Product owner Jobs in Des Moines, IA

Nelnet is a diversified and innovative company committed to enriching lives through the power of service as a student loan servicer, professional services company, consumer loan originator and servicer, payments processor, renewable energy solutions, and K-12 and higher education expert. For over 40 years, Nelnet has been serving its customers, associates, and communities.

The perks of working at Nelnet go beyond our benefits package. When you join the Nelnet team, you're part of a community invested in the success of each individual. That support comes through in our work, as we are united by our mission of creating opportunities for people where they live, learn, and work.

The Workday Financials Product Owner is responsible for the strategic vision, roadmap, and value realization of the Workday FINs platform. This role blends project management expertise, product ownership, and stakeholder engagement to drive transformation and business outcomes across finance operations. The Product Owner will manage multiple projects, delegate tasks effectively, influence change, and foster ownership and buy-in among stakeholders.

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.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

Product Ownership:

• Define and communicate product vision.

• Build strategic roadmaps based on business needs and system usage.

• Continuously improve finance processes.

• Maintain and enhance FINs technology landscape.

Project Management:

• Oversee multiple projects, delegate tasks, set priorities, and ensure accountability.

• Track progress and report key metrics.

• Run effective meetings and sprint planning.

Stakeholder Engagement & Change Management:

• Build trust with finance teams.

• Translate needs into requirements and user stories.

• Drive user enablement and feature adoption, support training and rollouts.

Governance & Collaboration:

• Represent FINs in governance forums and executive meetings.

• Collaborate with developers, integration teams, and other platform owners.

• Work with global process owners to improve service delivery.

EDUCATION:

Bachelor's degree in accounting or finance information system management

COMPETENCIES:

• Business-Savvy & Strategic: Understands financial processes and prioritizes features that deliver business value.

• Empathetic Communicator: Listens to stakeholders and builds trust across departments.

• Detail-Oriented but Visionary: Balances tactical execution with long-term planning.

• Decisive & Assertive: Defends backlog priorities and makes trade-offs confidently.

• Collaborative & Adaptable: Works well with cross-functional teams and adapts to changing needs.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Hands-on experience with Workday Financials modules (Financial Accounting, Procurement, Expenses, Reporting & Analytics, Prism, Adaptive)

• Proven project management skills

• Product ownership or Agile experience

• Background in finance or accounting; understanding of GAAP, financial reporting, and internal controls

• Technical acumen with Workday Studio, EIBs, integrations, and reporting logic

• Experience managing multiple projects/programs in a complex, global organization

• Strong change management and training skills

Pay range for this role is $100,000-$125,000 annually, depending on experience.

#LI-CW1

#LI-Hybrid

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 corporaterecruiting@ .

Nelnet is a Drug Free and Tobacco Free Workplace.

You may know Nelnet as the nation's largest student loan servicer - but we do more than that. A lot more. We're also a professional services company, consumer loan originator and servicer, payment processor, renewable energy innovator, and K-12 and higher education expert (and that's just a shortlist). For over 40 years, we've been serving our customers, associates, and communities to make dreams possible.

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