Director of Finance - NDS

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 NDS Director of Finance will support, manage and drive NDS strategic initiatives with heavy focus on financial and qualitative results. The role involves analyzing, consolidating and interpreting financial data.

This position manages the development and maintenance of financial analysis and reporting, including monthly financial reporting, budgeting and forecasting, key metrics, pricing and client / product profitability projects.

Additionally, this position represents the Accounting & Finance role in key decisions with multi-departmental decision making and manages projects, development of business plans, products, and pricing, including recommendations to aid in decision making.

The ideal candidate will have a strong background in accounting and financial management, proven leadership capabilities, and a passion for team development and operational excellence.

Job Responsibilities

• Oversee all financial operations including budgeting, forecasting, reporting, and pricing.  Prepare annual budgets, quarterly reforecasts and related reports in collaboration with the CFO and divisional leaders. 

• Manage and develop the finance and analytics team, fostering a culture of excellence, learning and collaboration.

• Ensure accurate and timely financial reporting in accordance with GAAP and month-end timelines.

• Collaborate cross-functionally to align strategies and conduct financial analysis to support decision-making and long-term planning. 

• Determine, through existing knowledge, research and learning, how to best implement and utilize new and expanding available technologies (Workday, PowerQuery/Pivot/BI, AI tools, Data Management concepts, etc.)

• Be a steward of underlying data elements used for driver-based forecasting and business decisions, including portfolio performance, default analytics, workforce management, and financial modeling

• Drive efficiency and transparency to profitability, efficiency and growth initiatives. Provide recommendations to improve processes and create efficiencies. 

• Evaluate KPIs, collaborates with operational stakeholders on opportunities for improvement within our contact center and back-off operations centers, with a concentrated focus on operational efficiency and profitability as well as technology investments and measuring the subsequent returns.

• Support the budget and forecast process, cost-benefit analysis, executive and management financial reporting.

• Lead the development and enhancement of financial analysis, including product profitability, pricing activities, RFP requests, product plans and pricing models, cost benefits analysis, and pricing workflow and approval processes. Review return on investment calculation including value realization.

• Develop KPIs to assess customer success, associate productivity, and opportunity profitability metrics.

• Present, influence and improve financial acumen and business understanding across new and emerging leaders and the NDS leadership team.

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, Finance, Business Management, or a related field required

• Advanced degree or certification preferred

Experience

• 5+ years of progressive experience in accounting and financial management.

• Proven experience in management, demonstrating effective leadership, strategic decision-making, and team development. 

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and Workday

• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and analytical skills. 

• Ability to maintain confidentiality and high levels of professionalism, honesty, and integrity. 

Competencies - Skills/Knowledge/Abilities

• Workday ERP Platform experience preferred

Annual compensation range for this role is $125,000 - $150,000 depending on experience.

This position requires work in support of the Company’s contract with the United States Department of Education