Senior Manager, Career Experience & Program Strategy

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.

Summary of Job:

The Senior Manager, Career Experience & Program Strategy is responsible for leading the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of learner-facing career initiatives across all program offerings. This role blends strategic thinking, project management, content development, operational oversight, and cross-functional collaboration to ensure scalable, high-quality career support services aligned with organizational goals and learner outcomes.

This individual will work closely with teams across product, learning, enrollment, student engagement, engineering, and analytics to drive career success integration, deliver contractually obligated services, and evolve career programming in response to workforce trends and learner needs.

A successful candidate will be a creative problem solver, strong communicator, and strategic thinker with a deep understanding of learner engagement and operational excellence.

Key Responsibilities:

Career Strategy & Program Development 

• Lead the development and implementation of career program strategies that support learner development and job readiness across a diverse, global learner population.

• Design and maintain scalable synchronous and asynchronous career education content (e.g., toolkits, online lessons, workshops, microlearning).

• Collaborate with internal partners to ensure integration of labor market trends, learner feedback, and partner expectations into content and programming.

• Partner with Learning, Product, and Curriculum teams to align career initiatives with academic programming and emerging career pathways.

Career Coaching Support & Stakeholder Advising 

• Provide insight and resources for student-facing teams who deliver one-on-one coaching and advising services.

• Advise internal stakeholders and vendor partners on AI resume review, job search strategy, and other career development initiatives.

• Liaise with employer networks, job boards, and platform teams to ensure access to relevant career opportunities and tools.

• Serve as a trusted advisor to internal teams to help interpret learner career needs and identify programmatic solutions.

Operations, Delivery & Project Management 

• Lead cross-functional projects related to the design, rollout, and optimization of career services programming.

• Manage logistics and quality control for high-impact career initiatives, including workshops, virtual events, and career fairs.

• Develop and maintain standard operating procedures (SOPs) and support audits to ensure consistency and efficiency in delivery.

• Oversee career services delivery in international markets, ensuring global alignment and cultural relevance.

Systems, Tools & Data Strategy 

• Serve as the operational lead for platforms and tools supporting career services (e.g., Splash, Jira, Confluence, Wistia, Wordpress).

• Partner with data, engineering, and systems teams to optimize platforms, maintain accurate reporting, and ensure accessibility of career resources.

• Leverage data insights to inform strategy, improve learner experience, and measure success of career initiatives.

Team & Organizational Collaboration 

• Participate in cross-functional initiatives and strategic planning efforts to advance the mission of learner career success.

• Stay current on internal goals, industry trends, and best practices in education and career development.

• Engage in ongoing professional development and contribute to a high-performing, mission-aligned team culture.

Skills and Competencies:

• Strategic thinking and ability to connect insights across multiple workstreams

• Strong project management skills with attention to detail and follow-through

• Excellent written and verbal communication; able to simplify complex topics

• Ability to leverage data and research to guide decision-making

• Skilled at stakeholder engagement and cross-functional collaboration

• Proactive, solutions-oriented, and able to thrive in a remote, fast-paced environment

• Deep understanding of career development models, learner engagement, and labor market dynamics

Education and Experience:

• 7+ years of experience in career services, curriculum design, education operations, or a related field

• Demonstrated experience in developing career education programming and individualized career support (e.g., resume review, job search guidance)

• Experience leading cross-functional projects from conception to execution

• Familiarity with relevant tools and systems (e.g., Salesforce, Zoom, Excel, Google Suite; familiarity with Jira, Wordpress, Wistia is a plus)

• Experience in higher education, learner-facing services, or workforce development preferred

• Willingness to work occasional evenings or weekends and travel for team or company events

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 LLC

For more than a decade, 2U,  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. 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.