Fast Facts

Nelnet Business Services is seeking a Senior IT Development Manager to lead software engineering teams, focusing on AI adoption, automation, and continuous improvement within a hybrid work environment.

Responsibilities: Lead and mentor development teams; define technical roadmaps; oversee project execution; ensure architectural integrity and operational efficiency; promote AI and automation.

Skills: Strong technical expertise in software development, AI/ML, process automation, and DevOps; excellent leadership and communication skills.

Qualifications: Bachelor's or Master's in Computer Science or related field; 5-10 years of software development experience; at least 3 years in a management role; experience with AI and automation.

Location: Remote - Nebraska, United States of America

Compensation: $160000 - $170000 / Annually

Nelnet Business Services (NBS), a division of Nelnet, Inc., provides payment technology, education services, and learning management solutions to education and faith-based organizations, serving more than 1,300 higher education institutions, 11,500 K-12 schools, 3,500 churches, 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.

As a Nelnet company, the perks at NBS go beyond our benefits package. You’re part of a community, invested in you as an individual and united by our mission to create opportunities for people where they live, learn and work.

We are seeking a highly experienced and motivated Senior IT Development Manager to lead our engineering teams in designing, developing, and delivering high-quality software solutions. This role requires a strong leader who can combine technical expertise with proven management skills to drive AI adoption, intelligent automation, and continuous efficiency improvements.

The ideal candidate has a background in software engineering, thrives in a fast-paced environment, and is passionate about leveraging AI and automation to streamline processes, reduce time-to-market, and empower high-performing teams.

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.

Key Responsibilities:

Leadership & Team Management

Lead, mentor, and grow multiple development teams, fostering a culture of accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement.

Attract and retain top engineering talent while supporting career development and succession planning.

Promote cross-team collaboration and knowledge sharing, especially around automation and AI practices.

Strategy & Execution

Partner with product, design, and business leaders to define the technical and AI/automation roadmap, aligning development initiatives with company objectives.

Oversee project planning, execution, and delivery, ensuring commitments are met on time and within budget.

Drive adoption of AI-enabled tools, automation frameworks, and efficiency-focused practices to accelerate delivery and reduce operational overhead.

Technical Oversight

Provide architectural guidance to ensure systems are scalable, secure, and optimized for automation.

Evaluate and implement emerging technologies—including AI/ML, workflow automation, and DevOps tooling—to enhance delivery speed and quality.

Guide teams through complex technical challenges, especially those involving efficiency gains and new automation capabilities.

Operational Excellence

Implement and evolve agile and DevOps practices with a focus on automation, continuous integration, and continuous delivery.

Monitor and measure key performance metrics to ensure improvements in productivity, efficiency, and system reliability.

Champion engineering quality through automated testing, code reviews, and AI-assisted development practices.

Qualifications:

Education & Experience

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field (or equivalent practical experience).

5-10 years of software development experience, with at least 3+ years in a management role leading multiple teams.

Proven track record of delivering enterprise-grade software products or large-scale systems.

Demonstrated experience implementing AI, automation, or efficiency-focused initiatives in a leadership role.

Skills & Competencies

Strong technical background with experience in modern software development languages, frameworks, and cloud platforms.

Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.

Deep understanding of AI/ML, process automation, and DevOps practices.

Ability to balance strategic planning with hands-on execution to improve delivery speed and reduce time-to-market.

Pay range for this role is $160,000.00-$170,000.00 annually, depending on experience.

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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: 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[email protected].

Nelnet is a Drug Free and Tobacco Free Workplace.