VP​/Director, Investments Underwriting; Lincoln, NE or Chicago, IL

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 is a key role within the Nelnet Financial Services (NFS) investment team focused on specialty finance underwriting, portfolio decisioning, and disciplined asset management—supporting opportunities to help Nelnet achieve and maintain long‑term, resilient returns. The VP will wear multiple hats with an emphasis on thoughtful underwriting decisions, transaction execution, partner servicing and ongoing portfolio oversight. In addition, help maintain rigorous risk‑based oversight across investments, offering a trusted, data‑driven perspective on opportunities and performance.

• New investments: evaluate, and execute on third‑party purchasing and investment opportunities (e.g., forward flows, discrete pool purchases, unitranche/mezzanine ABL, non‑recourse financings, and other structured cash‑flow investments).
• Underwriting:
  Help facilitate detailed underwriting frameworks, credit memos, and analytical assessment for new opportunities—including asset‑level due diligence, stratification, tape analysis, cohort modeling, and stress testing.
• Investment risk assessment: clearly identify knowns/unknowns and assess comfort relative to expected return; define KRIs, scenarios, and mitigants.
• Process optimization: refine investment and underwriting processes, templates, and standards to improve speed, quality, and repeatability.
• Execution: negotiate, assess and coordinate documentation, closing checklists, and internal/external work streams with legal, finance, and counter parties.
• Financing strategy: as applicable negotiate, and document financing agreements (e.g., warehouses, term ABS) and consider bond issuance and capital markets alternatives.
• Portfolio management & oversight: stay on top of ongoing relationships – e.g., monitoring cadences, variance analysis, and early‑warning indicators – to proactively surface trends and inform decision making.
• Market intelligence: stay apprised of relevant market developments (origination volumes, spreads, performance trends) and incorporate insights into recommendations.
• Capital markets and strategic financing support: assist with capital markets and strategic financing functions across Nelnet, including work related to Nelnet Bank where appropriate.
• Internal communication: ensure stakeholders are informed with clear, timely updates; produce concise summaries, dashboards, and recommendations.
• Culture & philosophy: model Performance Based Organization (PBO) and Easy to Do Business With (ETDBW) principles in daily execution and partner interactions.
• Continuous improvement: identify process enhancements, standardize playbooks, and invest in continual self‑improvement and team development.
• Prioritization: manage multiple, conflicting priorities and consistently meet deadlines in a dynamic environment.
• Leadership: act in place of manager in their absence; mentor junior associates and underwriters; contribute to recruiting and onboarding.

This position is located in Chicago, IL or Lincoln, NE.

Please note that we are unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position. To be considered, candidates must already be authorized to work in the United States without the need for current or future sponsorship.

Bachelor's degree required; MBA and/or CFA preferred (progress toward either considered).

• 7+ years of relevant experience in structured finance across banking, capital markets, or investment roles.
• Hands‑on underwriting experience in specialty finance…