Academic Manager

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:

As an Academic Manager, you are responsible for instructional team staffing within an assigned portfolio, including allocating educators to presentations and ensuring high-quality course delivery. You will partner with cross-functional 2U teams and our University Partners to ensure educators are prepared to teach, feel supported, and are committed to student success and continuous improvement. This role includes managing logistical and administrative processes involving educators, but not direct management.

The Academic Manager is responsible for quality checking, providing actionable feedback, assigning professional development, and precise record-keeping, all aiming towards improving learner outcomes and the educator experience. This individual uses their initiative, works well under pressure and takes ownership of operational and administrative tasks.

What skills are aligned to this role?

• Relationship Building: Manage and build relationships with a large portfolio of educators.
• Project Management: Support initiatives that improve the educator experience 
• Platform Knowledge: Develop proficiency in the platforms used by our educators.
• Risk management: Appropriately identify and escalate educator issues to management.
• Effective Communication: Support educator-focused initiatives through 1:1 communication and group training.
• Prioritization: Maintain focus and prioritize tasks to support Academic Management KPIs.
• Cross-functional collaboration: Collaborate with other teams to advance educator-related initiatives.

Responsibilities Include, But Are Not Limited To:

1. Instructional Staffing and Compliance

• Support academic staffing for instructional staff roles within a portfolio.
• Ensure compliance with payment, hours, and teaching assignments.
• Analyze performance data and recommend strategies to improve educator retention.
• Support the implementation and maintenance of educator policies and updates.
• Maintain presentation-related records and databases, and update academic and presentation management systems.
• Support interdepartmental communication and workflow management by creating and assigning tasks.
• Maintain a working knowledge of our Online Learning Campus, systems, and course delivery processes.

2. Educator Engagement and Strategic Partnerships

• Build relationships with instructors to gather data and identify opportunities to improve engagement (e.g., focus groups, surveys).
• Coordinate communication throughout the instructional staff member’s experience, working closely with Academic and Student Engagement teams.
• Develop and implement innovative strategies based on educator feedback.
• Connect educators to opportunities that align with organizational goals and the vision for instructional engagement.
• Communicate professionally and effectively with internal and external stakeholders, managing academic processes.
• Support educators in understanding and implementing 2U/edX policies.Support Instructional Staff Engagement and Strategic Partnerships 

3. Educator Satisfaction and Student Impact

• Develop expertise in effective teaching practices for Executive Education programs.
• Support educators through the onboarding process and advocate for process improvements.
• Analyze program and classroom-level data on a weekly basis to inform team decisions.
• Provide input to production teams during course design meetings, based on student and facilitator behavior and engagement data.
• Provide feedback to cross-functional teams regarding academic management and the educator experience.
• Support the development and maintenance of an instructional community of educators.
• Ensure timely completion of academic process delivery as it relates to student grades, appeals and plagiarism

Things That Should Be In Your Background:

• At least 3 years of experience in coaching, adult learning, or training.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Knowledge of the edtech industry and/or academic management experience (preferred).
• Some contract management and/or project management skills (preferred).
• Working knowledge of Google Suite and Salesforce is an advantage.
• Adaptability to changing task situations and demands.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills; ability to work well with others.
• Strong time management, organizational, and computer skills.

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.