Legal Counsel - Corporate

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.

Legal Counsel – Corporate position plays a key role in supporting a broad range of corporate and commercial legal matters across the organization. This position is responsible for drafting, reviewing, and negotiating contracts while providing strategic legal guidance to internal business partners. The ideal candidate will bring strong analytical skills and practical legal judgment to navigate complex transactional issues. This role collaborates closely with cross-functional teams to identify and mitigate legal risk while advancing Nelnet's business objectives.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Draft, review, negotiate, and manage a broad range of commercial agreements, including SaaS customer agreements, MSAs, SOWs, partnership agreements, NDAs, and vendor/procurement contracts.

• Provide practical, risk-balanced legal advice to sales, procurement, operations, and product teams that aligns with business objectives.

• Identify and escalate material legal and business risks appropriately while independently resolving routine matters.

• Assist with general corporate governance and compliance, including entity maintenance, board materials, and ancillary corporate filings.

• Support M&A, structured finance, joint venture, and restructuring transactions under senior attorney supervision.

• Help manage outside counsel on discrete projects as needed.

• Contribute to the development and maintenance of contract templates, playbooks, and internal legal guidelines.

• Support contract lifecycle management processes and drive efficiency improvements within the legal function.

• Collaborate cross-functionally with sales, finance, product, IT, security, and compliance teams to deliver clear, actionable legal guidance.

EDUCATION:

J.D. from an accredited U.S. law school and admission to practice law and in good standing in at least one U.S. jurisdiction required.

EXPERIENCE:  

3-5 years of relevant experience at a law firm and/or in-house legal department.  Experience drafting and negotiating commercial contracts, including SaaS or technology-related agreements.  Experience with general corporate and transactional matters.

Prefer prior in-house experience, particularly at a technology or financial services company; supporting corporate governance or routine transaction matters; and/or supporting capital markets, structured finance, and M&A transactions.

COMPETENCIES/SKILLS:  

Strong written and verbal communication skills

Ability to manage multiple matters simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.

Demonstrated ability to exercise sound judgment and deliver practical, business-focused advice.

The base salary range for this role is $125,000 to $165,000 depending on experience. We offer a highly competitive total compensation package that includes a base salary commensurate with experience, performance-based bonus opportunities, stock awards as part of our long-term incentive plan, and a competitive benefits package that includes health, retirement, wellness programs, and more.

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.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