Attracting and Retaining Highly Skilled Employees
Through systematic talent management, career development and succession planning, we work to provide employees with opportunities to advance and grow their careers.
In 2023, 29% of our open positions were filled by internal candidates, creating internal mobility and advancement across the company. In addition, we actively seek to recruit new people to join us through a variety of outreach efforts.
We use a variety of digital tools to increase the visibility of our job postings among underrepresented job seekers, including veterans, individuals with disabilities, mature workers, and other historically underrepresented communities. We have also expanded our recruiting efforts to area community colleges and universities with diverse student populations.
We have forged strategic partnerships with regional organizations and associations representing diverse communities. Examples include posting job opportunities, holding informational sessions, and participating in job fairs.
- Prince Georges County Workforce
- Anne Arundel County Workforce Development
- Howard County Office of Workforce Development
- Hiring our Heroes
- SEEC (Seeking Employment Equality and Community)
- Maryland Minority Business Counts
- Bowie State University
- Coppin State University
- Howard Community College
- Morgan State
- Fort Meade Veterans
- 2023 National Diversity Career Expo
Professional Development
Our interactive performance management program empowers employees to take ownership of their career growth. Employees participate in monthly coaching sessions with their managers, annual reviews that are customized to their position and annual goal setting. Managers complete an annual talent assessment and identify candidates for further development.
Our comprehensive online learning platform provides instant access to more than 5,000 professional and personal development courses ranging from Microsoft Office skills to problem solving, leadership, communication, relationship building, service skills, personal wellness, and more. The following programs also help employees learn new skills, establish and meet personal development goals, take on new roles, and become strong leaders:
TED Talk Tuesdays
Launched in fall 2023, a different TED Talk was featured each Tuesday for a brief, inspiring and educational message. Employees were invited to leave their comments and impressions of the talk alongside.
Remarkable Manager Challenge
This program for managers and team leaders focuses on one leadership topic for a four-to-six-week period. During the challenge, managers and team leaders complete recommended e-learnings, read a variety of articles, complete activities with their team members, and discuss what they learned with each other. A total of 64 managers participated in the two challenges held in 2023.
ACCESS Mentorship
This program is designed to increase the visibility of diverse talent across the enterprise. Mentees participate in exercises to identify their strengths, values, and goals. Senior leaders serve as mentors, helping mentees navigate successful careers. A cohort of 15 mentees completed the six-month program in 2023.
Tuition Assistance Program
We offer full- and part-time employees financial support to advance their educational goals. In 2023, we paid over $89,750 in tuition benefits to 45 employees.
Career Pathways
This development program is available to all employees and includes a self-assessment, career-planning workshops and a mentoring program with a diverse group of company leaders. After completing the program, employees have the opportunity to participate in a structured job shadowing experience. There were 39 participants in 2023.
Industry Development Programs
High-potential employees can develop leadership, managerial, and technical skills while deepening their understanding of our industry through participation in the ABA Stonier Graduate School of Banking, the Maryland Banking School, and the Virginia Bankers School of Bank Management. These multi-year programs combine intensive in-person sessions, home study curricula, and peer group projects. In 2023, 22 employees participated.
Supporting Career Development through Mentorship
ACCESS is a mentorship program designed to increase the visibility of diverse talent across the enterprise. Mentees participate in exercises to identify their strengths, values, and goals. Senior leaders serve as mentors, helping mentees navigate opportunities for success in their careers. In 2023, a cohort of 15 mentees (66% women and 47% people of color) successfully completed the six-month long program.
A new ACCESS cohort of 19 mentees (58% women and 47% people of color) was formed in December 2023.
I felt valued, important, and invested in by my company because of the ACCESS program. I appreciated all the workshops where I learned much about myself and my skills and professional development. The ACCESS program opened doors for me, and gave me the incredible opportunity to be paired with a senior leader of the company who listened to me and cared for me, and connected me to other senior leaders.2023 Access program participant
Benefits That Exceed Expectations
Our employees work hard, and we reward them with fair compensation and a comprehensive package of benefits to meet life's needs.
Flexible Benefits Plan
All employees are eligible for a variety of health, dental, and vision insurance plans, as well as flexible spending and dependent care spending accounts that allow employees to craft a program that will best suit their personal situations.
Annual Cash Incentive
All employees who do not already participate in a specific incentive plan receive an annual cash bonus based on the company's results.
Paid Leave Plans
Sandy Spring Bank offers more PTO than the national average for full-time employees with one year of service. In addition to paid holidays, all employees accrue paid time off for vacation and personal needs; in addition, they can take advantage of special paid leave programs that provide for work/life balance, such as six weeks of parental leave for new parents, temporary disability coverage, compassionate leave, community service leave, jury duty, and more.
401(K) Plan
This retirement benefit provides a default enrollment to encourage employees to save for retirement. Our plan matches 100% of the first 4% of pay contributed and 50% on the next 2%, the maximum allowable by law, and all matching funds are 100% vested. We also offer a wide range of investment alternatives including company stock and provide free one-on-one counseling with a financial expert to assist employees in meeting their retirement-savings goals. In 2023, we had a participation rate of over 98% and paid nearly $6.0 million to employees in matching contributions.
Employer-Paid Life Insurance
This benefit is equal to 2x annual salary or equivalent, up to a maximum of $500,000.
Employee Stock Purchase Plan
Our plan enables employees to accumulate up to $25,000 of company stock per year at a 15% discount to the market price.
Employee Engagement and Communication
We offer multiple channels for employee engagement with senior leaders and opportunities for them to offer feedback to help us improve our performance and make our company a better place to work.
Employee Engagement Surveys
We regularly solicit employee feedback through a confidential, company-wide survey on culture, management, career opportunities, compensation, and benefits. The results of this survey are reviewed with senior and executive leaders.
Employee Town Halls
Our Chief Executive Officer, Dan Schrider, and Chief Financial Officer, Phil Mantua, connect with employees during quarterly town hall meetings that are open to all employees. Hosted by Chief Human Resources Officer, Gary Fernandes, these live video events include guest speakers who highlight different areas of our company and share updates and announcements. Employees can submit questions in advance and watch recordings of the event if they are unable to attend live.
Chatter
Our internal message board helps employees stay connected, as well as share volunteer and donation opportunities, community activities, and celebrations.
Meeting In A Box
Winner of a CXPA Innovation Award, our Meeting-in-a-Box initiative engages employee teams in a synchronized effort to discuss the same monthly client or employee experience topic. In 2023, we focused on our stated Principles and Values. Each topic was introduced with a video from an executive officer sharing a personal example of our principles in action.
A Great Place to Work®
For the third consecutive year, Sandy Spring Bank received certification as a Great Place to Work. This honor is a direct result of what our employees have to say about our values and their experience and affirms our culture of respect and teamwork.
"Working for a local bank with a 155-year legacy is special. We are stewards of a company built on personal relationships, integrity, and community service. We are also continuously evolving to secure a bright future for generations to come. Your commitment shines through in the personal service you deliver, and I am grateful for each of you."
Daniel J. Schrider, Chair, President & CEO