Data Analyst

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.

As a Data Analyst you will work together with a closely knit team to leverage our codebase and collective skillsets in SQL, Python, Power BI, and Excel to maintain existing reporting as well as build new solutions for a wide range of Nelnet internal and external customers. Our primary goal is to take care of our customer, we do this by translating large amounts of data into easy-to-digest reports and dashboards which are used to inform decisions across the company. We are a group of lifelong learners passionate about data, leveraging new pieces of code, cutting-edge software, or new approaches to solutions to enhance the quality of our work and elevate our customer experience.

At this time, we are unable to move forward with candidates that will require sponsorship for employment visa status both now or in the future.

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.  Nelnet has fully remote, fully in-office, and hybrid roles. Our hybrid roles have flexibility, based on the team. The standard hybrid work schedule includes a 3/2 (in-office/work-from-home) split for associates that reside within 30 miles of an office. 

*This position may be filled remotely, if the selected candidate resides more than 30 miles from a Nelnet office. This position may be filled as a hybrid role, if the selected candidate is within a 30-mile radius of a Nelnet office.*

We are seeking a talented data analyst who can: 
1.    Utilize their skillset to mine and pull complex datasets.
2.    Have the business intelligence to interpret the data and analyze for trends, correlations, and other key characteristics.
3.    Provide strategic and defensible recommendations for improving our systems, processes, and strategies based upon findings supported by research and data analysis.
4.    Effectively compile, package, present and discuss analysis and insights with customers in an impactful narrative or visual form.
5.    Develop reports and dashboards to communicate performance and deliver insight to customers while monitoring data quality issues.
6.    Continuously seek out opportunities to add value through process automation and programmatic solutions to manual tasks.
7.    Be proactive to customer needs and support the Nelnet Management team as our primary customer.
 

Our Ideal Candidate...

• is a motivated and detail-oriented individual with a strong interest in data analytics. Whether they are early in their career or currently working in a data-adjacent role, they have foundational experience with data—cleaning, analyzing, and drawing insights to support decision-making. They have working knowledge of SQL and/or Python and a strong desire to develop these skills further.

• is business-focused, prioritizing the translation of data into meaningful narratives and solutions that drive decision-making. Comfortable working in tools like Excel and Power BI, they are skilled at creating user-friendly visualizations and reports that communicate performance metrics and trends. They are also adept at identifying and implementing process improvements through automation.

• is customer-centric, collaborative, and passionate about solving complex business problems through data. They possess exceptional critical thinking and communication skills, enabling them to effectively engage with internal and external stakeholders. Their focus is on practical application rather than theoretical analysis, ensuring their work is directly aligned with business goals and customer needs.

• thrives in a dynamic environment where they can manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and contribute to a team culture of continuous improvement and learning.

EDUCATION: 
4-year college degree preferred or equivalent experience needed

EXPERIENCE: 
1 year of data analytics with proven track record of experience matching the summary above.  Preferable to see examples or published work.

COMPETENCIES – SKILLS/KNOWLEDGE/ABILITIES:
1.    Technical skill-set

• Competency with extracting, manipulating, querying data in a variety of database systems - programming: Microsoft T-SQL, PostgreSQL.

• Familiarity with data access and structuring tools (Aginity for Netezza/AWS, Python, SQL Server Analytics Services, SQL Server Management Studio).

• Familiarity with reporting and dashboarding software (e.g. Microsoft Power BI, DAX.

• Expertise with Microsoft Excel, including formulas, charts and Pivot Tables.

• Familiarity with scripting languages: Python for data manipulation and process automation.

• Familiarity with data mapping, cleansing, and editing as well as Extract, Transform, and Load processes (ETL) using Python and Visual Studio.

2.    Exceptional critical thinking and problem solving skills. 
3.    Ability to conceptualize and analyze complex business processes
4.    Excellent oral/written and interpersonal communication skills. 
5.    Negotiation, facilitation and presentation skills. 
6.    Ability to define and achieve business goals and deadlines while working both independently & collaboratively. 
7.    Customer-focused philosophy.
8.    Ability to manage multiple conflicting priorities and consistently meet deadlines. 
9.    Ability to meet and manage customer expectations in a professional and timely manner.
10.   Student loan/finance industry experience preferred.
 

Starting annual salary range: for this role: $50,000 - $70,000

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 an Equal Opportunity Employer, complies with Executive Order 11246, and takes affirmative action to ensure that qualified applicants are employed, and that employees are treated during employment, without regard to race, color, religion/creed, national origin, gender, or 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 or State law or local ordinance.  

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.