Senior Manager, Merchandising & Web Operations

At 2U, we are all in on purpose. We are motivated by our mission – to make learning limitless– and connected by our shared passion to deliver world-class higher education at scale. As the parent company of edX, a leading online learning platform, 2U powers thousands of higher education offerings – from free courses to full degrees. Together with our college, university, and corporate partners, we are helping accelerate careers and transform lives.

What We’re Looking For:

The Senior Manager, Merchandising & Web Operations is the strategic architect and business owner of the edX storefront. This role is responsible for performance of the edX marketplace, ensuring excellence in day-to-day operations while also chartering and executing a long-term strategy for how the catalog is presented, discovered, and consumed. You are accountable for optimizing the digital shelf to maximize conversion.

In this role you will: drive strategic marketing priorities across key web pages, including the homepage; directly or crossfunctionally manage individuals responsible for day-to-day operations of those pages; drive catalog prioritization; and own, drive and execute on promotional strategies.

Responsibilities Include, But Are Not Limited To:

• Digital Merchandising Strategy: You are accountable for setting and driving merchandising across edX, including visual and topical curation of the edX homepage, category pages, and search results. You will use data to determine which products to feature to maximize revenue and learner relevance.

• Web Operations Leadership: You will manage the day-to-day "run" of the site, including direct or cross-functional management of the web operations team. You are accountable for ensuring product listings are accurate, links are functional, and the site remains high-performing during high-traffic promotional periods.

• Promotion & Campaign Execution: Drive, own and execute global promotional events (e.g., Black Friday, New Year, and seasonal campaigns). Responsible for bottom line performance of discounts and promotional campaigns, directly driving revenue for the business. Partner with key cross-functional teams to ensure operational excellence on campaigns.

• Search & Discovery Optimization: Collaborate with Product and Engineering to drive strategic personalization for the internal search experience and user-facing recommendation engines. Work alongside key stakeholders to ensure learners can find the right course or degree with minimal friction.

• Catalog Management: Oversee the operational workflow for launching and sunsetting partner branded content. Ensure all metadata, pricing, and visual assets meet edX’s premium brand standards.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Conversion (ER and VTR): Increase the percentage of site visitors who enroll in a course or purchase a certificate.

• Revenue Per Session: Maximize the monetary value generated from each site visit through optimal product placement.

• Site Performance & Uptime: Ensure accuracy of promotional assets and site functionality during peak marketing windows.

• Average Order Value (AOV): Drive growth in AOV through effective bundling, cross-selling, and upselling strategies.

Things That Should Be In Your Background:

• 10+ years in E-commerce Merchandising, Web Operations, or Digital Product Management. Must have a proven track record of leading and managing a high-SKU marketplace with more than $30M in annual revenue.

• Demonstrated ability to craft strategies that drive results against high-level business goals.

• Expert-level knowledge of CMS architectures, GA4, and e-commerce conversion funnels. Ability to lead technical discussions with Engineering teams.

• Proven ability to establish and oversee rigorous QA protocols for high-stakes, global digital storefronts. Proven track record of operational excellence.

• Proven experience leading teams. Experience managing complex projects and mobilizing cross-functional teams.

• Possess a strong data-driven mindset. Expert in using click-stream data, heatmaps, and A/B testing results to build business cases for site changes.

• Strong collaborator with a proven ability to work across the web, marketing, product, and engineering spectrum.

While this position is open to remote candidates across the U.S., we will prioritize those who live in the Washington-Baltimore metropolitan area and who are available to come into our Headquarters in Arlington, VA two days a week.

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 millions of learners and counting with access to world-class higher education, then join us – and do work that makes a difference.

We offer comprehensive benefits (unique per country) and excellent work/life balance.
Full-time, U.S.benefits include:

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage

• Life insurance, disability, and 401(k) employer match

• Free snacks and drinks in-office

• Generous paid holidays and leave policies, including unlimited PTO

• Additional time off benefits include: volunteer days, parental leave, and a company-wide winter break

The anticipated base salary range for this role is ($114,500 - $137,300), with potential bonus 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.

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: [email protected].

About 2U

2U partners with the world's top universities and companies to develop and deliver education programs that accelerate careers and transform lives. Through partnerships with the world’s leading colleges, universities, and companies, 2U delivers thousands of online programs to millions of learners worldwide on edX, its global learning platform. From executive education and professional credentialing to master’s degree programs and free, open courses, 2U transforms how top institutions deliver workforce-aligned online education, enabling professionals to advance without pausing their careers. Learn more at 2U.com.

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.