IT Vendor Management Lead

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 Vendor Management Lead will lead operational and administrative support to 2U’s IT vendor management function, ensuring smooth execution of vendor processes, accurate tracking of performance and contractual obligations, and effective coordination across IT, procurement, finance, and legal teams.

This role requires strong organizational and analytical skills, attention to detail, and a working knowledge of vendor lifecycle processes. The ideal candidate brings experience supporting vendor, procurement, or IT contract operations in a structured environment, and is comfortable managing documentation, tracking SLAs, and communicating with both internal stakeholders and external partners.

Reporting to the Director, Cybersecurity GRC, this individual will contribute directly to the maturity of 2U’s vendor governance practices, support compliance and audit readiness, and help streamline operational processes across the vendor lifecycle.

Responsibilities Include, But Are Not Limited To:

Vendor Lifecycle Support

• Assist in maintaining accurate records of vendor agreements, renewal dates, and key contract terms
• Track contract milestones and help ensure timely execution of renewals and reviews
• Manage vendor onboarding and offboarding tasks in collaboration with procurement, legal, and IT teams
• Meet with vendors regularly and create a support and incident management process and contact points with vendors
• Identify and reduce duplication of capabilities
• Single point of contact for receiving and managing invoices and coordination to a timely payment from 2U
• Maintain a complete and up to date inventory of all our contracts with vendors
• Ability to negotiate complex technology products and services contracts Optimize vendor spending by monitoring user usage and licensing

Performance and Compliance Support

• Collect, consolidate, and maintain SLA/KPI data for monthly and quarterly reporting
• Help prepare materials for vendor performance reviews and internal compliance assessments
• Support documentation efforts to meet audit and regulatory requirements (e.g., ISO 27001, SOC 2)

Operational Coordination

• Manage scheduling and logistics for vendor meetings, including QBRs and risk reviews
• Maintain shared documentation and vendor folders in accordance with internal standards
• Assist in the preparation of scorecards, summaries, and follow-up items after vendor meetings

Internal and Vendor Communication

• Serve as a point of contact for day-to-day vendor queries and basic issue tracking
• Route questions or escalations to the appropriate internal stakeholders or the Vendor Management Lead
• Support communication of vendor-related updates, such as changes to contact info, SLAs, or service details

Process Improvement and Documentation

• Maintain and update internal documentation for vendor management processes, tools, and templates
• Identify and suggest improvements to workflows related to contract tracking, reporting, and lifecycle management
• Support adoption of internal systems and tools used to manage vendor data and workflows

Things That Should Be In Your Background:

• 4-5 years of experience in vendor management, IT administration, procurement operations, or business support within a technology-driven environment
• Working knowledge of vendor management or contract administration processes
• Experience supporting contract tracking, vendor onboarding, and document management
• Exposure to compliance programs or audit support activities (e.g., SOC 2, ISO 27001)
• Proficiency in using spreadsheets and collaboration tools (e.g., Google Sheets, Excel, Confluence, or SharePoint)
• Strong attention to detail with the ability to organize, track, and maintain accurate vendor-related records
• Clear and professional communication skills, with comfort interacting with internal stakeholders and external vendors
• Ability to manage multiple administrative tasks, meet deadlines, and escalate issues appropriately

Other Attributes That Will Help You In This Role:

• Familiarity with frameworks such as ISO 27001 or ITIL is a plus

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

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.