Director, Product and Market Research

2U; Virginia (MN); Remote; USD 126,000 - 152,000; Full time

Job summary

An innovative educational technology company is looking for a Director of Product and Market Research to develop market strategies and insights. The role involves researching consumer sentiment, analyzing market trends, and collaborating with cross-functional teams. Ideal candidates have extensive experience in data-driven strategies and a deep understanding of the higher education landscape.

Benefits

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

Life insurance and disability

401(k) employer match

Generous paid holidays

Unlimited PTO

Qualifications

• 7 - 10 years of relevant work experience in product or market research.
• Ability to communicate effectively with technical and non-technical colleagues.
• Experience making data-driven decisions.

Responsibilities

• Conduct market research to identify new program opportunities.
• Generate internal insights and develop dashboards for reporting.
• Collaborate with data science for actionable recommendations.
• Support product marketing initiatives.

Skills

Data analysis

Cross-functional collaboration

Research methodology

Communication skills

Problem-solving

Strategic thinking

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree

Tools

Survey tools

Data analytics software

Job description

Overview

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 Director of Product and Market Research will be responsible for designing, researching and providing strategies to improve revenue across 2U business lines. This individual will own the market research function for the business, focusing on the research and analysis of the company\'s markets, competition, and product mix. This individual will be responsible for conducting primary and secondary research and data analysis to provide insights on customer sentiment and trends in the broader education industry. This individual will also be accountable for measuring the efficacy of marketing and financial strategies tested, building reporting mechanisms to report findings, and ensuring that high value strategies are scaled across the portfolio. This position will require significant collaboration with leadership across the organization.

Responsibilities

• Conduct Research: Quantify consumer sentiment with respect to potential opportunities for new programs (pipeline development) and opportunities to improve existing programs (portfolio management), by conducting both primary and secondary research. Monitor industry trends, macro economic environment impacts, and lead the creation of reports to help 2U be a leading voice in higher education.
• Internal Insights: Lead development of internal research processes for performance of existing programs, learner sentiment and personas of enrolled students as well as lost leads. Create executive-facing dashboards and standard reporting. Responsible for the design, execution, analysis and reporting of consumer insight projects to drive marketing and enhancement strategies.
• Cross-functional collaboration: Work closely with Business Intelligence and Data Science to take existing data and turn it into meaningful insights and recommendations for marketing, GMs, and sales. Use these data-backed recommendations to drive policy and strategy change across relevant the organization
• Ad-Hoc Support: Other needs that arise for product marketing and the larger partnership team, such as being the research representative in external conversations or being the product marketing leader on cross-team initiatives like Yield Enhancement
• Operations: Manage efforts involving other employees, outside contractors, or independent market research organizations, including budget responsibility for vendors

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience; Master’s degree a plus
• At least 7 - 10 years of relevant work experience
• A clear understanding of the higher education landscape
• 7+ years’ experience utilizing data and analytics to formulate sound program objectives, solve business problems, and drive business strategy
• Proven ability to work in cross-functional teams, communicate with colleagues in both business and technical roles, and develop trusting relationships at all levels
• Demonstrated organizational skills, and ability to work independently and autonomously
• Outstanding tendency and ability to communicate (written, verbal, presentation) with all stakeholders
• Strategic and tactical problem solver including facility with using a variety of survey tools, data and analytics
• Meticulous attention to detail
• Proven ability to influence cross-functional teams without formal authority
• Ability to thrive in an environment of constant change
• Self-starter attitude; ability to self-serve, investigate and get the information needed for the project at hand through to completion
• Ability to thrive in a complex and often ambiguous environment, to build recommendations to team members and management
• Ability to work independently with credibility in a complex and often ambiguous environment, to build rigorous, fact-bases that support recommendations to team members and management
• Self-starter attitude; ability to self-serve, investigate and get the information needed for the project at hand

Note: this position is open to remote candidates across the U.S.; preference for candidates in the Washington-Baltimore metropolitan area with ability to come into the Arlington, VA headquarters two days a week.

Benefits

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 ($126,600 - $152,000), 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

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: [e-mail].