📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Senior Director, Lifecycle Marketing
🔹 Company: Coursera
🔹 Location: United States
🔹 Job Type: Full-Time
🔹 Category: Marketing
🔹 Date Posted: June 20, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 10+ years
🔹 Remote Status: Remote OK
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Developing and executing a comprehensive consumer lifecycle strategy to enhance learner engagement and retention
- Serving as the primary business owner for retention and engagement metrics
- Overseeing Coursera-owned outbound channels and on-site channels for a seamless, branded, and personalized experience
- Collaborating with cross-functional teams to create targeted, segment-specific campaigns and personalized communications
- Leading and mentoring a high-performing team of lifecycle marketers
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strategic mindset, strong analytical skills, and the ability to work effectively with various teams to drive learner engagement and retention.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Developing and executing a comprehensive consumer lifecycle strategy to enhance learner engagement and retention, with measurable improvements in key performance metrics throughout the journey
✅ Serving as the primary business owner for retention and engagement metrics, continuously tracking and refining strategies based on data-driven insights
✅ Overseeing Coursera-owned outbound channels (mobile, email, CRM) and on-site channels to ensure a seamless, branded, and personalized experience at every interaction
✅ Collaborating with cross-functional teams to create targeted, segment-specific campaigns and personalized communications that drive engagement and long-term value
✅ Implementing performance measurement frameworks and dashboards to track key lifecycle and retention metrics, using insights for ongoing campaign optimization
✅ Leading and mentoring a high-performing team of lifecycle marketers, fostering a culture of experimentation, and managing budgets efficiently to maximize ROI on lifecycle marketing programs
ASSUMPTION: This role involves a high degree of collaboration, data analysis, and strategic planning to optimize learner engagement and retention.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Business, Communications, or a related field
Experience: 10+ years of progressive marketing experience, with a strong focus on consumer lifecycle management, retention strategy, and digital channel optimization
Required Skills:
- Proven track record in driving learner/customer retention and engagement through multi-channel marketing campaigns, with accountability for key metrics
- Expertise in leveraging data analytics, CRM systems, email marketing, and marketing automation tools to develop personalized and impactful marketing campaigns
- Strong strategic thinking, problem-solving, and analytical skills, with the ability to translate data insights into actionable strategies
- Exceptional communication, leadership, and collaboration skills, with experience managing high-performing teams in fast-paced, global organizations
Preferred Skills:
- Master’s Degree preferred. Experience in edtech or technology industries is a plus
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills; comfortable leveraging data to drive decisions and turning marketing campaign results into actionable learnings
- Initiative to drive projects forward, collaborate across multiple teams, and proactively ask questions to get information and resources
- Demonstrated experience in delivering growth through one or more key marketing channels (e.g., Email, Onsite, Push Notification.)
- Passion for online education and understanding of the higher education landscape
- Strong written communication skills and exceptional attention to detail
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should have a strong background in lifecycle marketing, data analysis, and team management to excel in this role.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $148,800 - 213,000 USD (based on location and experience level)
Benefits:
- Bonus Program
- Equity in the form of RSUs
Working Hours: 40 hours per week
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on the role and experience level. Actual compensation may vary based on location and other factors.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Coursera is a leading online learning platform, partnering with universities and industry leaders to offer courses, Specializations, Professional Certificates, and degrees to learners worldwide.
Company Size: Coursera has 1,001-5,000 employees, providing ample opportunities for collaboration and growth.
Founded: Coursera was founded in 2012 by Andrew Ng and Daphne Koller with a mission to provide universal access to world-class learning.
Company Description:
- Coursera partners with over 300 leading university and industry partners to offer a broad catalog of content and credentials
- The platform has 124 million registered learners as of March 31, 2023, demonstrating its global impact and reach
- Coursera became a Delaware public benefit corporation and a B Corp in February 2021, reflecting its commitment to social responsibility
Company Specialties:
- Education
- Technology
- Internet
Company Website: https://www.coursera.org/
ASSUMPTION: Coursera's large learner base and extensive partner network provide ample opportunities for growth and innovation in this role.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: This role is at the senior director level, requiring strategic decision-making and leadership skills.
Reporting Structure: The Senior Director, Lifecycle Marketing will report directly to the Vice President of Growth Marketing and oversee a team of lifecycle marketers.
Work Arrangement: This role is remote-friendly, allowing for flexible work arrangements and a global talent pool.
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential to expand the team and take on additional responsibilities as the company grows
- Opportunities to collaborate with various teams, such as Product, Content, and Engineering, to drive strategic initiatives
- Possibility to transition into a more senior role, such as Vice President or Chief Marketing Officer, as the company continues to scale
ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth potential, both in terms of team expansion and career progression within the organization.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Coursera has multiple offices worldwide, with a strong focus on remote work and flexibility.
