Manager - IT - FACTS Financial Aid

Nelnet Business Services (NBS), a division of Nelnet, Inc., provides payment technology and education services to more than 1,200 higher education institutions, nearly 12,000 K-12 schools, and millions of individual students, families, and supporters across the globe. Our culture of service enables us to form long-lasting and trusted partnerships, while our focus on creativity and innovative solutions empowers our customer communities to thrive. This position offers a hybrid work option within 30 miles of an office.

We are FACTS Financial Aid Management, dedicated to diversification and growth. We value fresh ideas, move fast, and support our teams to thrive. At FACTS, you’ll help shape change and grow alongside the company.

About the role

The IT Manager leads our FACTS Financial Aid Management Development Teams, using core values to guide decisions and elevate culture. This role requires strong leadership, communication, and relationship-building skills to align technical work with business goals.

Responsibilities

• Coach, motivate, and professionally develop team members, modeling desired quality techniques.
• Build strong relationships with IT, Product, and Operations leaders to seek feedback for continuous improvement.
• Translate technical details into business-relevant language.
• Set clear objectives and measures aligned with organizational goals to evaluate team performance and inform compensation recommendations.
• Promote teamwork and cooperation within and across teams.
• Implement lean solutions to improve team efficiency while maintaining effectiveness.
• Assess and improve team health, fostering a culture that embraces failure, learning, and continuous improvement.
• Lead the hiring process for team members.
• Contribute to strategic planning decisions such as budget and staffing plans.
• Oversee product or initiative delivery, including quality, efficiency, and timeliness.
• Communicate the status of ongoing initiatives and product state, addressing stakeholder concerns with Product Owners and Teams.
• Assist Agile teams in implementing designs for large-scale software projects that meet customer and business needs.
• Discuss current and future system states, helping design pathways to achieve goals.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
• Minimum 3 years of leadership experience, preferably in IT.
• Experience mentoring, developing others, or leading significant team changes.

Skills

• Excellent critical thinking, problem-solving, and judgment skills combined with trustworthiness.
• Strong desire to learn, innovate, and share knowledge.
• Forward-thinking approach to AI utilization within the SDLC and daily activities.
• Ability to communicate complex issues clearly and concisely to diverse audiences.
• Competency in resolving diverse and complex business/technical problems.
• Ability to motivate others, instill purpose, vision, and optimism, and drive effective solutions.

Pay

Compensation range for this role is $110,000–$120,000 annually, depending on experience.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• HSA and FSA options.
• Generous earned time off.
• 401K and student loan repayment assistance.
• Life insurance and AD&D insurance.
• Employee assistance program.
• Employee stock purchase program.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• Performance-based incentive pay.
• Short- and long-term disability.
• Robust wellness program.

Nelnet is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, national origin, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, military/veteran status, or other protected classes. Reasonable accommodations are available for qualified individuals with disabilities.