Legal Associate Jobs in Virginia

INTRODUCTION

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.

ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Senior Associate, Legal Administrative Support will provide administrative, operational, and project support to the Legal, Government Affairs, and Communications team. Reporting to a senior leader within the Legal Department, this role will support a team of attorneys and paraprofessionals including support for Corporate Finance, Corporate Reporting, and Disputes and Transactions teams within the Legal Department. This role requires comfort managing multiple deadlines, coordinating across teams, and maintaining high levels of accuracy and attention to detail in documentation. The ideal candidate will be responsible for managing and prioritizing administrative tasks, ensuring the smooth and efficient day-to-day operations of the organization, and assisting in the implementation and improvement of administrative policies and procedures. The role will also help strengthen continuity, efficient day-to-day operations, and scalability across recurring legal and administrative workflows.

This role is currently located in our Sterling, VA office, with a planned move to Arlington, VA in Fall 2026.

• Provide executive administrative, operational, and project support to senior management and their teams, including scheduling meetings, managing calendars, coordinating travel arrangements.
• Support expense reporting, invoice routing, payment tracking, vendor onboarding, and related administrative processes with attention to timeliness, accuracy, and compliance.
• Manage and accurately maintain audit-ready electronic and physical records and files, including appropriate handling sensitive confidential and/or material non-public information.
• Identify opportunities to improve administrative and legal support workflows, standardize templates or checklists, and create or maintain process documentation and job aids.
• Manage supplies, technology/equipment needs, and support for team events or other in-office logistical needs, liaising with facilities and IT as needed.
• Develop and maintain strong working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Prepare, edit, proofread, and distribute agendas, meeting materials, presentations, and other business documents for legal and cross-functional teams.
• Build, support, and maintain shared resources such as SharePoint or Teams sites, trackers, checklists, and other process documentation.
• Provide guidance and support to the administrative support team to ensure excellent customer service is provided to all internal and external stakeholders.
• Serve as backup or complementary support for designated tasks and workflows customarily performed by paralegals.
• Ensure compliance with company policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements.
• Support effective control design, implementation, and testing for the teams and the broader Legal, Government Affairs, and Communications organization.

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.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

• Excellent organizational, planning, and time management skills.
• Demonstrated experience managing expense, invoice, or vendor administration.
• Strong oral and written communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build relationships with stakeholders at all levels.
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize tasks in a fast-paced, hybrid working environment.
• Experience with office software and equipment, including Microsoft Office Suite and related collaboration tools, and office management software.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Discretion and demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality and properly manage and handle confidential and/or material non-public information.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Willingness to work flexible hours as needed. Some travel required.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Management, Paralegal Studies, Legal Studies, or a related field.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in administrative support, including support for senior executive leaders and their teams.
• Active Commonwealth of Virginia Notary Commission and Electronic Notary qualification, or ability to promptly apply and obtain such qualifications.
• Prior experience in a legal, government relations, or communications environment, or in a highly regulated industry, including but not limited to financial services.
• Demonstrated understanding or interest in legal principles, processes, and procedures across various practice areas. Exposure to AI-enabled productivity tools for administrative workflows.
• Experience supporting legal teams across one or more corporate finance, transactional, or dispute-resolution functions.

BENEFITS

Our benefits take care of the whole you—so you can build your work around your life (not the other way around!).

• 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

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EEO STATEMENT

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 (855) 756-2007 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.