- **Job Title:** Senior Manager, Content Strategy
- **Company:** 2U
- **Location:** Cape Town, South Africa
- **Job Type:** Hybrid (2 days on-site in Lanham, MD)
- **Category:** Education Administration
- **Date Posted:** April 25, 2025
- **Experience Level:** 5-10 years
- **Remote Status:** Hybrid (remote with on-site requirements)
**🚀 Job Overview**
Key aspects of this role include:
- Leading the content strategy team and driving high-quality digital education content.
- Collaborating with various stakeholders to enhance educational offerings.
- Working with a global team and contributing to a diverse and inclusive work environment.
**ASSUMPTION:** This role requires a strategic mindset, strong leadership skills, and a deep understanding of digital education content.
**📋 Key Responsibilities**
✅ Lead the content strategy team in delivering world-class digital education content.
✅ Collaborate with stakeholders, including universities and industry experts, to enhance educational offerings.
✅ Develop and implement content strategies that align with 2U's mission and goals.
✅ Monitor and analyze content performance to inform strategy and improvements.
✅ Manage team projects, resources, and priorities to ensure timely delivery.
**ASSUMPTION:** This role involves a mix of strategic planning, team management, and cross-functional collaboration.
**🎯 Required Qualifications**
- **Education:** Bachelor's degree in a relevant field (e.g., Education, Communications, or a related discipline). Master's degree preferred.
- **Experience:** 5-10 years of experience in content strategy, digital education, or a related field. Proven experience in leading teams and driving content initiatives.
- **Required Skills:**
- Proven leadership and team management skills.
- Strong strategic thinking and planning abilities.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
- Proficiency in project management tools and content management systems.
- Experience with data analysis and performance metrics.
- **Preferred Skills:**
- Familiarity with online learning platforms and educational technologies.
- Experience working with universities or educational institutions.
- Knowledge of the higher education landscape and trends.
**ASSUMPTION:** Candidates with a strong educational background, relevant experience, and a passion for education are encouraged to apply.
**💰 Compensation & Benefits**
- **Salary Range:** The anticipated base salary range for this role is $120,000 - $160,000, with potential bonus and equity eligibility. Salary offers are made based on the candidate’s qualifications, experience, skills, and education as they directly relate to the requirements of the position, budget for the position, and cost of labor in the market in which the candidate will be hired.
- **Benefits:**
- Medical, dental, and vision coverage
- Life insurance, disability, and 401(k) employer match
- Employee stock purchase plan
- Free snacks and drinks in-office
- Generous paid holidays and leave policies, including unlimited PTO
- Additional time off benefits: volunteer days, parental leave, and company-wide winter break
- **Working Hours:** Full-time, 40 hours per week. Flexible hours and remote work options available.
**ASSUMPTION:** The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for similar roles and experience levels. Final offers may vary based on the candidate's qualifications and the company's budget.
**📌 Applicant Insights**
**🔍 Company Context**
- **Industry:** Education Administration Programs
- **Company Size:** 1,001-5,000 employees
- **Founded:** 2008
- **Company Description:** The company behind edX, connecting over 91 million learners to world-class, free-to-degree online education in partnership with top universities and industry experts.
- **Company Specialties:** Higher education, online education, and education technology
**📊 Role Analysis**
- **Career Level:** Senior Manager
- **Reporting Structure:** This role reports directly to the Vice President of Content Strategy.
- **Work Arrangement:** Hybrid (remote with 2 days on-site in Lanham, MD)
- **Growth Opportunities:** This role offers opportunities to grow within the content strategy team and across 2U's global organization.
**ASSUMPTION:** This role is ideal for experienced content strategists looking to lead a team and make a significant impact on digital education content.
**🌍 Location & Work Environment**
- **Office Type:** Hybrid (remote with on-site requirements)
- **Office Location(s):** Cape Town, South Africa (with on-site requirements in Lanham, MD)
- **Geographic Context:** Cape Town is a vibrant city known for its natural beauty, diverse culture, and growing tech industry. The office is located in the Salt River area, offering easy access to public transportation and nearby amenities.
- **Work Schedule:** Flexible hours with a focus on results and productivity.
