VP, Academic Innovation and Strategic Partnerships

At 2U, we are all in on purpose. We are motivated by our mission – to make learning limitless– and connected by our shared passion to deliver world-class higher education at scale. As the parent company of edX, a leading online learning platform, 2U powers thousands of  higher education offerings – from free courses to full degrees. Together with our college, university, and corporate partners, we are helping accelerate careers and transform lives. 

What We’re Looking For:

The VP, Academic Innovation and Strategic Partnerships will serve as a visionary academic lead and a primary driver of cross-product innovation across the 2U Degree and Alternative Credentials business lines. They will lead senior level academic relationships in the edX LOB. This is a senior leadership role with primary responsibility for bridging the gap between edX business strategy and the academic mission of university partners. This role acts as a strategic partner to the VP, Senior General Manager and the broader edX Partner management team, providing senior-level support to cultivate deep institutional relationships. As the primary academic lead in Partnerships, this individual will drive cross-product innovation across Executive Education (EE) and Degree business lines, ensuring that 2U’s offerings remain at the forefront of digital education.

Responsibilities Include, But Are Not Limited To:

•  Senior Academic Engagement & Relationship Leadership
  • Executive University Relations: Build and sustain senior-level relationships with edX partners, engaging Provosts, Deans, and faculty to align institutional goals with the edX platform.
  • University Partner Advisory Council Leadership: Lead and facilitate the University Partner Advisory Council for edX, serving as the primary voice for academic collaboration and feedback.
  • Senior Support: Act as a high-level advisor and support for the VP, Snr General Manager and the broader edX Partner management team to resolve complex academic or strategic partnership challenges.
  • Strategy Alignment: Work closely with the edX Director to ensure that business strategies are fully integrated with the strategic priorities of university partners.

• Academic Innovation & Cross-Product Strategy
  • Academic Lead: Serve as the primary academic authority for the edX business line, working within the matrix org overseeing the integrity and innovation of educational offerings.
  • Cross-Product Innovation: Drive innovation across EE and Degree business lines, identifying opportunities for cross-functional synergy and product evolution.
  • Lead Partnerships Liaison: Act as the primary lead for the edX Director regarding partnership strategy and senior partner management.

• Business Development & Strategic Growth
  • New Business Development: Assist in identifying and securing new business opportunities, leveraging academic expertise to build compelling value propositions for potential partners.
  • Growth Strategy: Collaborate with the VP, Sr. General Manager to develop long-term growth plans that balance operational targets with academic excellence.
  • Matrix Leadership: Coordinate with internal functional heads - including Curriculum & Learning Education, Operations and Tech - to ensure the successful delivery of high-quality, innovative academic content.

Things That Should Be In Your Background:

• Education: Master’s degree required; Doctorate or equivalent academic leadership experience preferred.
• Experience: 15+ years of experience in Higher Education or EdTech, with a proven track record of managing complex university partnerships at an executive level.
• Academic Insight: Deep understanding of academic governance, curriculum innovation, and the evolving digital education landscape.
• Leadership: Demonstrated success in a matrixed environment, with the ability to influence senior internal and external stakeholders without direct authority.

Other Attributes That Will Help You In This Role:

• Strategic Vision: Ability to synthesize market trends and academic needs into actionable business strategies.
• Relationship Management: Exceptional interpersonal skills with the ability to navigate complex institutional hierarchies.
• Communication: Reflective and persuasive communication style suitable for engaging both academic and corporate executives.
• Excellent commercial acumen and strategic judgement, particularly within the EdTech or Higher Ed space.  
• Strong financial acumen, including financial models.
• Confident decision-making and the ability to lead people to results.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and listening skills, with proven success in go to market roles.

While this position is open to remote candidates across the U.S., we will prioritize those who live in the Washington-Baltimore metropolitan area and who are available to come into our Headquarters in Arlington, VA two days a week.

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 millions of learners and counting with access to world-class higher education, then join us – and do work that makes a difference. 

We offer comprehensive benefits (unique per country) and excellent work/life balance.
Full-time, U.S.benefits include: 

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

Life insurance, disability, and 401(k) employer match

Free snacks and drinks in-office

Generous paid holidays and leave policies, including unlimited PTO

Additional time off benefits include: volunteer days, parental leave, and a company-wide winter break

The anticipated base salary range for this role is ($261,900 - 310,500), with potential bonus eligibility. Salary offers are made based on the candidate’s qualifications, experience, skills, and education as they directly relate to the requirements of the position, budget for the position and cost of labor in the market in which the candidate will be hired.

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

2U partners with the world's top universities and companies to develop and deliver education programs that accelerate careers and transform lives. Through partnerships with the world’s leading colleges, universities, and companies, 2U delivers thousands of online programs to millions of learners worldwide on edX, its global learning platform. From executive education and professional credentialing to master’s degree programs and free, open courses, 2U transforms how top institutions deliver workforce-aligned online education, enabling professionals to advance without pausing their careers. Learn more at 2U.com.

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.