Senior Director, Business and Legal Affairs

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:

2U is looking for an entrepreneurial Senior Director, Alternative Credentials (Alt Cred) Business and Legal Affairs (BALA) to work hand in hand with business units across 2U’s Alternative Credentials segment, with a primary focus on supporting the open course (OC) division. You will provide expert legal counsel and business savvy decision making assistance to the OC team. Functioning as the primary lawyer and a strategic business counselor to the OC division, you will provide strategic guidance, legal oversight, and product counseling. A primary responsibility of this role will be managing partner contract negotiations, as well as advising the business on contractual and legal/compliance requirements.  The Senior Director, Alt Cred BALA will be a strategic thinker with substantial commercial transactions experience and a hunger to learn about the online higher education industry. 

Responsibilities Include, But Are Not Limited To:

• Serve as the primary attorney for the OC division, providing day-to-day, front-line business and legal advice on a range of issues, including product counseling, marketing compliance, and platform operations;
• With over 200 existing members, provide support for drafting and negotiating new master services agreements (and supporting documents) with current and prospective university and corporate partners; Advise OC leadership on proposed OC partnerships and recommend creative and
• practical legal solutions to meet business objectives;
• Keep abreast of applicable laws, regulations, and industry guidance that impacts 2U’s business, and counsel OC teams to ensure compliance with applicable laws;
• Provide support to the broader BALA team (including other products/divisions) and the broader 2U legal, privacy, and compliance team as needed;
• Craft and templatize terms relating to new product initiatives and program types, working in partnership with our product and partner management teams to translate business desires into sound legal documents;
• Collaborate with other members of 2U’s BALA team to develop unified egal positions and synergistic agreements;
• Manage OC partner contracts to ensure timely business information reporting;  
• Recognize and communicate themes and opportunities from interactions with stakeholders to identify opportunities for business and process improvements to resolve challenges.
• Serve as BALA’s representative to leadership meetings, as needed;
• Provide strategic business advice to drive the business forward;
• Build relationships with the broader business to share knowledge and best practices; and
• Other tasks and work as assigned.

Things That Should Be In Your Background:

• At least 8 years post qualifications experience as an admitted and licensed attorney in South Africa with a primary focus on high stakes and large value SaaS commercial transactions
• Strong negotiation skills
• LLB (Bachelor of Laws)
• Attention to detail + Excellent communication skills + Ability to work independently  under frequent and irregular deadlines

Other Attributes That Will Help You In This Role:

• Big Five experience (very helpful)
• Knowledge of international privacy laws and/or higher education industry (helpful)
• Experience with international operations (helpful)
• Legal tech knowledge/experience (helpful)

Benefits & Culture

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

2U Diversity and Inclusion Statement

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: recruitingaccommodations@2u.com. 

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.