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 Senior Portfolio Strategy & Analytics Lead serves as a senior analytics expert for student loan portfolios, responsible for deeply understanding portfolio performance, designing advanced analytical frameworks, and translating complex data into clear insights that inform portfolio strategy and decision-making. The role partners closely with Data Analytics teams to design data structures, define portfolio metrics, and build analytical reporting and visualization solutions.

While this role supports and evaluates portfolio strategies and initiatives, its primary focus is on measurement, analysis, and insight, rather than day-to-day initiative execution or program leadership.

External applicants must reside within 30 miles of the below office locations:
Centennial, CO
Lincoln, NE
Sidney, NE
Madison, WI

Nelnet believes in a hybrid work environment that accommodates both in-office and remote work. This model promotes a positive work-life balance and culture, enabling in-person collaboration when possible while also providing benefits associated with remote work. The standard hybrid work schedule includes 24 hours of in-office work each week, for associates that reside within 30 miles of an office. This is subject to change, based on manager discretion.

Portfolio Analytics & Performance Insight

• Develop and maintain deep analytical understanding of student loan portfolio performance, including repayment behavior, delinquency, default, cure, and lifecycle transitions.

• Conduct complex portfolio analyses across programs, cohorts, and borrower segments to identify performance drivers, risks, and emerging trends.

• Serve as a primary analytical resource for portfolio performance questions from senior leadership, Finance, Operations, and Strategy teams.

Strategy Measurement & Evaluation

• Design analytical frameworks to track, measure, and evaluate portfolio strategies, pilots, and initiatives.

• Define success metrics, baselines, and evaluation methodologies in partnership with Data Analytics and business stakeholders.

• Perform post-implementation analysis to assess effectiveness, quantify impact, and identify unintended consequences.

• Translate analytical findings into evidence-based recommendations to inform future strategy decisions.

Metrics, Data Modeling & Data Design

• Define, standardize, and evolve portfolio-level metrics and KPIs to ensure consistency and analytical rigor.

• Partner with Data Analytics teams to:

  • Design and enhance analytical data models and portfolio-specific datasets

  • Define data requirements for new portfolio metrics, analyses, and reporting

  • Ensure data quality, lineage, and scalability for portfolio analytics use cases

• Align portfolio metrics with Finance, Risk, and operational measurement frameworks.

Reporting, Dashboards & Visualization

• Partner with Data Analytics to design, develop, and enhance portfolio dashboards, reports, and visualizations.

• Drive the evolution of executive-facing portfolio views to emphasize trends, drivers, and forward-looking indicators.

• Ensure reporting solutions are analytically sound, scalable, and aligned with standardized metric definitions.

• Leverage visualization to tell clear, accurate stories about portfolio performance and strategy outcomes.

Technical Analytics & Tooling

• Independently perform advanced portfolio analyses using SQL and analytical programming tools.

• Utilize Python for data analysis, modeling, automation, and exploratory analytics where appropriate.

• Design, build, and maintain analytical content in Power BI, including semantic models, DAX measures, and performance-optimized dashboards.

• Partner with Data Analytics and data engineering teams to improve analytical workflows, reproducibility, and efficiency.

Collaboration & Analytical Leadership

• Provide analytical direction, mentorship, and thought leadership related to portfolio analytics and measurement practices.

• Collaborate with Data Analytics, Finance, Operations, and Strategy teams to ensure analytical efforts are focused on the highest-value portfolio questions.

• Promote best practices in analytical design, metric governance, and insight communication.

Key Deliverables

• Portfolio performance analyses and insight summaries

• Strategy and initiative measurement frameworks and results

• Standardized portfolio metric definitions and documentation

• Executive dashboards and recurring portfolio analytics

• Analytical requirements and specifications for new portfolio reporting

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Analytics, Data Science, Finance, Economics, Statistics, or related field (Master’s preferred)

• Extensive experience performing advanced analytics on large, complex financial or loan portfolios

• Expert-level SQL skills for complex data extraction and analysis

• Strong proficiency in Python for data analysis, automation, or modeling

• Advanced experience with Power BI, including data modeling and DAX

• Proven ability to translate analytical findings into clear insights for senior leadership

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with student loan portfolios or regulated financial products

• Familiarity with forecasting, risk metrics, and portfolio performance modeling

• Experience partnering with centralized Data Analytics or BI teams

• Experience designing reusable analytical frameworks and standardized metrics

Job Complexity

• Operates with significant autonomy

• Solves complex, ambiguous analytical problems

• Influences decision-making through analytical expertise and insight

Decision-Making Authority

• Defines portfolio analytics approaches, metrics, and evaluation methodologies

• Recommends analytical interpretations and insights that inform portfolio strategy

• Influences prioritization of portfolio-related analytics and reporting efforts

Annual compensation range for this role is $90,000 to $120,000 depending on experience.

This position requires work in support of the Company’s contract with the United States Department of Education (“ED”). As such, the United States Government requires that any applicant for this position must complete United States Government security clearance. Effective June 1, 2018, ED has informed Nelnet that security clearance applications for foreign nationals are not being accepted or processed. In light of this direction from ED, Nelnet will be unable to hire applicants without United States citizenship for such positions.

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 or [email protected].

Nelnet is a Drug Free and Tobacco Free Workplace.