Curriculum Management Director

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 Curriculum Management Director is the primary Learning team liaison and relationship owner with external academic partner leadership for an assigned portfolio of curricula and learning products across 2U’s university and industry partners. Initially, the Curriculum Management Director’s portfolio will comprise UK-based programmes; assignments may change to meet evolving business needs and the portfolio may include non-UK partners as well. 

The Curriculum Management Director oversees a portfolio of programs/products through each stage of the life cycle, ensuring each curriculum and/or product is developed according to defined requirements. They lead curricular planning and investment management for each program/product, as well as data-driven evaluation and continuous improvement efforts, providing strategic direction and support for the partner, the program, and the curriculum/product, in alignment with 2U business priorities and target investment. They may also engage in leading early curricular planning with prospective partners during the pre-contract phase. 

To do so successfully will require the ability to 

• Establish new and grow existing relationships with external academic partner leadership, Learning teams, 2U Program Leadership team, and other internal stakeholders 
• Influence members of Learning team to deliver high quality curriculum and products on budget, on time, and meeting all product/program requirements
• Understand budgets, financial data, forecasting; implement financial management processes and tools, as needed
• Thrive in an atmosphere of continuous change, while focusing on priorities, and constantly driving toward solutions
• Demonstrate sound judgment and be comfortable with independent decision-making;
• Manage multiple competing priorities
• Collaborate effectively with other members of the Curriculum Management team as needed to achieve goals

Responsibilities Include, But Are Not Limited To:

1. Curriculum Planning & Investment Management

• Ensure adherence to target budget for contracted curriculum build; communicate curriculum budgets and course level profiles/ targets to internal Learning teams.
• Track budgets using monthly financial data. Identify and escalate risks to target investment; recommend and drive implementation of solutions to remediate, as needed.
• Gather, define, and disseminate curricular requirements (accreditation, regulatory, institutional, program-specific.) Effectively communicate and brief-in requirements to Learning teams to ensure all courses are developed to the highest standard of quality and meet agreed-upon requirements.
• For new products/programs, in partnership with external academic program leadership, develop and oversee plan for initial curriculum build considering all factors such as paths of study, faculty availability, etc. 
• Develop annual strategic curricular plans for each assigned program to support business objectives, meet program priorities, and drive improvements within established investment parameters.
• Maintain quality of curriculum to meet program requirements and student needs via data-driven revisions and product enhancements.
• Prioritize, scope, and submit requests for ongoing course revisions and product enhancements in alignment with investment guidance, partner needs, product requirements, and business strategy.
• Provide known and projected course development & continuous improvement work to inform Learning teams’ resourcing.
• Ensure accurate program and course data is entered and maintained in internal systems; maintain clear and precise records of program requirements, curriculum structure, course information, school leadership and faculty details.
• Contribute program-specific curricular knowledge to support existing partner growth and development of new products that repurpose existing content.
• As assigned, lead pre-contract curricular planning; gather requirements to inform budget and define critical pathway to product launch. 

2. External and Internal Stakeholder Management

• Develop and maintain successful relationships with external academic leadership for assigned portfolio, through regular, clear communication of expectations, progress, and swift issue resolution - through all stages of the partnership.
• Collaborate with external leadership and Learning Strategy to define curriculum brand identity. 
• Influence alignment between academic leadership and their designated faculty
• Develop and maintain successful relationships with key members of Global Learning Team, 2U Program Leadership Team (PLT), and other key internal stakeholders, as required for each assigned partner. 
• Serve as the internal point of contact and representative of Learning for portfolio; advocate for and representative of curricular and partner academic needs in Program Leadership Team (PLT).
• Leverage external relationships to support existing partner growth and development of new products.
• As assigned, in the pre-contract phase set expectations of Learning team services and collaboration, and foster trust with prospective partners.

3. Strategic Initiatives

As workload permits, and at their manager’s direction, contribute to strategic initiatives to support team goals and business priorities. Examples may include:

• Contribute to onboarding and training of new Curriculum Management Leads and Curriculum Management Directors.
• Represent Curriculum Management in cross-functional task forces
• Collaborate on initiatives to develop team-wide best practices and standards
• Create opportunities to evaluate and improve collaborations with internal stakeholders
• Identify trends in emerging curricular needs to report to senior management

Things That Should Be In Your Background:

• Bachelor’s degree required
• 8+ years demonstrated success in client-facing account management role in the education field 
• Experience and/or demonstrated knowledge of the 2U Executive Education business and internal processes 
• Demonstrated knowledge of the UK Higher Education sector
• Experience developing or leading online learning initiatives in a business and/or academic setting 
• Ability to drive performance and accountability without positional authority
• Demonstrated excellence in driving solutions and managing competing priorities in a fast-paced, rapidly-evolving environment
• Strong negotiator who can balance and prioritize partner requirements against budgetary and functional constraints
• Familiarity with forecasting and budget management
• Excellent organizational and multitasking skills with superior attention to detail and demonstrated problem-solving success
• Excellence in spoken and written communications, especially customer-facing presentation skills
• Technical competency in GSuite, demonstrated ability to learn new technologies and/or systems  
• Familiarity with OPM and online education markets, both business and academic settings
• Facility with British English spelling, grammar, terminology, and business/cultural sensitivities

Other Attributes That Will Help You In This Role:

• Advanced degree or related course work, or equivalent professional experience
• Experience working directly with academic administration and/or leadership (e.g. Deans or Provosts)
• Product management or development responsibility for digital products or services. defining, communicating, and driving fulfillment of product requirements
• Familiarity with learning design, online learning platforms and technologies, and development of digital content
• Experience in managing P&L and budgets
• Experience in OPM and online education market, in either a business or academic setting, including international markets

Working Conditions

• Availability during UK standard business hours required.
• Travel estimated to be 5-10%, may include international travel.

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, ZA benefits include: 

• 2 complimentary Getsmarter short courses per year
• Subsidised medical aid with Discovery Health Medical Scheme
• 4% 2U contribution towards Discovery Life Pension Fund and Group Risk Benefit
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Generous leave policy including time off to volunteer for non-profit organization, study leave, sports leave and a company-wide festive season 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. 

2U is strongly committed to diversity within its community and especially welcomes applications from South African citizens who are members of designated groups who may contribute to Employment Equity within the workplace and the further diversification of ideas. In this regard, the relevant laws and principles associated with Employment Equity will be considered when appointing potential candidates. We are required by law to verify your ability to work lawfully in South Africa. 2U requires that you submit a copy of either your identity document or your passport and any applicable work permit if you are a foreign national, along with an updated curriculum vitae.