to drive acquisition, engagement, and monetization
✅ Drive investment and marketplace mix strategies, leveraging data insights to optimize ROI
✅ Lead segmentation, audience strategy, and alignment across paid media platforms to ensure effective and orchestrated targeting
✅ Design and implement testing frameworks for creative, targeting, and channel strategies, including piloting new tools, platforms, and formats
✅ Establish, track, analyze, and report on program performance, leveraging insights to optimize channel strategies
✅ Partner with organic social, content, digital operations, creative, analytics, marketplace, and other teams to align on goals and execution
✅ Mentor and support junior team members to foster growth and elevate execution
ASSUMPTION: This role involves a high degree of cross-functional collaboration and requires strong communication skills to work effectively with various teams.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in marketing, communications, or a related field
Experience: 5+ years of experience in performance marketing, with hands-on execution across paid search, social, and display
Required Skills:
- Proven track record of managing paid media budgets and hitting acquisition and efficiency targets
- Experience overseeing affiliate or partner marketing programs, including onboarding, performance management, and contract terms
- Ability to analyze data and use insights to drive decision-making
- Deep understanding of audience segmentation, funnel optimization, and testing frameworks
- Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, high-growth environment
- Proficiency in developing and presenting strategic plans and results to leadership
- Inherent bias for action and understanding the need for speed and urgency
Preferred Skills:
- Bachelor's degree in marketing, communications, or a related field. A master's degree is a plus.
- Background in lead generation or marketing in the education vertical
- Familiarity with marketing automation and audience targeting platforms
- Experience utilizing LTV models to drive value-based bidding
- Exposure to landing page testing, CRO, and SEO strategies
- Experience mentoring or managing junior team members
- Financial acumen and ability to understand P&L impacts
- A passion for exploring emerging platforms and technologies, with a demonstrated ability to discover and scale new traffic sources and ad channels
ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will have a strong background in performance marketing and a proven track record of driving results in a fast-paced environment.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $120,000 - $160,000 per year (Based on industry standards for a Senior Manager role in the Marketing field with 5+ years of experience in the Delaware area)
Benefits:
- Competitive base salaries
- Bonus incentives
- Generous PTO, Floating Holidays, and 12 Federal Holidays observed
- Support for financial well-being and retirement (401k with employer match)
- 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
Working Hours: Full-time, typically 40 hours per week, with some flexibility for hybrid work arrangement
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards and may vary depending on the candidate's experience and qualifications. The benefits listed are subject to change and may be updated by the employer.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Sallie Mae operates in the Financial Services industry, specifically focusing on college savings, planning, financial aid, and student loans.
Company Size: Sallie Mae has 1,001-5,000 employees, which means applicants can expect a mid-sized company structure with opportunities for growth and collaboration.
Founded: Sallie Mae was founded in 1972 and has since grown to become a leading provider of financing and expertise to support college access and completion.
Company Description:
- Sallie Mae's mission is to power confidence as students begin their unique journey, believing that college should be affordable, equitable, and accessible for all students.
- The company offers products and resources to help students and families start smart in planning for higher education, ensuring opportunities to learn and dream big.
- Sallie Mae is committed to providing financing and expertise to support college access and completion, acting as a leader in private student lending.
Company Specialties:
- College Savings
- College Planning
- Financial Aid
- Student Loans
- Scholarship
- Education Loans
- Banking
- Savings
- and credit card
Company Website: SallieMae.com
ASSUMPTION: Sallie Mae is a well-established company with a strong focus on supporting students and families throughout their educational journey.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: This role is at the senior management level, requiring strategic thinking, leadership, and experience in digital marketing.
Reporting Structure: The Senior Manager, Digital Marketing will report directly to the Vice President of Digital Marketing and will oversee a team of junior marketing professionals.
Work Arrangement: This role is a hybrid position, requiring on-site work at the Newark, DE office and the option to work remotely for some days.
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential to advance to a Director or Vice President role within the Marketing department
- Opportunities to expand the team's scope and influence within the organization
- Chance to develop leadership and mentoring skills by guiding junior team members
ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth potential for the right candidate, with opportunities to expand their impact and advance their career within the Marketing department.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Sallie Mae's headquarters is a modern, professional office environment with on-site amenities such as fitness centers and cafeterias.
Office Location(s): 300 Continental Drive, Newark, DE 19713, US (Primary location for this role)
Geographic Context:
- Newark, DE is located in the northeastern United States, approximately 30 minutes south of Wilmington, DE and 90 minutes south of Philadelphia, PA.
- The area offers a mix of urban and suburban living, with a variety of cultural attractions, outdoor recreation, and dining options.
- Newark is home to the University of Delaware, providing a vibrant college town atmosphere.
Work Schedule: The hybrid work arrangement allows for some flexibility in scheduling, with core hours typically between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM EST.
