Engagement Specialist II at National Education Loan Network, Inc. (NELN) — Lincoln, NE

The Engagement Specialist II is a strategic contributor on the Associate Experience (AEX) team responsible for designing, delivering, and continuously improving onboarding, engagement, recognition, and culture programs that enhance the associate experience across Nelnet. This role serves as a program owner, balancing day-to-day execution with long-term planning, process improvement, and data-informed decision making. The Engagement Specialist II is expected to identify opportunities to scale programs, streamline operations, and improve associate experiences through thoughtful use of technology, automation, and AI-enabled tools. This role partners closely with cross-functional stakeholders, Associate Resource Groups, Social Committees, and AEX team members to create meaningful experiences that strengthen connection, recognition, and belonging across the organization.

This position offers a hybrid work option. Nelnet values flexibility and understands the importance of work-life integration. Our hybrid work environment allows associates within 30 miles of an office to work remotely for part of the week, while also fostering collaboration and team connection through in-office presence.

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 as security clearance is required.

Onboarding, Pre-Onboarding & Employer Brand

• Own end-to-end coordination, design, facilitation, and continuous improvement of our onboarding program New to Nelnet (N2N), delivered biweekly, ensuring every session reflects current culture, priorities, and brand.
• Own end-to-end coordination, design, facilitation, and continuous improvement of our leadership onboarding program Circle Up, delivered monthly, adapting content and format based on associate feedback and engagement data.
• Create and lead a Shared Services-specific onboarding program from planning through execution, ensuring consistency with the broader AEX onboarding strategy.
• Design and continuously improve a holistic onboarding experience that supports associates through their first six months of employment, incorporating relevant resources, programs, and learning opportunities throughout the journey.
• Partner with Talent Acquisition to extend the Employee Value Proposition (EVP) language and feel into the onboarding experience, creating a seamless handoff from candidate to associate.
• Manage post-onboarding survey design, distribution, and data analysis, using findings to continuously refine the onboarding journey.

Recognition & Culture Programs

• Own end-to-end delivery of Nelnet's recognition and giving programs — including Nelnet Gives Summer of Service, SERVE, and the Service Award program — from concept through execution and measurement.
• Drive innovative event, celebration, and campaign concepts that keep recognition programs fresh and aligned with associate needs
• Own storytelling efforts that spotlight associate achievements and milestones enterprise wide.

Data, Insights & Program Automation

• Analyze participation, engagement, feedback, and program performance data to identify trends, measure impact, and recommend improvements that strengthen the associate experience.
• Develop and maintain dashboards and reporting tools that provide leadership with visibility into program participation, outcomes, and overall effectiveness.
• Identify, design, and implement scalable automation solutions that improve efficiency across onboarding, engagement, recognition, communications, and reporting processes.

AI Enablement & Continuous Learning

• Maintain a genuine curiosity for AI and a working knowledge of AI-powered tools, with a clear commitment to continuously building that knowledge as Nelnet's toolset evolves.
• Default to AI and automation as the first option, not an afterthought, when designing new programs, communications, or reporting processes.
• Partner with AEX and IT stakeholders to pilot new AI-enabled workflows for engagement and recognition programs and share learnings across the team.

Leadership & Strategic Partnership

• Serve as a trusted partner to leaders and stakeholders by providing recommendations, resources, and insights that enhance associate engagement, connection, and program effectiveness.
• Serve as a Nelnet culture ambassador, modeling forward-thinking, detail-oriented program ownership.
• Partner with Associate Resource Group and Social Committee leaders enterprise-wide to strengthen connection and belonging across all locations.
• Monitor trends in engagement, connection-building, and experience design, translating insight into recommendations for AEX leadership.
• Facilitate workshops and learning experiences that promote collaboration and meaningful connection across teams.
• Coordinate comprehensive event logistics, including timelines, planning documents, vendor partnerships, and on-site execution, for enterprise-wide experiences.
• Perform additional responsibilities as needed to support organizational goals.

Qualifications

• 2-4 years of experience in engagement, events, HR, or associate experience roles, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Demonstrated ownership of programs from concept through measurement.
• Strong project management skills with the ability to juggle multiple concurrent programs in a fast-paced, ambiguous environment.
• Comfort with data: gathering it, building dashboards from it, and using it to make and defend recommendations.
• Demonstrated interest in AI tools and automation, with a willingness to continuously learn new platforms as Nelnet's technology evolves.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to flex tone across audiences and channels.
• Creativity and strong collaboration skills, with a track record of developing innovative event and program concepts alongside cross-functional partners.
• A detail-oriented, forward-thinking mindset that looks for the next improvement rather than waiting for one to be assigned.

Compensation range for this role is $68,000- $73,000 annually, depending on experience.

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