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 the compliance, development, and management of academic staff and performance evaluation systems for a portfolio of academic roles. To succeed, you must closely partner with Academic Analysis and Insight, Instructional Recruitment, Curriculum, Centralized Support, University Relations, Educator Operations Teams, and our University Partners. From the moment an educator receives their offer to join our teaching force, you will collaboratively ensure that they are ready to teach by the first day of class, feel supported throughout their teaching experience, and are fired up to put students first and never stop improving! 

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. 

It is expected that the Academic Manager is able to use their initiative, work well under pressure and take ownership of operational and administrative tasks in consultation with the Sr Manager, Academic Management.

What skills are aligned to this role?

• Relationship Building: Manage and build relationships with 100's of educators.
• Project Management: Support initiatives that improve the educator experience 
• Platform Knowledge: Understand various platforms our educators use in order to increase proficiency 
• Risk management: Ability to discern when an educator issues needs to be raised to the attention of management.
• Effective Communication: Ability to support educator focused initiatives via 1:1 communication, larger trainings 
• Ability to maintain focus and prioritize in a complex landscape: Support AMS quarterly OKRS 
• Cross functional collaboration to push forward AMS initiatives

Responsibilities Include, But Are Not Limited To:

Academic Staffing for instructional staff roles within a portfolio

• Ensure the organization is compliant with payment, hours, and teaching assignments using our Workforce Management System
• Engage in performance data and implement necessary strategies and conversations for retention within the portfolio.
• Support implementation and maintenance of all educator facing policies and updates. 
• Maintain presentation related records and databases by creating and applying updates to academic and presentation management related knowledge systems. Support effective interdepartmental query and workflow management through the creation and assignment of tasks.
• Maintain a minimum of a basic knowledge of our Online Learning Campus, systems and course delivery processes.

Support Instructional Staff Engagement and Strategic Partnerships 

• Build relationships with instructors in a portfolio to ensure we have accurate data in order to identify the ways in which we can best engage them (i.e. Focus groups, Survey analysis, etc...)
• Responsible for clear touch points throughout the instructional staff member’s experience with close collaboration cross functional teams including Academic and student Engagement teams.
• Innovate and execute strategies based on educator feedback  with your portfolio. Connect educators to opportunities in service of our organizational goals and vision for instructional engagement
• Communicate professionally and effectively with internal and external stakeholders at all times, acting as gatekeepers through management of academic processes. 
• Support educators with adopting, understanding and implementing any and all 2u/edX policies.

Drive Instructional Staff Satisfaction and Student Impact 

• Develop expertise in what it means to teach the edX Boot Camps or Exec Ed way. 
• Track and support educators through the onboarding process and advocating for process change to improve systematic hurdles. 
• Analyze program and classroom level data on a weekly cadence to inform and support full team decision making. 
• Guide production teams during the course design phase during design consideration meetings by informing them of student and facilitator behavior and engagement during the presentation phase
• Channel feedback to cross functional teams focused on  academic management and educator experience
• Support the development and maintenance of an instructional community of educators.

Things That Should Be In Your Background:

• At least 3 years applicable work experience (coaching, adult learners, training, etc)
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Working knowledge of Google Suite and Salesforce is advantageous.

Other Attributes That Will Help You In This Role:

• Knowledge of the edtech industry and/or academic management experience 
• Some contract management and/or project management skills 

Working Conditions 

• Fast paced and high-pressure work environment requires Academic Specialists to be adaptable to fluctuating task situations and demands. 
• Works well with others - strong interpersonal and communication skills
• The nature of the work requires 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: [email protected]. 

About 2U LLC

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.