ASSUMPTION: The hybrid work arrangement offers a balance between on-site collaboration and remote flexibility, allowing employees to optimize their work environment based on their personal preferences and needs.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application and resume submission
- Phone or video screen with the Talent Acquisition team
- In-depth behavioral and skills-based interview with the hiring manager and/or team members
- Final interview with the Vice President of Digital Marketing
- Background check and offer extension
Key Assessment Areas:
- Strategic thinking and problem-solving skills
- Data analysis and interpretation abilities
- Leadership and team management skills
- Cross-functional collaboration and communication skills
- Understanding of digital marketing trends and best practices
Application Tips:
- Highlight relevant experience and achievements in digital marketing, with a focus on paid media and affiliate marketing
- Tailor your resume to emphasize skills and experiences that match the required qualifications
- Prepare for behavioral interview questions that focus on your problem-solving skills, leadership style, and ability to work in a fast-paced environment
- Research Sallie Mae's mission, values, and company culture to demonstrate your fit and enthusiasm for the role
ATS Keywords: Paid Media, Affiliate Marketing, Digital Marketing, Performance Marketing, Budget Management, ROI Optimization, Cross-Functional Collaboration, Team Leadership, Data Analysis, Strategic Planning
ASSUMPTION: The interview process will focus on assessing the candidate's strategic thinking, problem-solving skills, and cultural fit within the Marketing department.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Google Analytics
- Adobe Creative Suite
- Marketo
- Salesforce
- Google Ads
- Facebook Ads
- LinkedIn Ads
- Affiliate tracking platforms (e.g., CJ Affiliate, Impact Radius)
ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will have experience with industry-standard marketing tools and platforms, with a focus on paid media and affiliate marketing.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Customer-centric: Putting customers first in everything we do
- Inclusive: Embracing diversity and fostering an environment where everyone can thrive
- Innovative: Pushing boundaries and challenging the status quo
- Collaborative: Working together to achieve more
- Accountable: Taking ownership and delivering on our promises
Work Style:
- Fast-paced and dynamic, with a focus on quick decision-making and execution
- Data-driven, with a strong emphasis on performance analysis and optimization
- Collaborative, with a focus on cross-functional teamwork and communication
- Adaptable, with a willingness to pivot and adjust strategies based on changing market conditions
Self-Assessment Questions:
- Do you have a proven track record of driving results in a fast-paced, data-driven environment?
- Are you comfortable managing multiple priorities and working with cross-functional teams to achieve common goals?
- Do you have a strong understanding of audience segmentation, funnel optimization, and testing frameworks?
- Are you passionate about exploring emerging platforms and technologies, with a demonstrated ability to discover and scale new traffic sources and ad channels?
ASSUMPTION: Sallie Mae values candidates who are strategic, data-driven, and collaborative, with a strong commitment to customer-centric and inclusive principles.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing a team of junior marketing professionals with varying levels of experience and skillsets
- Balancing the need for quick decision-making with the importance of thorough data analysis and strategic planning
- Navigating a hybrid work arrangement, which may present unique communication and collaboration challenges
- Adapting to a dynamic and evolving digital marketing landscape, with a constant need to stay up-to-date on emerging trends and best practices
ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will be comfortable managing multiple priorities, working in a fast-paced environment, and adapting to change.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- Unlike other marketing roles, this position focuses specifically on paid media and affiliate marketing, requiring a deep understanding of these channels and their optimization
- Sallie Mae's focus on the education vertical presents unique opportunities and challenges, requiring a strong understanding of the student and family customer journey
- Career progression in this role may involve expanding into other marketing channels or advancing to a leadership position within the Marketing department
ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique blend of strategic, data-driven, and collaborative work, with a focus on driving results in the paid media and affiliate marketing channels.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and executing a full-funnel paid media campaign to drive new member acquisition and engagement for Sallie Mae's Education Services
- Optimizing affiliate marketing programs to improve performance and maximize ROI, including onboarding new partners and negotiating contract terms
- Conducting A/B tests on ad creative, targeting, and bidding strategies to identify and implement best practices for Sallie Mae's paid media channels
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects illustrate the strategic, data-driven, and collaborative nature of the Senior Manager, Digital Marketing role at Sallie Mae.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- Can you describe the team structure and dynamics within the Marketing department, and how this role fits into the broader organizational context?
- How does Sallie Mae support the professional development and growth of its employees, particularly within the Marketing department?
- What are the most significant challenges facing the Marketing department in the next 12-24 months, and how does this role contribute to addressing those challenges?
- How does Sallie Mae measure the success of its digital marketing efforts, and what key performance indicators (KPIs) are most critical for this role?
- What opportunities exist for collaboration and knowledge-sharing with other departments within Sallie Mae, such as Product, Technology, or Customer Service?
ASSUMPTION: Asking thoughtful, insightful questions demonstrates your interest in the role and commitment to understanding the organization's goals and culture.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your resume to highlight relevant experience and skills, with a focus on paid media and affiliate marketing
- Prepare a cover letter that demonstrates your enthusiasm for the role and alignment with Sallie Mae's mission and values
- If applicable, provide examples of your portfolio or previous marketing campaigns to showcase your skills and achievements
- Follow up with the Talent Acquisition team one week after submitting your application to inquire about your application status
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