**ASSUMPTION:** This role may require occasional travel to the Lanham, MD office and other locations as needed.
**💼 Interview & Application Insights**
- **Typical Process:** Phone screen → Technical assessment → Virtual interview with hiring manager → Final interview with VP → Offer
- **Key Assessment Areas:** Leadership skills, strategic thinking, content strategy knowledge, and cultural fit
- **Application Tips:**
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills.
- Prepare examples of your content strategy work and be ready to discuss your approach to leading teams and driving content initiatives.
- Research 2U and edX to demonstrate your understanding of the company's mission and values.
**ASSUMPTION:** The interview process may vary based on the hiring manager's preferences and the company's needs.
**🛠️ Tools & Technologies**
- Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello, or Jira)
- Content management systems (e.g., WordPress, Drupal, or Adobe Experience Manager)
- Data analysis tools (e.g., Google Analytics, Tableau, or Power BI)
- Familiarity with online learning platforms and educational technologies (e.g., edX, Canvas, or Blackboard)
**ASSUMPTION:** Candidates should be comfortable using project management tools, content management systems, and data analysis tools to effectively manage team projects and content initiatives.
**👔 Cultural Fit Considerations**
- **Company Values:** 2U's core values include being student-focused, data-driven, innovative, inclusive, and collaborative.
- **Work Style:** 2U values a flexible, results-driven work environment that supports work-life balance. The company encourages employees to take initiative, collaborate, and continuously learn and grow.
- **Self-Assessment Questions:**
- How do you embody 2U's core values in your work?
- How do you approach leading teams and driving content initiatives in a collaborative, inclusive environment?
- How do you balance the need for strategic planning with the ability to adapt and pivot as needed?
**ASSUMPTION:** Candidates who align with 2U's core values and work style will be a strong fit for this role and the company's culture.
**⚠️ Potential Challenges**
- Balancing the needs of various stakeholders, including universities, industry experts, and internal teams.
- Managing a remote team with members across different time zones and locations.
- Keeping up with the fast-paced and ever-evolving digital education landscape.
**ASSUMPTION:** Candidates should be comfortable navigating complex stakeholder relationships, managing remote teams, and adapting to change in a dynamic work environment.
**📈 Similar Roles Comparison**
- **Content Strategy Manager (edX):** This role focuses on driving content strategy for edX's free online courses and programs. It may involve less team management and more direct content creation and curation.
- **Content Strategy Director (Coursera):** This role is responsible for developing and executing content strategies for Coursera's online learning platform. It may involve more focus on marketing and user acquisition strategies.
- **Senior Content Strategist (LinkedIn Learning):** This role involves creating and curating content for LinkedIn Learning's professional development platform. It may require more focus on business and career development topics.
**ASSUMPTION:** This role at 2U offers a unique blend of team management, strategic planning, and content creation responsibilities within the digital education space.
**📝 Sample Projects**
- Developing a content strategy for a new online degree program in partnership with a top-tier university.
- Leading a team to create and curate content for a series of free online courses on a specific topic (e.g., data science, digital marketing, or leadership).
- Analyzing content performance data to inform strategy and identify opportunities for improvement.
**ASSUMPTION:** These sample projects illustrate the strategic, team management, and data-driven aspects of this role.
**❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview**
- How does this role contribute to 2U's mission to eliminate the back row in education?
- What are the biggest challenges facing the content strategy team currently, and how can this role address them?
- How does 2U support the professional growth and development of its employees?
- What are the key priorities for this role in the first 30, 60, and 90 days?
- How does 2U foster a diverse and inclusive work environment, and what role does this position play in that effort?
**ASSUMPTION:** These questions help candidates better understand the role's impact, priorities, and fit within the company's culture and mission.
**📌 Next Steps for Applicants**
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through [this link](https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/2ualumni/jobs/7770835002).
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills.
- Prepare examples of your content strategy work and be ready to discuss your approach to leading teams and driving content initiatives.
- Review 2U's company website and familiarize yourself with their mission, values, and offerings.
- Follow up with the hiring manager after your interview to express your interest in the role and reiterate your qualifications.
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
