Managing Director, NDS Collections Strategy

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 executive role defines and owns Nelnet's collections strategy, establishing Collections Services as a scalable business line that extends consumer loan servicing across the full loan lifecycle through default resolution. The Managing Director sets the multi-year strategy, operating economics, and market positioning for recovery management and collections oversight services, deliberately positioning Nelnet as a governance and analytics provider rather than a licensed collection agency. This leader owns the collections P&L and drives revenue growth across servicing clients and prospects, NBS school partners, NFS portfolio investments, and Nelnet Bank. The role builds and leads the collections leadership team, including the Director accountable for the operating model and agency network, and represents the capability to clients, partners, and regulators. Success is measured by profitable business line ramp, client retention and wallet share, portfolio recovery improvement, and a clean regulatory and reputational record.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Define and own the multi-year collections strategy, translating market opportunity into a funded business plan, financial model, and service offering roadmap.

• Own the collections services P&L, setting revenue targets, pricing and fee structures, and cost discipline to achieve breakeven and sustained profitability.

• Establish the enterprise recovery management operating and governance framework, delegating build and day-to-day execution to collections leadership.

• Drive revenue growth by originating and closing collections opportunities across servicing clients and prospects, NBS school partners, NFS portfolios, and Nelnet Bank.

• Represent the capability as its executive face with clients, prospects, agency partners, and industry bodies, including presenting to executive leadership and the board.

• Set the regulatory and risk posture for collections activity with Compliance, Legal, and Internal Audit, keeping Nelnet outside of direct collection and licensing exposure.

• Shape enterprise recovery strategy for Nelnet-owned and acquired portfolios, advising on liquidation assumptions that influence investment returns.

• Build, lead, and develop the collections leadership team, including Directors accountable for operations, agency network, and analytics.

• Govern strategic agency and partner relationships at the enterprise level, negotiating master terms and resolving escalated performance or reputational issues.

• Report business line performance to executive leadership against financial, portfolio, client, recovery, and compliance metrics.

EDUCATION:

Required:

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Economics, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Preferred:

• MBA or advanced degree in Business, Finance, or Law.

EXPERIENCE:

Required:

• 12+ years of progressive experience in consumer collections, recovery, or default management, including 5+ years leading leaders at the Director level or above.

• 5+ years of P&L or business line ownership, including building a business plan and financial model from concept through revenue generation.

• 7+ years of accountability for third-party collection agency networks, including enterprise contract negotiation and vendor governance.

• 5+ years engaging executives, clients, or regulators in a regulated consumer lending or loan servicing environment.

• Demonstrated success launching a new product, service line, or business competency and scaling it into an established profit center.

Preferred:

• Experience in student loan servicing, private education lending, or bank consumer portfolios.

• Experience selling or expanding B2B outsourced services to financial institutions or higher education clients.

• Experience integrating recovery performance into portfolio acquisition or investment underwriting.

SKILLS: 

• Strategic Vision: Converts market opportunity into a differentiated, executable business strategy with clear economics.

• Executive Influence: Secures investment and alignment across enterprise business units and earns credibility with clients and regulators.

• Commercial Acumen: Structures pricing, revenue share, and deal terms that balance client value against Nelnet profitability.

• Risk Judgment: Weighs growth against regulatory, compliance, and reputational exposure in a highly scrutinized function.

• Leadership Scale: Builds leadership teams and operating discipline that grow a lean function into a durable business line.

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: Benefits & Perks - Nelnet Inc.

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.

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