Vice President, Strategy & Operations

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:

he VP, Strategy & Operations (Office of the CPO) is a highly critical senior leadership role combining strategic planning, project/program management, and business process implementation & optimization, across a complex and fast-moving business. This role will support the CPO in daily operations, and act as a strategic advisor. They will manage strategic projects in support of corporate objectives, drive organizational business planning (both strategic and tactical), and collaborate with the CPO and other members of the executive team to define and drive the company’s strategy. This role is remote, and can be based anywhere in the United States.

Responsibilities Include, But Are Not Limited To:

Strategic Projects and Planning

The VP will help drive and facilitate the solutions to challenges or opportunities at hand, will ensure the correct individuals across the org are engaged, and that projects are appropriately prioritized and completed. They will also: 

• Partner with the CPO to build and regularly update the strategic plan and priorities and report progress to stakeholders including the senior leadership team (SLT), Board of Directors and the broader organization. 
• Help define and drive the organization’s strategic processes, ensuring strategic priorities and goals are aligned across functions, and cascaded through teams.
• Drive the execution of strategic initiatives and key projects.
• Assist in resource allocation and budgeting processes.
• Provide support and oversight for special projects and initiatives.
• Identify and help solve core problems or opportunities within the business.
• Help the CEO and other executive leaders identify and address risks and opportunities when business decisions are made.

Business Process Management

• Build systems and structures needed to implement strategy & vision, drive cross-functional collaboration and throughput. This includes senior leadership team meetings, strategic initiatives execution & monitoring, organizational process improvement, and organization design
• Manage and drive initiatives, projects or outstanding items that may result from leadership team meetings or events
• Partner with the CPO and other members of the product leadership team to ensure proper reporting and operational dashboards are in place to track and measure progress for the CPO, CEO, and other key stakeholders. 
• Partner with the CPO and other members of finance & product leadership to manage budget, track & optimize OpEx & CapEx spend, identify potential areas of duplication & efficiency, manage headcount planning & tracking
• Work with the CPO and CPO’s executive assistant to plan quarterly all hands meetings, facilitate team offsites, and help manage organization events. 

Executive Communications

• In partnership with the communications team, the VP will support the development of communications and presentations on behalf of the CPO and will ensure the priorities of the company and organization are communicated to the appropriate stakeholders including, but not limited to, the executive team, the Senior Leadership Team, and the entire company.  
• Help the CPO proactively manage inbound and outbound correspondence, with an emphasis on identifying potential business growth opportunities

Things That Should Be In Your Background:

• A bachelor's degree (preferably) in Business, MBA highly preferred
• A minimum of of 10 years’ professional work experience, with at least 3 years in a leadership position
• Excellent verbal, written, analytical, organizational and motivational skills
• Experience in project management, communications, and change management
• Experience in development of executive-level briefing, presentations and analysis
• Ability to handle multiple responsibilities and tasks concurrently in a fluid environment

Other Attributes That Will Help You In This Role:

• Strong work ethic with a “can do” positive attitude
• Strong “EQ” and intuition 
• Highly proactive
• Solid organizational skills with a laser-focused eye for detail
• Impeccable written and oral communication skills
• Poised demeanor when dealing with all stakeholders including CEO, executives, academic leaders, and partners

While this position is open to remote candidates across the U.S., we will prioritize those who live in the Washington-Baltimore metropolitan area and who are available to come into our Headquarters in Lanham, MD two days a week.

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

The anticipated base salary range for this role is $200,000-$275,000, with potential bonus eligibility.  Salary offers are made based on the candidate’s qualifications, experience, skills, and education as they directly relate to the requirements of the position, budget for the position and cost of labor in the market in which the candidate will be hired.

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: [email protected]. 

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.