Technical Project Manager

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 Project Manager III manages revenue generating, business critical, technically complex projects and is responsible for making strategic decisions autonomously. They partner with executive and senior leaders across the business, and work with cross functional teams to enable them to deliver on business goals, actions, and 2U targets.

The Project Manager III offers strategic guidance to technical leadership teams on projects or programmes, drives the execution of projects to ensure alignment with global business objectives, identifies critical dependencies, and manages risk. They guide and direct teams in delivering project success for local and international initiatives. They bridge the gap between senior leadership and cross functional teams, and drive leadership accountability.

They have experience managing projects according to PM best practices that include new system implementations, enhancements to existing systems and/or systems integrations, supporting the systems development lifecycle (SDLC), UAT and subsequent production rollout in accordance with effective IT controls, compliance and change management.

Responsibilities Include, But Are Not Limited To:

Project and Programme Management

• Manages the execution of multiple concurrent projects and the workstreams, systems, interdependencies and resources within each.
• Drives the long-term growth of the organization by putting in place structures, standardized processes, and workflows across cross-functional projects.
• Implements change management plans with a focus on changes to business processes, systems and technology, job roles and organization structures.
• Drives strategic alignment of 2U Global goals with project goals and ensures success metrics are defined upfront and measured post project implementation.
• Manages resource planning across projects within a programme of work to ensure on time delivery of projects.
• Manages the programme risks, ensures project stakeholders are aware of potential roadblocks, and that mitigation / contingency plans are developed and actioned.
• Manages legal and compliance policies and processes for projects, related to procurement, software development, including outsourced service providers and independent contractors.
• Technical project management:
  • Acts as a bridge between the tech team and business stakeholders to ensure work that is delivered meets the business requirements.
  • Responsible for scope management and change request processes to ensure project timelines remain on track and stakeholder expectations are managed.
  • Monitors project variables against the plan and the project performance baseline.
  • Coordinates the User Acceptance Testing (UAT) phase and ensures relevant test cases are prepped, progress is tracked and stakeholder feedback is taken into consideration and addressed where required.
  • Determines the project management approach to follow for the specific projects, within the 2U PM framework (Agile and Waterfall).
  • Drives tasks through the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) while planning for phased deployments to staging and production environments.
  • Supports team members with investigating and resolving product and services issues ensuring service desk tickets are logged during project execution.
  • Ensures all business and technical transition activities are catered for and performed, e.g. acceptance testing, training, change management and post-implementation support in accordance with IT controls.
• Project Planning:
  • Compiles Stakeholder Lists / RACI to define project team roles and responsibilities.
  • Creates and accurately maintains project plans.
  • Leads project kick-off meetings, to align the team on scope, success metrics, risks, considerations and milestones.
  • Uses data and metrics to support planning, while monitoring, driving and reporting on key metrics (with contingencies to rectify if required).
  • Responsible for identifying critical project (inter and intra) dependencies in order to avoid delays and launch on time.
• Project Execution:
  • Compiles project Risk Registers and ensures mitigation plans are in place.
  • Clearly and regularly communicates project progress and updates to internal and external project stakeholders.
  • Transfers projects that are completed efficiently to operations and conducts necessary project retrospectives in order to ensure lessons learned are documented and actioned appropriately.

People Management

• Oversees one Technical Project Manager within PMO.
• Approves leave requests and expense reports.
• Manages team member capacity across projects.
• Holds weekly 1:1 meetings to check in on progress and health status of projects.
• Supports direct reports with project escalations to senior leadership.
• Ensures direct reports are sending out project status updates on a consistent cadence.
• Ensures Project Sponsors are being managed across projects for direct reports.
• Ensures direct reports are keeping all project plans up to date.

PMO Function Support

• Proactively seeks out ways to improve the PMO function and ensures best practice PM methodologies are utilized by the team.
• Works with the Senior Director of PMO to improve processes within the PMO to drive team efficiency.

Things That Should Be In Your Background:

• 10+ years experience as a project manager for IT or software delivery projects
• Bachelor’s Degree or higher in a technology-related field or relevant ICT work experience as a Project Manager
• Excellent knowledge and handling of project and program management methodology and techniques; e.g. PMBOK(R)
• Self-motivated and able to find opportunities for improvement
• Excellent communication and documentation skills
• Comfortable working in a constantly changing atmosphere and prioritizing work appropriately
• Proactive attitude
• Organized and methodical work process
• Strong attention to detail

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.

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.