Office Location(s): Mountain View, CA; New York, NY; Gurgaon, IN; London, UK
Geographic Context:
- Coursera's global presence allows for a diverse learner base and international collaboration opportunities
- The company's headquarters in Mountain View, CA, places it in the heart of Silicon Valley, providing access to a vibrant tech ecosystem
- Coursera's offices in New York, Gurgaon, and London offer additional hubs for regional collaboration and growth
Work Schedule: Coursera enables employees to select their main way of working, whether it's from home, one of their offices, or a co-working space near you.
ASSUMPTION: Coursera's global offices and flexible work arrangements provide ample opportunities for collaboration and growth, regardless of location.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application submission
- Phone or video screen with the hiring manager
- On-site or virtual interview with the team
- Final round with senior leadership
Key Assessment Areas:
- Strategic thinking and problem-solving skills
- Data analysis and interpretation abilities
- Leadership and team management capabilities
- Communication and collaboration skills
- Cultural fit and alignment with Coursera's mission and values
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your lifecycle marketing, data analysis, and team management experience
- Prepare for behavioral and situational interview questions that assess your strategic thinking, problem-solving, and leadership skills
- Research Coursera's mission, values, and learner base to demonstrate your passion for online education and alignment with the company's goals
ATS Keywords: Lifecycle Marketing, Consumer Engagement, Retention Strategy, Data Analytics, CRM Systems, Email Marketing, Marketing Automation, Strategic Thinking, Problem Solving, Leadership, Collaboration, Team Management, Campaign Optimization, Consumer Lifecycle, Learner Engagement, Digital Marketing
ASSUMPTION: Demonstrating your strategic mindset, data analysis skills, and leadership capabilities will be crucial for success in this role and the interview process.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot)
- Email marketing platforms (e.g., Mailchimp, SendGrid)
- Marketing automation tools (e.g., Marketo, Pardot)
- Data analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics, Tableau)
- Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Jira)
ASSUMPTION: Familiarity with these tools and technologies will be essential for success in this role, as they are commonly used in lifecycle marketing and data analysis.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Mission-driven: Coursera is committed to providing universal access to world-class learning and transforming lives through education
- Inclusive: Coursera values diversity, equity, and inclusion, fostering a culture where everyone can thrive
- Bold: Coursera encourages innovation, calculated risk-taking, and continuous learning
Work Style:
- Collaborative: Coursera emphasizes teamwork, cross-functional collaboration, and open communication
- Data-driven: Coursera relies on data to inform decision-making, strategy, and continuous improvement
- Flexible: Coursera offers flexible work arrangements, enabling employees to balance work and personal responsibilities
Self-Assessment Questions:
- Do you share Coursera's mission to provide universal access to world-class learning?
- Are you comfortable working in a fast-paced, data-driven environment and making data-informed decisions?
- Do you thrive in a collaborative, flexible work environment that values open communication and continuous learning?
ASSUMPTION: Assessing your alignment with Coursera's values and work style will be essential for a successful fit in this role.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing a high-performing team remotely, requiring strong leadership and communication skills
- Balancing strategic planning with day-to-day campaign execution and optimization
- Adapting to a fast-paced, dynamic work environment with shifting priorities and tight deadlines
- Navigating a global organization with multiple time zones and diverse teams
ASSUMPTION: These challenges require strong leadership, communication, and adaptability skills to succeed in this role.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- Unlike traditional marketing roles, this position focuses specifically on the consumer lifecycle, requiring a deep understanding of learner behavior and engagement
- Coursera's global presence and extensive learner base offer unique opportunities for growth and impact not found in smaller organizations
- This role provides a clear path for career progression, from senior director to vice president or chief marketing officer, as the company continues to scale
ASSUMPTION: Understanding the unique aspects of this role and Coursera's growth trajectory will be crucial for assessing its fit with your career goals.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and executing a targeted email campaign to re-engage inactive learners and boost course completion rates
- Collaborating with the product team to optimize the on-site learner experience and enhance retention through personalized content recommendations
- Analyzing learner data to identify trends and insights, informing strategic decisions and driving long-term growth
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects illustrate the strategic, data-driven, and collaborative nature of this role, requiring a strong understanding of learner behavior and engagement.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- How does the team currently approach learner segmentation and personalization in lifecycle marketing campaigns?
- Can you describe the team structure and dynamics, and how this role fits within the organization?
- How does Coursera support work-life balance and employee well-being, particularly for remote team members?
- What opportunities are there for professional development and growth within the team and the broader organization?
- How does Coursera measure the success of lifecycle marketing campaigns, and what key performance indicators (KPIs) are most critical?
ASSUMPTION: Asking these questions will help you better understand the role, team dynamics, and Coursera's commitment to employee growth and success.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through Coursera's careers page
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your lifecycle marketing, data analysis, and team management experience
- Prepare for behavioral and situational interview questions that assess your strategic thinking, problem-solving, and leadership skills
- Research Coursera's mission, values, and learner base to demonstrate your passion for online education and alignment with the company's goals
- Follow up with the hiring manager one week after your interview to express your continued interest in the role
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
