Consumer & Market Expansion Program Lead

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.

This strategic program lead will drive NDS Consumer’s entry into new markets and oversee scalable growth initiatives. The role blends strategic foresight, market intelligence, and cross-functional leadership to shape the future of our consumer servicing business.

• Conduct deep market research to identify underserved segments and emerging opportunities.
• Analyze competitive landscapes and consumer trends to inform entry strategies.
• Develop multi-year market expansion roadmaps aligned with NDS Consumer’s business goals.

• Design and oversee programs that support scalable growth, including new product/service offerings, partnerships, and operational models.
• Define success metrics and track performance across initiatives.
• Collaborate with Finance, Ops, and IT to ensure resource alignment and execution readiness.

• Craft long-term strategic plans for consumer servicing evolution.
• Align program goals with enterprise OKRs and transformation initiatives.
• Present growth strategies and market insights to executive leadership.

• Partner with Product, Engineering, Marketing, and Client Services to ensure cohesive execution.
• Facilitate workshops and planning sessions to align teams on strategic priorities.
• Act as a connector between innovation efforts and operational capabilities.

• Identify and validate new service models, digital capabilities, and partnership opportunities.
• Lead pilot programs and proof-of-concept initiatives to test market viability.
• Recommend go-to-market strategies and positioning for new offerings.

Salary Range: $90-130k

Bachelor’s degree required in one of the following fields:

• Business Administration
• Marketing
• Economics
• Data Analytics
• IT or Engineering
• Strategy or related discipline

• Master’s degree (MBA or equivalent) with a focus on strategy, market development, or business growth.
• Certifications in Program Management (PgMP, PMP) or Data Analytics can be a strong plus.

• 5–7+ years in market research and competitive analysis, with proven ability to identify underserved segments and emerging trends.
• Experience developing multi-year market expansion roadmaps and aligning them with organizational goals.
• Familiarity with consumer behavior analytics and segmentation strategies.

• Demonstrated success in designing and managing scalable growth programs
  , including new product/service launches and partnership models.
• Strong background in defining success metrics and tracking performance across multiple initiatives.
• Experience collaborating with Finance, Operations, and IT for resource planning and execution readiness.

• Strategic planning experience at an enterprise level, including aligning initiatives with OKRs and transformation goals.
• Ability to present complex growth strategies and market insights to executive leadership and influence decision-making.

• Proven track record of leading cross-functional teams (Product, Engineering, Marketing, Client Services) to deliver cohesive execution.
• Skilled in facilitating workshops and planning sessions to align stakeholders on priorities.

• Experience identifying and validating new service models, digital capabilities, and partnership opportunities
  .
• Hands‑on involvement in pilot programs and proof‑of‑concept initiatives …