Sr. Manager Partner Referral

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:

The Sr Manager of Partner Referral is a strategic leader responsible for managing a high-impact marketing channel that supports hundreds of partners and domain strategies, driving over $40M+ in annual revenue across all our products and web assets. This role owns the full partner referral channel, delivering on revenue targets through innovative strategies, strong relationship management, and performance optimization.

Partner referral is a critical business channel where our network of partners generates traffic and leads to our shared products via their web assets. The Sr Manager will collaborate closely with partners to maximize their contribution to the business while ensuring alignment with broader organizational goals. This role requires strategic vision, tactical execution, and the ability to communicate performance and recommendations effectively to both partners and internal stakeholders.

The Sr Manager will also influence channel resourcing and budgeting while leading a small team responsible for the day-to-day execution and performance monitoring of the program. This is an opportunity to shape a growing channel with a direct impact on business success.

Responsibilities Include, But Are Not Limited To:

• Set and Execute the Strategic Vision for the Partner Referral Channel: 
  • Set and communicate a long-term vision for the partner referral program in alignment with organizational goals.
  • Oversee a roadmap for achieving channel growth, optimizing visibility, traffic, and lead generation through partner sites.
  • Drive accountability for delivering on channel revenue targets, ensuring sustained performance and growth.
• Relationship Management and Partner Enablement:
  • Manage relationships with a diverse network of partners, building trust and alignment on shared objectives.
  • Act as a strategic advisor to partners, offering actionable recommendations to optimize their websites and content for mutual success.
  • Work closely with key partners whose contributions are foundational to the business, ensuring their sustained engagement and success.
• Strategic Oversight of Channel Performance and Reporting:
  • Monitor, analyze, and report on channel performance, including traffic, lead generation, and revenue against targets.
  • Provide clear performance insights and recommendations to partners and internal stakeholders, driving transparency and informed decision-making.
  • Use data-driven insights to continuously refine strategies and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Design and Execute Scalable Channel Strategies and Tactics:
  • Develop and implement co-marketing strategies, content optimization plans, and performance improvement initiatives.
  • Leverage innovative solutions to drive incremental growth across hundreds of partner web assets.
• Lead and Influence Resources to Achieve Channel Goals:
  • Manage and mentor a small team focused on channel operations, analytics, and partner engagement.
  • Influence resource allocation and budget planning to meet the strategic needs of the channel.
  • Collaborate across internal teams to secure support and alignment on channel initiatives.

Things That Should Be In Your Background:

• Bachelor’s degree in marketing, business, or a related field.
• 8+ years of experience in partnership marketing, digital marketing, or channel management (5+ years with demonstrated leadership experience).
• Demonstrated success in managing a large-scale channel or partner program, with direct accountability for delivering on revenue targets.
• Proven ability to build and manage strong, collaborative relationships with external partners and internal stakeholders.
• Strong data analysis and reporting skills, with experience using Google Analytics and other performance measurement tools.
• Exceptional strategic thinking and execution capabilities, with a focus on delivering measurable business results.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
• Experience influencing resource allocation and managing budgets to achieve strategic objectives.
• Familiarity with affiliate market