Senior Copywriter

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:

We’re looking for a senior-level copywriter to join our growing in-house creative team. This position requires at least five years of experience writing marketing copy, including for SEO-driven webpages, data-driven advertising, and strategic email campaigns.

The copywriter is expected to represent the creative team with marketing stakeholders as well as assist with mentoring and training new hires.

Responsibilities Include, But Are Not Limited To:

1. Write copy across media, including display and print advertising, direct mail/direct response, email marketing, print collateral, websites, etc.
2. Create original, persuasive copy that promotes and differentiates 2U’s partner programs’ unique benefits.
3. Manage new program launches and the creation of brand style guides without oversight.
4. Understand and work from creative briefs submitted by stakeholders; meet the goals of the project as established in the brief while offering creative solutions.
5. Establish and maintain the voice, tone, and brand identity for multiple 2U partner programs.
6. Manage multiple project deadlines and adapt to changing priorities.
7. Proofread and edit marketing materials for clarity, style consistency, spelling, and grammar.
8. Translate complex concepts into clear, concise and reader-friendly copy.
9. Seek out and manage creative projects that strengthen our brands.

Establish and maintain relationships with marketing stakeholders across brand marketing, SEO, web analytics, and advertising operations teams.

1. Manage and maintain all copy assets for multiple programs and act as direct point-of-contact for those programs.
2. Present work to stakeholders and offer clear, strategic rationales that support creative.
3. Approach projects collaboratively, working with stakeholders across marketing, while upholding the team’s mission and values.

Act as a leader and mentor in the creative team, offering support to team leadership.

1. Work closely with junior writers, help them understand marketing strategy, and review their work.
2. Establish new processes and efficiencies across the creative team.
3. Work with marketing stakeholders to understand and communicate best practices across a range of data-driven marketing formats as well as performance data.
4. Work closely and independently with other members of the creative team, including writers, designers, videographers, animators, and team leadership.
5. Communicate concerns, challenges, ideas, and solutions with manager and/or team leadership.
6. Conduct interviews with copywriter candidates, and assist with training of new team members.

Things That Should Be In Your Background:

• Bachelor's degree required
• Minimum 5-7 years of experience
• Must have knowledge of AP and Chicago style and experience using client style guides
• Experience in higher education is preferred
• Solid interpersonal communication skills and the ability to work on cross-functional teams
• Ability to think of creative, unorthodox solutions when needed
• Ability to prioritize and handle multiple assignments simultaneously
• Openness to feedback and ability to take direction
• Ability to drive projects without a lot of oversight

Working Conditions

This role typically works 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM with breaks throughout the day. Occasional and rare travel may be needed.

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.