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.
Position Summary
This is primarily a policy, education, and coalition-building role. The person in this seat owns FACTS' public school engagement strategy for the federal tax credit scholarship program: building relationships with the federal and state policy coalitions, associations, and district-level stakeholders who shape and evaluate this program, and serving as the trusted voice who can accurately explain — and champion — why the program benefits a district, its schools, and its students and families.
This position sits within FACTS' scholarship services business development team, though business development is a secondary, downstream function of this role rather than its purpose. As trust and understanding are established with a district, foundation, or SGO, this role hands off or co-develops the commercial conversation with FACTS' BD team and positions FACTS' Compass platform as the credible path to program compliance — but the core mandate is policy fluency, coalition credibility, and district education.
Key Responsibilities
Policy & Coalition Leadership (primary)
• Federal & state policy fluency: Maintain deep, current expertise on Section 25F/FSTC federal rules and the state-by-state opt-in landscape, translating evolving Treasury guidance into plain-language implications for districts, foundations, and SGOs.
• Coalition building: Build and sustain FACTS' presence and standing within the federal and state policy coalitions, K-12 associations, and advocacy groups shaping this program — becoming a known, credible voice rather than an outside vendor.
• Government relations partnership: Work in close, ongoing coordination with Nelnet's Government Relations/Policy function on legislative monitoring, state opt-in tracking, and representing FACTS' interests in policy conversations.
Public School District Education & Champion (primary)
• District education: Lead outreach and education efforts with superintendents, school boards, district CFOs, and foundation leadership to help them understand what the federal tax credit scholarship program is, how it works, and the tangible benefit it offers their district, schools, and students/families.
• Message and narrative ownership: Develop messaging and collateral suited to a public-sector, politically sensitive buyer, framing the program around supplemental funding for students already in public schools — distinct from FACTS' Catholic/independent-school materials.
• Segment presence: Represent FACTS at public-sector K-12 associations and forums (e.g., AASA, ASBO International, National School Foundation Association, state school boards associations) to build the credibility and relationships this buyer requires.
• Target and relationship map: Build and maintain a live map of public school districts, affiliated foundations, and the SGOs serving or forming to serve them in opted-in states, coordinating with FACTS' policy/government-relations function to keep it current.
Qualifications
• 10+ years of experience in public policy, government relations, coalition/association management, or public-sector education advocacy, with direct exposure to how school boards, superintendents, and district leadership evaluate new programs.
• Direct professional experience working within a public school district at an administrative level (e.g., district central office, superintendent's cabinet, business/operations administration, or school board support) is strongly preferred; equivalent experience in a federal policy/think-tank setting will also be considered — first-hand understanding of how a district actually evaluates and adopts a new program.
• “Insider” status within public education and policy circles — someone who is already seen as a trusted partner, not an outside vendor.
• Existing, credible relationships within public school policy coalitions, K-12 associations, or state/federal education policy circles — this is a relationship-and-trust-driven role from day one, not a territory to be built cold.
• A professional network that opens doors and builds relationships quickly with new districts, coalitions, and policymakers.
• Ability to communicate effectively with school leaders across varied audiences — e.g., AASA, state school officers, school boards, rural superintendents/ADs.
• Skilled at educating districts on the program's benefits and the ease of participation, translating technical mechanics into a clear, credible case for adoption.
• Working knowledge of nonprofit/SGO structures, scholarship or education-savings-account program administration, or education finance broadly; direct Section 25F/FSTC experience is not expected, but the ability to learn technical program rules quickly is required.
• Comfort operating in a new, still-forming policy environment with incomplete federal guidance and a shifting list of participating states — this role requires judgment about where to invest time and relationship capital, not a fixed playbook.
• Some exposure to or comfort with business development conversations is helpful, since this role feeds and supports FACTS' BD motion, but prior quota-carrying sales experience is not a requirement.
• Willingness to travel regularly to meet with policy coalitions, districts, foundations, and SGOs, concentrated in states that have opted into the program.
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience.
Preferred
• Prior experience in a government relations, policy advocacy, or association-management role within public K-12 education.
• Existing relationships with public school foundations, school-board associations, or SGOs already operating in states participating in the federal program.
• Familiarity with the federal Education Freedom Tax Credit (Section 25F) policy landscape and state opt-in dynamics.
• Prior experience at an education finance, EdTech, SGO/scholarship administration company, or a K-12 advocacy or membership organization.
Directs employees in all facets of the department.
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. Commit to Performance Based Organization (PBO) & Easy to Do Business with (ETDBW) philosophy.
2. Contribute to Continuous Process Improvement.
3. Manage multiple conflicting priorities & consistently meet deadlines.
4. Act in place of manager in absence.
5. Report staffing, production, and budget.
6. Identify trends and problems.
7. Lead, train, retain and develop staff.
8. Act as back up for management functions.
9. Lead and participate in multiple Loan Service projects.
10. Analyze long-term impacts and plans accordingly.
11. Addresses potential changes or improvements.
12. Strive to make a difference through continued self-improvement.
13. Monitor and appraise team and systems as applicable.
14. Ensure compliance with Federal regulations and departmental policies.
15. Provide feedback to trainers and the leadership team regarding performance.
16. Provide one-on-one coaching to assist in improve quality.
17. Provide information to other areas of the company.
18. Develop, maintain and distribute reports.
Annual compensation range for this role is $160,000-$175,000 depending on experience.
Travel for this role is up to 50%
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.
EDUCATION:
4 year college degree preferred, advanced degree preferred.
EXPERIENCE:
3 years of experience in field or related field or commensurate education, 3 years supervisory or leadership experience.
COMPETENCIES – SKILLS/KNOWLEDGE/ABILITIES:
1. Service Excellence
2. Oral communications
3. Written communications
4. Working with MS Office
5. Problem Solving
6. Managing Multiple Priorities
7. Decision Making and Critical Thinking
8. Leadership
9. Team Management and Team Building
10. Planning: Tactical, Strategic
11. Managing Workforce Diversity
12. Project Management
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 corporaterecruiting@nelnet.net.
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
