Managing Director - New Markets - NBS

Nelnet Business Services (NBS), a division of Nelnet, Inc., provides payment technology, education services, and learning management solutions to education and faith-based organizations, serving more than 1,300 higher education institutions, 11,500 K-12 schools, 3,500 churches, 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.

 

As a Nelnet company, the perks at NBS go beyond our benefits package. You’re part of a community, invested in you as an individual and united by our mission to create opportunities for people where they live, learn and work.

The Managing Director of New Markets is a highly strategic executive role tasked with leading the discovery, validation, launch, and scale of new market and product opportunities for Nelnet Business Services (NBS). This leader will own the full lifecycle of innovation from concept to commercialization and growth, with a strong focus on driving significant revenue impact through large-scale technology initiatives. The ideal candidate brings deep experience in launching and scaling high-growth technology businesses, with a record of successful market entries, robust financial management, and cross-functional execution at enterprise scale.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Lead the strategic direction and execution of new market initiatives, identifying scalable opportunities that align with NBS’s long-term growth ambitions.

• Build, grow, and lead a high-performing New Markets and New Ventures team with a focus on high-impact innovation, digital transformation, and speed to market.

• Own the end-to-end lifecycle for new business lines—from ideation and market research through product launch and go-to-market strategy to full-scale commercialization.

• Develop and articulate compelling business cases for C-suite consideration, including complex financial models, ROI analyses, and risk mitigation plans.

• Partner with executive leadership and functional heads (Product, IT, Sales, Marketing, Operations) to drive organizational alignment and execution across major growth initiatives.

• Drive the adoption of cutting-edge technologies and business models to gain competitive advantage in new and emerging markets.

• Serve as a key spokesperson and thought leader representing NBS in external partnerships and industry forums.

• Foster a culture of innovation, agility, accountability, and excellence across diverse, geographically dispersed teams.

The compensation range for this role is $200,000-$225,000 with flexibility. We offer a highly competitive total compensation package that includes a base salary commensurate with experience, performance-based bonus opportunities, stock awards as part of our long-term incentive plan, and a competitive benefits package that includes health, retirement, wellness programs, and more. Relocation assistance available.

*This role will be located out of our main office in Lincoln, Nebraska*

EDUCATION:

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Technology, or related field; MBA or equivalent advanced degree strongly preferred.

EXPERIENCE:

• 10+ years of senior leadership experience in high-growth technology, SaaS, fintech, or innovation-led businesses.

• Demonstrated success in building and scaling multiple technology ventures or business units, ideally with revenues exceeding $10M.

• Experience leading large, cross-functional teams across complex, matrixed environments.

• Deep financial acumen with full P&L accountability.

• Familiarity with education technology, fintech ecosystems, or digital platform businesses is a strong plus.

COMPETENCIES – SKILLS/KNOWLEDGE/ABILITIES:

• Visionary strategic thinking and opportunity mapping 

• High-stakes financial modeling and investment planning 

• Strong executive presence and board-level communication 

• Leadership in product innovation and digital business models 

• Scalable operational planning and execution 

• Transformational leadership across large, global teams 

• Entrepreneurial mindset with enterprise rigor 

• Excellent negotiation, partnership, and stakeholder engagement skills 

• Decisive, data-informed decision making in high-ambiguity environments 

Our benefits package includes medical, dental, vision, HSA a