Senior Director, Partner Marketing
2U
Date: 3 weeks ago
City: Cape Town, Western Cape
Contract type: Full time
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 Senior Director, Partner Marketing – Alt Cred, is a strategic business leader responsible for the growth, performance, and engagement of a high-value portfolio of alternative credential (Alt Cred) programmes, including Executive Education and Open Course. This is a high-impact role at the intersection of marketing performance, partner success, and revenue acceleration—serving as a growth architect and executive-level partner, designing and executing marketing-led strategies that drive learner engagement, programme differentiation, and scalable business impact.
Based in Cape Town, this individual leads a small team focused on full-funnel marketing performance, prioritized partner engagement, and the successful orchestration of initiatives that support business goals. The Senior Director will manage top-tier partner relationships directly while guiding a small team overseeing other programme portfolios. The role requires strong executive presence, fluency in performance data, and a passion for enabling growth through strategic marketing excellence.
Responsibilities Include, But Are Not Limited To:
Portfolio and Partner Growth Strategy
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:
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 Inc. (NASDAQ: TWOU)
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.
What We’re Looking For:
The Senior Director, Partner Marketing – Alt Cred, is a strategic business leader responsible for the growth, performance, and engagement of a high-value portfolio of alternative credential (Alt Cred) programmes, including Executive Education and Open Course. This is a high-impact role at the intersection of marketing performance, partner success, and revenue acceleration—serving as a growth architect and executive-level partner, designing and executing marketing-led strategies that drive learner engagement, programme differentiation, and scalable business impact.
Based in Cape Town, this individual leads a small team focused on full-funnel marketing performance, prioritized partner engagement, and the successful orchestration of initiatives that support business goals. The Senior Director will manage top-tier partner relationships directly while guiding a small team overseeing other programme portfolios. The role requires strong executive presence, fluency in performance data, and a passion for enabling growth through strategic marketing excellence.
Responsibilities Include, But Are Not Limited To:
Portfolio and Partner Growth Strategy
- Own and lead partner marketing for a portfolio of Alt Cred partner portfolios, including direct ownership of key top-tier partner marketing relationships.
- Serve as a strategic advisor to partners—translating programme goals into measurable growth roadmaps and identifying marketing levers that drive performance across the funnel.
- Use rigorous performance analysis, market intelligence, and forecasting to uncover trends, optimize programme performance, and inform data-backed decisions across both self-managed and team-managed portfolios.
- Collaborate cross-functionally with product, marketing, and operations stakeholders to improve alignment, reinforce value propositions, and accelerate marketing enhancement and go-to-market strategies.
- Champion experimentation and learning agendas that expand brand visibility, drive organic demand, and increase efficiency across paid and owned media.
- Lead and mentor a small Cape Town-based team managing Alt Cred programme portfolios; foster a culture of accountability, impact, and proactive strategic thinking.
- Develop training, toolkits, and frameworks that elevate team delivery, insight synthesis, and partner engagement effectiveness.
- Oversee team engagement and performance to ensure all partner marketing work is aligned to business priorities and delivering measurable results.
- Model effective stakeholder influence and executive partnership for your team, serving as a visible escalation point and thought leader on high-stakes initiatives.
- Operate as a key influencer across internal stakeholders—particularly product, marketing, and operations—driving alignment through insight-driven storytelling, clear prioritization, and a deep understanding of programme performance drivers.
- Build and maintain trusted relationships with senior-level partner stakeholders, delivering strategic recommendations and leading high-impact performance reviews.
- Represent marketing as a key growth driver in strategic cross-functional discussions and decisions, advocating for funnel improvements and reinforcing marketing’s role as a growth engine for Alt Cred.
- Act as the voice of the partner internally, surfacing feedback, highlighting evolving needs, and influencing innovation in product, experience, and marketing strategies.
- Focus on full-funnel marketing performance across the Alt Cred portfolio, tracking KPIs and conversion metrics to proactively identify risks and opportunities.
- Align reporting, messaging, and cadences with programme and business goals; ensure partners and internal teams are focused on high-impact initiatives.
- Partner with analytics and marketing operations to continuously improve visibility into performance trends, impact measurement, and opportunity prioritization.
- Lead responsive action planning with partners and internal teams when performance gaps, funnel friction, or misalignment arise—proactively driving toward resolution and improvement.
- 10+ years in partner marketing, strategic account management, digital marketing strategy, or client services; edtech, agency, or fast-paced growth environments preferred.
- Demonstrated experience managing both high-profile partner relationships and cross-functional team collaboration.
- Expertise in marketing funnels, paid/organic performance strategy, and driving measurable impact through strategic planning and execution.
- Strong people leadership experience, including coaching, developing, and scaling high-performing teams.
- Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s or MBA preferred.
- Executive presence and strong interpersonal communication skills across internal and external stakeholders.
- Demonstrated ability to influence without authority and drive action in matrixed environments.
- Highly skilled in strategy development, data interpretation, and business storytelling.
- Comfortable operating in a fast-paced, evolving environment with multiple competing priorities.
- Passion for education and impact, and a learner-centric approach to strategy development.
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
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 Inc. (NASDAQ: TWOU)
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.
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