Product Owner - Consumer

Nelnet • Lincoln, NE

3d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Product Owner partners with stakeholders and delivery teams to define, prioritize, and deliver product features aligned with business goals. The role ensures transparency, drives continuous improvement, and supports strategic alignment through collaboration across business, IT, and leadership teams. The Product Owner reports directly to the Product Owner Manager.

This role follows Nelnet’s hybrid work model, combining in-office and remote work. Associates residing within 30 miles of an office are expected to work in-office 24 hours per week under the standard schedule, which may change at the manager’s discretion. Candidates must live within 30 miles of Lincoln, Nebraska; Madison, Wisconsin; or Centennial, Colorado. Internal associates working remotely are eligible to apply.

Requirements

• Proven experience as a Product Owner, Product Manager, or in a similar role.
• Strong communication, leadership, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to manage expectations and keep stakeholders informed.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
• Candidates must live within 30 miles of Lincoln, NE; Madison, WI; or Centennial, CO, unless they are internal associates working remotely.

Responsibilities

• Engage stakeholders to understand needs and prioritize features based on business value.
• Communicate requirements, progress, and value to delivery teams and business stakeholders at an appropriate level of detail.
• Collaborate with users and clients to translate needs into actionable requirements.
• Negotiate priorities and facilitate alignment across teams.
• Report status and escalate risks to the Product Manager.
• Partner with the Product Manager to maintain a cohesive product vision.
• Support roadmap development and ensure alignment with strategic goals.
• Promote transparency in product delivery and decision-making.
• Learn the product line to align with user needs and understand dependencies, risks, and business goals.
• Manage and prioritize the product backlog as needed.
• Ensure backlog visibility and clarity for teams and stakeholders.
• Oversee product development stages and track progress using relevant metrics.
• Participate in or lead agile ceremonies when relevant to product initiatives.
• Lead teams toward achieving product goals.
• Contribute to monitoring product investment, spend, and ROI.
• Assist with creating cost-benefit analyses for proposed initiatives.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Health savings account (HSA) and flexible spending account (FSA).
• Generous earned time off.
• 401(k) and student loan repayment.
• Life and AD&D insurance.
• Employee assistance program.
• Employee stock purchase program.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• Performance-based incentive pay.
• Short- and long-term disability insurance.
• Wellness program.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level