Director, Internal Communications

Sallie Mae • Sterling, VA

90d • Hybrid

About The Position

Our company is in an exciting period of growth that calls for stronger internal alignment that deepens the connection between employees, our mission, and our strategic priorities, while also supporting thoughtful executive communication externally to reinforce our story and strengthen our reputation. To support this work, we are seeking a Director to help advance and elevate our internal communications efforts supporting the development and delivery of clear, compelling employee communications and collaborating with executives and various teams across the business to extend key messages to internal and external audiences, as appropriate. In this role, you will help employees understand company strategy and how their work contributes to our goals, while also providing support to external communications, as needed. The ideal candidate brings exceptional writing and storytelling skills, sound and strategic business acumen, and the ability to translate complex topics into relevant, actionable messages. The Director will develop a broad range of content, including company-wide communications, executive messaging, articles, talking points, profiles, internal newsletters, video and digital content, and internal publications. The Director will also track and report on engagement and effectiveness across internal communications, using insights to drive continuous improvement.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, or a related field, or equivalent work experience
• 10+ years of experience in internal and/or executive communications, including developing communication strategies and materials
• Ability to manage and develop people, providing clear direction, feedback, and support
• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft tools, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Canva, Adobe Acrobat, and SharePoint
• Exceptional writing, editing, and storytelling skills across formats and channels, with strong grammar, proofreading, and AP style
• Ability to translate complex business, economic, and industry topics into clear, audience‑appropriate messages
• Strong strategic messaging skills, with the judgment to tailor content based on audience, channel, and objective
• Highly organized, with experience managing editorial calendars, tracking communication effectiveness, and driving continuous improvement
• Demonstrates executive presence and delivers communications with clarity, confidence, and sophistication
• Strong understanding of business strategy and brand, or the ability to quickly develop this knowledge
• Proven ability to advise senior leaders and align communications with organizational priorities and goals
• Strong critical‑thinking and problem‑solving skills, with the ability to identify risks, opportunities, and messaging implications
• Superior attention to detail and accuracy, recognizing that communications are widely shared and shape employee experience and internal brand perception
• Comfortable managing multiple projects simultaneously and prioritizing effectively in a fast‑paced, performance‑driven environment
• Resourceful and self‑directed, with the initiative to work independently while maintaining high standards and productivity
• Proven experience supporting major company milestones and transformations, and developing communications that strengthen employee alignment with the company’s mission and strategic priorities

Nice To Haves

• Agency background, experience supporting multiple clients and/or senior leaders
• Experience in the financial services sector
• Experience with video production and content creation and editing

Responsibilities

• Supports the development and execution of the company’s internal communications strategy.
• Contributes to and helps manage a cross‑company editorial calendar covering internal communications, executive messaging, and thought leadership
• Develops, reviews, and supports content across formats and channels to ensure quality, consistency, and alignment
• Helps manage the company intranet and internal communications channels, maintaining a strong pipeline of relevant, timely content
• Identifies and elevates stories, progress, and milestones from across the organization to drive alignment and recognition
• Drafts and delivers enterprise‑wide and executive communications on behalf of executives, aligned with business strategy and priorities
• Identifies emerging communication opportunities and supports timely corporate updates
• Helps ensure communication tools, processes, and channels are effective and aligned to audience needs
• Serves as a communications partner to lines of business teams to support effective employee communications
• Supports internal communications during periods of change, transformation, or heightened sensitivity
• Helps prepare executives for internal meetings, town halls, and events
• Tracks, analyzes, and reports on internal communication effectiveness to inform continuous improvement
• Partners with executives to support external messaging that reflects company strategy and reinforces credibility
• Contributes to executive content for external channels, including blogs, articles, and LinkedIn posts
• Helps prepare executives for external engagements with clear, well‑structured messaging, briefing materials, and presentations
• Identifies and evaluates opportunities to elevate executive voices in alignment with business and communications goals
• Supports external communications strategy, as needed.

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

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director