Nelnet is a diversified and innovative company committed to enriching lives through the power of service as a student loan servicer, professional services company, consumer loan originator and servicer, payments processor, renewable energy solutions, and K-12 and higher education expert. For over 40 years, Nelnet has been serving its customers, associates, and communities.
The perks of working at Nelnet go beyond our benefits package. When you join the Nelnet team, you're part of a community invested in the success of each individual. That support comes through in our work, as we are united by our mission of creating opportunities for people where they live, learn, and work.
The Director, Growth & Market Expansion role exists to find what’s next and determine whether the NDS Consumer team is ready to serve it.Market Expansion & Opportunity Identification
Engage with customers, partners, startups, and market ecosystems
Identify unmet needs, emerging behaviors, and market gaps
Translate insights into clear, testable venture hypotheses aligned with NDS Consumer’s business goals
Opportunity Pipeline Management
Build and operate a repeatable system to evaluate new opportunities
Source and synthesize opportunities across markets and domains
Define qualification criteria (strategic fit, differentiation, risk-to-ROI)
Collaborate with Finance, Operations and IT to ensure resource alignment and execution readiness
Readiness Assessment
Evaluate product, operational, technical, and delivery readiness
Identify and communicate gaps early
Recommend whether to build, partner, pause, or discontinue initiatives
Decision-Making & Governance
Present opportunities and insights to executive leadership and influence decision making
Lead regular opportunity reviews with clear outcomes (continue, pivot, terminate)
Prevent sunk-cost bias and avoid sustaining low-value initiatives
Salary range starts at $100k
EDUCATION:
EXPERIENCE:
CORE COMPETENCIES:
WORK ENVIRONMENT:
Our benefits package includes medical, dental, vision, HSA and FSA, generous earned time off, 401K/student loan repayment, life insurance & AD&D insurance, employee assistance program, employee stock purchase program, tuition reimbursement, performance-based incentive pay, short- and long-term disability, and a robust wellness program. Click here to learn more about our benefits: LINK.
Nelnet is committed to providing a welcoming and respectful workplace where all associates have the opportunity to succeed. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we ensure that all qualified applicants are considered for employment. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion/creed, national origin, gender, sex, marital status, age, disability, use of a guide dog or service animal, sexual orientation, military/veteran status, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local law. We value the unique contributions of every team member and believe that a positive work environment benefits everyone.
Qualified individuals with disabilities who require reasonable accommodations in order to apply or compete for positions at Nelnet may request such accommodations by contacting Corporate Recruiting at 402-486-5725 orcorporaterecruiting@nelnet.net.
Nelnet is a Drug Free and Tobacco Free Workplace.