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