Academic Insights Specialist (Fixed Term Contract)

Academic Insights Specialist (Fixed Term Contract)

Note: By applying to this position your application is automatically submitted to the following locations: Cape Town, ZA

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:

As the Academic Insights Specialist, you will have two main responsibilities. Firstly, you will focus on establishing and nurturing strong relationships with incoming instructional staff to ensure a positive and impactful start to their teaching journey, laying the groundwork for their overall success. Secondly, you will contribute to the continuous improvement of our evaluation process, ensuring fairness, accuracy, and ongoing enhancements.

You will be responsible for managing communication and engagement with potential instructional staff, including Instructors and Teaching Assistants. Your role will involve tracking their progress as they prepare to join us in teaching students at prestigious universities, both domestically and internationally. You will collaborate closely with the Instructional Recruitment team to guide and support candidates throughout the entire process. Starting from the moment they pass a technical interview, you will assess their pedagogical skills, identify areas for growth, and facilitate their development through tailored learning pathways. Your role as gatekeeper ensures that only the best talent is presented to our students.

Additionally, you will provide ongoing insights and support to classroom staff and instructional support staff to ensure their effectiveness and continuous improvement.

The ideal candidate will thrive in evaluating candidates, learning new program content and processes, and analyzing best practices. They possess the ability to anticipate challenges, excel in crafting inspiring and compelling written messages, and demonstrate empathy and care towards our instructional candidates.

Responsibilities Include, But Are Not Limited To:

• Systems and Operational Leadership
• Soliciting input and feedback on Pedagogical Evaluation Materials
• Supporting Team Managers in creating and providing training content for the insights team
• Collaborating with greater Academic Analysis and Instructional Delivery team as needed
• Data Collection and Analysis
• Input and feedback on Pedagogical data collection methods and content
• Supporting team Data Collection practices
• Conduct Line Item Analysis on a quarterly basis according to assigned pods
• Teach Back and Finals Execution
• Research best practices for Evaluation of Instructors/TAs both in person and online
• Input and Feedback for any and all program specific Evaluation materials
• Participating in training sessions and upskilling
• Revision of Evaluation materials as needed
• Stay up to date on Curriculum topics as applicable to your assigned pod
• Team and Organizational Expectations
• Knowledge and compliance to all Trilogy/2U/edX policies
• Participation in all meeting structures and staff expectations
• Setting expectations for the continuation of Instructional Learning and Development.
• Projects as assigned based on team needs

Things That Should Be In Your Background:

• At least 1 year of customer support experience
• At least 6 months of coding experience
• Required Skills:
  A self-starter who can quickly understand/develop new processes
  A technically savvy person who has a knack for mastering systems and workflows
  A strong communicator who values transparency and effective documentation
  A planner capable of attention to detail as well as big picture goals/needs
• Additional preferred skills
  Experience in an educational environment

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: [email protected] .

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.

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.