Vice President, 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. help maintain rigorous risk-based oversight across investments, offering a trusted, data-driven perspective on opportunities and performance

Job Responsibilities

• 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 workstreams with legal, finance, and counterparties.
• 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.

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

• 7+ years of relevant experience in structured finance across banking, capital markets, or investment roles.

• Hands-on underwriting experience in specialty finance assets (e.g., consumer, SMB, fintech, collateralized loan pools) and related financing structures.

• Proven proficiency in cash-flow modeling, scenario analysis, and portfolio monitoring (advanced Excel; SQL or Python a plus).

• Exposure to securitization/ABS, warehouses, and documentation/closing processes.

• Track record of cross-functional coordination (legal, finance, risk) and external counterparty management.

Competencies - Skills/Knowledge/Abilities

• Capital markets acumen

• Structured finance / securitization / fixed income expertise

• Underwriting judgment and investment decisioning

• Project management and execution rigor

• Intellectual curiosity and learning agility

• Critical thinking and decision quality

• Analytical depth and quantitative skills

• Legal documentation literacy

• Strong EQ and interpersonal skills

• Team player; collaboration and service mindset

• Service excellence

• Strong oral and written communication

• MS Office proficiency; data tooling (Excel/SQL)

• Problem solving and resourcefulness

• Ability to manage multiple priorities

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 corporaterecruiting@nelnet.net.

Nelnet is a Drug Free and Tobacco Free Workplace.