Data Management Lead

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 Data Management Lead establishes and maintains standards that enable consistent, trusted master data across the organization. This role defines entity resolution, matching, survivorship, authoritative-source, and identifier practices for key data domains and validates that implemented solutions follow approved standards. Working across business and technology functions, the role resolves complex data ownership and quality issues, guides remediation, and embeds master data requirements into new systems and integrations. The position provides subject-matter leadership through expertise and influence rather than direct people management.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Develop, document, and maintain matching, threshold, survivorship, and golden-record standards for master data domains.

• Define canonical identifiers, authoritative sources, data ownership, and attribute-level governance rules across systems.

• Establish repeatable entity-resolution practices that support consistent recognition of the same entity across multiple sources.

• Partner with technical teams to translate approved master data standards into solutions and independently validate results against defined requirements.

• Set data quality thresholds and monitoring practices, including exception review and stewardship processes for records requiring manual resolution.

• Lead remediation of duplicate, conflicting, incomplete, and orphaned master records in coordination with data quality and system stakeholders.

• Embed master data requirements into system, data platform, integration, and implementation designs, including identifier assignment and data acceptance criteria.

• Evaluate vendor and partner approaches affecting master data, clarify scope boundaries, and assess alignment with approved standards.

• Maintain version control, change history, approvals, and traceability for master data rules and decisions.

• Facilitate cross-functional decisions, communicate recommendations, and report on master data quality, coverage, matching, and remediation progress.

Annual compensation range for this role is $120,000-$140,000 depending on experience.

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:  

Required: 

• Bachelor's degree in information systems, data analytics, computer science, business, or a related field, or equivalent relevant experience. 

Preferred: 

• Professional certification in data management, data governance, or master data management. 

EXPERIENCE:  

Required: 

• 5 or more years of experience in master data management, data quality, data governance, data engineering, or a related data discipline. 

• Experience defining match rules, thresholds, survivorship logic, identity resolution, or golden-record practices for one or more master data domains. 

• Experience working across multiple source systems and operational or analytical data platforms, including SQL-based data profiling and validation. 

• Experience creating governance and technical documentation that enables business and technical stakeholders to implement and verify standards. 

Preferred: 

• Experience embedding master data requirements into system implementations, integrations, or enterprise data initiatives. 

• Experience with master data management, match-and-merge, data catalog, customer relationship management, or cloud data warehouse platforms. 

SKILLS:   

• Data Fluency (SQL, data structures, architecture best practices) 

• Critical Thinking 

• Cross-Functional Leadership 

• Stakeholder Management 

• Technical Writing & Documentation 

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