Senior Director, Compensation

At 2U, we are all in on purpose. We are motivated by our mission – to eliminate the back row in education – and connected by our shared passion to deliver world-class digital education at scale. As the parent company of edX, the world’s leading online learning platform, 2U powers more than 4,000 online higher education offerings – from free courses to full degrees. Together with more than 230 colleges, universities, and corporate partners, we are helping to unlock human potential.

What We’re Looking For:

The Senior Director, Compensation is responsible for the design, development, implementation and communication of global compensation plans consistent with the corporate total rewards philosophy. 

Strategically focuses on programs that have short to mid-term (1-3 years) impact on execution of a competitive and equitable strategy to attract, engage, and retain key talent. In addition, the position will monitor the effectiveness and cost competitiveness of programs and provide recommendations consistent with the compensation philosophy, business requirements, market and cost competitiveness. This role will work broadly across all global areas of compensation, especially executive compensation, and have a significant influence within global HR and the global business. This role will be hybrid, based out of our HQ in Lanham, MD.

Responsibilities Include, But Are Not Limited To:

1. Strategy and Growth 
   • Develop and execute a competitive and comprehensive Global Compensation strategy designed to attract and retain world-class talent in a competitive environment and ever-changing economic landscape
   • Ensure compensation philosophy and compensation pay practices are consistent with guiding principles and business objectives
   • Drive thought leadership to address current and emerging compensation and benefits trends and issues
   • Recommend revisions, new plans, or processes that are cost effective and consistent with market trends and the corporate philosophy and business objectives
   • Partner with HR and Employee Resource groups across the business to ensure employee understanding of salary administration, incentive, recognition, and equity programs through training programs and regular communications
   • Lead the participation in surveys/market studies for domestic and international compensation to ensure competitiveness and fairness in establishing company-wide salary ranges
2. Stakeholder Management
   • Work closely with internal functions (FP&A, Accounting, Equity, Payroll, Legal, Sales, other internal HR partners) and external partners/vendors to deliver creative and market-sensitive compensation strategies that are consistent, scalable and effective
   • Counsel human resources partners and management in all areas of compensation, including executive compensation, sales incentives, market pricing, internal equity, promotion opportunities, retention, and other pay components as necessary
   • Effectively manage external consulting, vendor relationships, and service providers including compensation survey vendors, compensation consultants, and executive compensation consultant
   • Serve as functional business owner for Compensation, guiding all prioritization decisions related to our systems and technology implementations and enhancements
   • Partner with Talent Acquisition to ensure our materials/collateral used for purposes of recruiting are competitive and drive our employee value proposition
3. Functional Leadership
   • Serve as internal functional lead for Compensation Committee, owning and driving agenda and materials 
   • Lead sales comp design to provide oversight and governance in our commission-based programs and plans
   • Lead and act as SME for all executive compensation initiatives
4. Process Development and Improvement
   • Research and document key economic drivers influencing compensation as they relate to market ranges, salary increase budgets by country
   • Establish best practices and recommend enhancements to annual salary review cycles, pay equity reviews, promotion practices, as well as stock compensation administration
5. Reporting and Compliance
   • Establish and maintain internal control standards, including timely implementation of internal and external audit points to ensure accurate and timely reporting of compensation, in compliance with governmental regulations, internal standards, and processes
   • Keep apprised of global governmental regulations to ensure compliance in those locations where the company operates
   • Prepare compensation disclosure tables and support the compensation disclosure and analysis, including narrative and tables
6. People Management
   • Lead, coach, mentor and support a team of managers, and analysts across multiple locations in the US, South Africa, UK and Australia, among others.

Things That Should Be In Your Background:

• Bachelor's degree required
• A minimum of 15 years of broad based and progressive experience designing and leading global compensation programs with 5+ years in leadership roles. 
• A minimum of 4 years of executive compensation experience. 
• Public company, hands-on functional experience and demonstrated knowledge of all aspects of compensation including sales compensation and executive compensation
• Experience in design, implementation and administration of salary structures and compensation plans. 
• Strong business acumen with a highly analytical process orientation. 
• Solid decision making, problem solving, consulting, influencing, relational and partnering skills. 
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills; ability to adapt to a variety of audiences. 
• Results oriented, high energy, and hands-on leader with demonstrated coaching and mentoring skills. 
• Knowledge of applicable regulations related to total rewards: FLSA, OFCCP, FAS, SEC, IRC, including 409A, ERISA, DOL, Title 7, Sarbanes-Oxley, Dodd-Frank, etc. 
• Ability to work with a diverse team in a fast-paced environment 
• Enthusiasm and the ability to thrive in an atmosphere of constant change 
• Passion for changing the landscape of higher education

Benefits & Culture

Our global employee base is a diverse collection of innovators, dreamers, and doers working together to transform lives through higher education. We believe that every employee can advance our shared purpose, and that life at 2U should be fun and meaningful. If you’re excited by the opportunity to provide over 40 million learners and counting with access to world-class online higher education, then join us – and do work that makes a difference. #NoBackRow

We offer comprehensive benefits (unique per country) and excellent work/life balance.
Full-time, U.S.benefits include: 

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Life insurance, disability, and 401(k) employer match
• Employee stock purchase plan
• Free snacks and drinks in-office
• Generous paid holidays and leave policies, including unlimited PTO
• Additional time off benefits include: volunteer days, parental leave, and a company-wide winter break

2U Diversity and Inclusion Statement

At 2U, we are committed to building and sustaining a culture of belonging, respect, and inclusion. We are proud of the steps we’ve taken to bring together an employee base that embodies diverse walks of life, ideas, genders, ages, races, cultures, sexual orientations, abilities and other unique qualities. We strive to offer a workplace where every employee feels empowered by what makes us different, as well as by how we are alike. 

2U is committed to providing reasonable accommodations during our recruitment process. If you need assistance or accommodations, please reach out to us at: recruitingaccommodations@2u.com. 

About 2U Inc. (NASDAQ: TWOU)

For more than a decade, 2U, Inc. has been the digital transformation partner of choice to great non-profit colleges and universities delivering high-quality online education at scale. As the parent company of edX, a leading global online learning platform, 2U provides over 45 million learners with access to world-class education in partnership with more than 230 colleges, universities, and corporations. Our people and technology are powering more than 4,000 digital education offerings — from free courses to full degrees — and helping unlock human potential. To learn more: visit 2U.com.

About edX

edX is the education movement for restless learners and a leading global online learning platform from 2U, Inc. (Nasdaq: TWOU). Together with the majority of the world’s top-ranked universities and industry-leading companies, we bring our community of over 45 million learners world-class education to support them at every stage of their lives and careers, from free courses to full degrees. And we're not stopping there — we're relentlessly pursuing our vision of a world where every learner can access education to unlock their potential, without the barriers of cost or location. Learn more at edX.org.

Learn more at https://2u.com/careers/
#NoBackRow

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by individuals assigned to this position, and are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required. All employees may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed.

2U is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against applicants or employees and ensures equal employment opportunity for all persons regardless of their race, creed, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, national origin, age, marital status, disability, citizenship, military or veterans’ status, or any other classifications protected by applicable federal, state or local laws. 2U’s equal opportunity policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including but not limited to recruiting, hiring, training, promotion, job benefits and pay.