IT Project Manager

Are you a technically grounded project manager ready to lead complex software development and cloud transformation initiatives? Nelnet is looking for an experienced IT Project Manager who can seamlessly bridge the worlds of technical execution and strategic delivery within our NDS IT Delivery organization. Job Constraints At this time, we are unable to move forward with external candidates that reside in the following states: Alabama, California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington. Job Responsibilities Manages and directs project teams to meet project objectives, with a focus on custom software development, system integration, and cloud-based initiatives. Leads technical project teams through the full Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC), including application design, development, testing, and deployment phases. Manages application cloud migration projects, coordinating across infrastructure, architecture, development, and security teams to ensure successful transitions. Champions the adoption of AI tools within the project team to drive team efficiency, and leads projects where AI capabilities are being developed, integrated, or operationalized. Reviews, evaluates, and formulates project plans, schedules, and budgets; identifies and negotiates milestones, resource requirements, and tradeoffs to meet project objectives. Oversees requirements solicitation, refinement, and definition for assigned projects; ensures technical requirements are clearly understood and traceable throughout delivery. Partners with enterprise architects and technical leads to ensure proposed solutions align with organizational standards, cloud architecture patterns, and long-term scalability needs. Manages staff and budget resources required to meet changing corporate priorities and project demands. Leads problem resolution and decision-making through facilitation, structured troubleshooting, and escalation management. Organizes and guides project operations using Agile or hybrid methodologies appropriate to the technical complexity and scope of the work. Evaluates and reports project progress in terms of quality, performance, and delivery metrics common to IT and software development projects. Works with various departments to coordinate systems testing, deployment, training, and post-implementation support. Assesses, tracks, and manages project risks, dependencies, and issues; communicates status clearly and consistently to stakeholders at all levels. Bridges the gap between technical teams and business stakeholders, ensuring alignment, shared understanding, and clarity throughout the project lifecycle. Education Bachelor's degree in information science or related field and/or equivalent combination of education and experience. PMP or PMI-ACP certification preferred. Coursework or certifications in cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) or AI/ML fundamentals are a plus. Experience Demonstrated experience leading technical project teams comprised of software developers, cloud engineers, architects, QA engineers, and business analysts, preferably in a matrixed organization. Hands‑on experience managing full‑cycle application development. Experience with application cloud migration projects (lift‑and‑shift, re‑platforming, or re‑architecting) is strongly preferred. Demonstrated ability to use AI productivity tools (such as GitHub Copilot, Claude, ChatGPT, or similar) to increase personal and team efficiency in a professional setting. Experience leading projects where AI or machine learning capabilities were being built, integrated, or deployed is a significant differentiator. Expert‑level experience working with Jira, Confluence, SharePoint, and Excel for project tracking, documentation, reporting, and resource management. Strong background in software development and technology is required. The ideal candidate will have hands‑on familiarity with modern development practices, technical architecture, and a working understanding of IT infrastructure and cloud environments. Competencies – Skills/Knowledge/Abilities Ability to manage projects from inception through successful post‑implementation, including lessons learned and transition to support. Demonstrated competency in developing effective solutions to successfully resolve diverse and complex business and technical problems. Familiarity with modern development practices including CI/CD pipelines, DevOps principles, containerization (Docker/Kubernetes), and API‑driven architectures. Demonstrated use of AI tools in a professional project delivery context; ability to coach and encourage team members on AI‑assisted workflows. Comfort with ambiguity in emerging technology spaces — particularly AI and cloud — where methodologies and best practices continue to evolve rapidly. Strong analytical, communications, technical teamwork, and interpersonal skills. Proficiency in Jira, Confluence, and SharePoint; experience with other database utilities and Microsoft technologies preferred. Ability to bridge the gap between technical teams and business stakeholders, ensuring alignment and clarity throughout the project lifecycle. Assesses and manages project risks, dependencies, and issues with a proactive and structured approach. Employment Equity 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. Qualified individuals with disabilities who require reasonable accommodations in order to apply or compete for positions at Nelnet may request such accommodations by contacting Nelnet Corporate Recruiting. 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. #J-18808-Ljbffr