Lead AI Product Strategist

Nelnet Business Services (NBS), a division of Nelnet, Inc., provides payment technology and education services to more than 1,200 higher education institutions, nearly 12,000 K-12 schools, and millions of individual students, families, and supporters across the globe. Our culture of service enables us to form long-lasting and trusted partnerships, while our focus on creativity and innovative solutions empowers our customer communities to thrive.

The Lead AI Product Strategist develops and advances product strategies that apply artificial intelligence, machine learning, automation, and data capabilities to customer-facing products and internal product-development processes. The role identifies high-value AI opportunities, translates business and customer needs into product direction, and leads cross-functional initiatives from discovery through implementation. This role also improves product operations by developing scalable, transparent, and auditable workflows that convert structured and unstructured data into actionable inputs. This position serves as a subject-matter resource on emerging AI capabilities, responsible AI adoption, security, privacy, and regulatory considerations.

This position offers a hybrid work option. Nelnet values flexibility and understands the importance of work-life integration. Our hybrid work environment allows associates Living within 30 miles of an office location to work remotely for part of the week, while also fostering collaboration and team connection through in-office presence three days per week.

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.

Compensation range for this position is $100,000 to $130,000 annually, depending on experience.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develop AI product strategies and roadmaps that align customer needs, business objectives, technology capabilities, and organizational priorities.
• Identify and evaluate opportunities to integrate artificial intelligence, machine learning, intelligent decisioning, and automation into products and product-development processes.
• Lead cross-functional AI product initiatives from discovery and problem definition through prioritization, implementation, measurement, and continuous improvement.
• Design and optimize multi-stage workflows that transform structured and unstructured information into usable product insights, recommendations, and business decisions.
• Experience with end-to-end process automation, AI assistants, agentic workflows, multi-agent systems, classification models, platform products, APIs, developer tools, payments, financial technology, or other regulated digital ecosystems.
• Experience operating independently in a regulated or risk-sensitive environment and incorporating privacy, security, compliance, and governance considerations into product decisions.
• Partner with product, business, data, risk, compliance, design, and technology stakeholders to assess feasibility, dependencies, customer impact, and implementation risk.
• Evaluate emerging AI technologies, industry developments, competitors, and changing customer expectations to inform product positioning and investment decisions.
• Assess security, privacy, regulatory, ethical, authentication, authorization, and fraud-related considerations associated with AI-enabled products.
• Build and maintain reusable knowledge, documentation, decision records, and operating frameworks that support transparency, auditability, and organizational adoption.
• Measure and communicate product outcomes, workflow efficiency, adoption, risk, and strategic value to business leaders and cross-functional stakeholders.

EDUCATION:

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in product management, business, information systems, computer science, data science, engineering, economics, or a related field; equivalent relevant experience may be considered.

Preferred:

• Graduate degree, advanced coursework, or relevant certification in product management, artificial intelligence, data science, information systems, agile product development, or responsible AI.

EXPERIENCE:

Required:

·         5+ years of experience in product management, product strategy, business analysis, digital product development, data products, automation, or a related discipline.

SKILLS:  

• Strategic Thinking
• AI Literacy & Prompt Engineering
• Business Process Modeling & Optimization
• Data Fluency
• Cross-Functional Leadership

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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.

Use of Artificial Intelligence in Hiring

We may use automated or artificial intelligence enabled tools to assist with the initial review of applications, such as identifying relevant skills or experience. These tools are used to support human review and do not make hiring decisions. A recruiter reviews applications and determines which candidates move forward in the hiring process. For more information, see our Privacy Policy and Pre-Use Notice: Automated Tools in Hiring