Vice President, Strategy & Operations

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:

he VP, Strategy & Operations (Office of the CPO) is a highly critical senior leadership role combining strategic planning, project/program management, and business process implementation & optimization, across a complex and fast-moving business. This role will support the CPO in daily operations, and act as a strategic advisor. They will manage strategic projects in support of corporate objectives, drive organizational business planning (both strategic and tactical), and collaborate with the CPO and other members of the executive team to define and drive the company’s strategy. This role is remote, and can be based anywhere in the United States.

Responsibilities Include, But Are Not Limited To:

Strategic Projects and Planning

The VP will help drive and facilitate the solutions to challenges or opportunities at hand, will ensure the correct individuals across the org are engaged, and that projects are appropriately prioritized and completed. They will also: 

• Partner with the CPO to build and regularly update the strategic plan and priorities and report progress to stakeholders including the senior leadership team (SLT), Board of Directors and the broader organization. 
• Help define and drive the organization’s strategic processes, ensuring strategic priorities and goals are aligned across functions, and cascaded through teams.
• Drive the execution of strategic initiatives and key projects.
• Assist in resource allocation and budgeting processes.
• Provide support and oversight for special projects and initiatives.
• Identify and help solve core problems or opportunities within the business.
• Help the CEO and other executive leaders identify and address risks and opportunities when business decisions are made.

 

Business Process Management

• Build systems and structures needed to implement strategy & vision, drive cross-functional collaboration and throughput. This includes senior leadership team meetings, strategic initiatives execution & monitoring, organizational process improvement, and organization design
• Manage and drive initiatives, projects or outstanding items that may result from leadership team meetings or events
• Partner with the CPO and other members of the product leadership team to ensure proper reporting and operational dashboards are in place to track and measure progress for the CPO, CEO, and other key stakeholders. 
• Partner with the CPO and other members of finance & product leadership to manage budget, track & optimize OpEx & CapEx spend, identify potential areas of duplication & efficiency, manage headcount planning & tracking
• Work with the CPO and CPO’s executive assistant to plan quarterly all hands meetings, facilitate team offsites, and help manage organization events. 

Executive Communications

• In partnership with the communications team, the VP will support the development of communications and presentations on behalf of the CPO and will ensure the priorities of the company and organization are communicated to the appropriate stakeholders including, but not limited to, the executive team, the Senior Leadership Team, and the entire company.  
• Help the CPO proactively manage inbound and outbound correspondence, with an emphasis on identifying potential business growth opportunities

Things That Should Be In Your Background:

• A bachelor's degree (preferably) in Business, MBA highly preferred
• A minimum of of 10 years’ professional work experience, with at least 3 years in a leadership position
• Excellent verbal, written, analytical, organizational and motivational skills
• Experience in project management, communications, and change management
• Experience in development of executive-level briefing, presentations and analysis
• Ability to handle multiple responsibilities and tasks concurrently in a fluid environment

Other Attributes That Will Help You In This Role:

• Strong work ethic with a “can do” positive attitude
• Strong “EQ” and intuition 
• Highly proactive
• Solid organizational skills with a laser-focused eye for detail
• Impeccable written