Email Marketing Specialist

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 Email Marketing Specialist, you are at the heart of our mission to connect students with world-class educational opportunities. You will orchestrate the full lifecycle of email marketing campaigns, from strategic conception to deployment, analysis, and optimization. Leveraging leading marketing automation platforms like Salesforce Marketing Cloud and Braze, you will translate data-driven insights into compelling, personalized experiences for prospective students. The ideal candidate is a detail-oriented, proactive, strategic thinker who is passionate about marketing technology, thrives in a dynamic environment, and is eager to explore how emerging technologies, including AI, can enhance our processes and deliver greater value to our university partners.

Responsibilities Include, But Are Not Limited To:

• Campaign Execution & Personalization:
  • Orchestrate and deploy sophisticated email campaigns using Salesforce Marketing Cloud and Braze.
  • Manage audience segmentation, dynamic content, and personalization to ensure a high-quality, error-free execution that resonates with target audiences.
• Strategy & Performance Optimization: 
  • Act as a strategic consultant to internal marketing and admissions stakeholders.
  • Analyze campaign performance, A/B test results, and engagement data to provide actionable insights and recommendations.
  • Proactively identify and implement strategies to improve KPIs, including deliverability, open rates, click-through rates, and conversions.
• AI & Innovation:
  • Stay current with the latest trends in marketing technology, with a specific focus on AI.
  • Identify and evaluate opportunities to leverage AI-powered tools (e.g., generative AI for content, predictive analytics for segmentation, Send Time Optimization) to increase internal efficiency and enhance the effectiveness of our marketing campaigns for university partners.
• Campaign & Asset Management:
  • Manage the end-to-end lifecycle of email campaigns, ensuring all creative assets, copy, and stakeholder approvals are secured in a timely manner.
  • Maintain a highly organized workflow to manage competing priorities and strict deadlines effectively
• Reporting & Analytics:
  • Develop and maintain performance dashboards and reports to effectively communicate campaign results to stakeholders.
  • Translate complex data into clear, concise summaries that inform future decision-making.

Things That Should Be In Your Background:

• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Communications, or a related field preferred.
• Minimum of 2 years of hands-on experience deploying, developing, and optimizing email campaigns within a marketing automation platform.
• Salesforce Marketing Cloud experience is strongly preferred.
• Experience with other modern engagement platforms (e.g., Braze) is a significant plus.
• A genuine interest in and understanding of emerging AI technologies and their application in digital marketing.
• Strong analytical skills with proven experience interpreting performance data, building reports, and making data-driven recommendations.
• Solid understanding of A/B testing methodologies and best practices.
• Working knowledge of HTML and SQL for email is a plus.
• Excellent collaborator with strong communication skills, capable of working effectively with cross-functional teams.
• Highly organized and detail-oriented, with a proactive, self-starting mindset and a strong sense of ownership. 

Working Conditions:

This role typically works 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM with breaks throughout the day.

Physical Requirements:

This role will primarily be sedentary using a computer, keyboard, and telephone to perform most duties.

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.