Sr. Director, Total Rewards & HR Technology

Job Description

Job Description

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:

We are looking for a Sr. Director, Total Rewards and HR Technology to drive the execution and modernization of the foundational operational pillars of our People organization. This role is designed for a forward-thinking HR leader who embraces AI and has a keen eye for efficiency, scalability, and operational excellence. As a key contributor to executive leadership, you will balance strategic implementation with a hands-on approach, leading critical compensation, benefits, and HR technology initiatives that support the company's global workforce.

Responsibilities Include, But Are Not Limited To:

Total Rewards Strategy & Execution

• Drive the implementation and ongoing management of the global compensation and benefits strategy, ensuring total rewards programs are competitive, equitable, and aligned to business objectives.
• Lead execution of the company's annual merit, bonus, and compensation planning cycles, streamlining processes for efficiency and clarity.
• Develop and maintain scalable compensation frameworks, pay practices, and rewards governance processes.
• Provide strategic counsel to senior leaders on compensation, benefits, and workforce planning considerations.

HR Technology & Systems Optimization

• Drive key initiatives on the HR Technology roadmap, with a focus on maximizing Workday capabilities and exploring AI-driven HR solutions and automation opportunities.
• Lead HR systems optimization and process improvement initiatives to enhance operational efficiency and employee experience.
• Partner cross-functionally to improve data integrity, workflows, reporting capabilities, and system scalability across People operations.

Leadership & Team Management

• Manage and mentor a team of professionals, fostering a high-performance and development-oriented environment.
• Establish team priorities, drive accountability, and support career development and succession planning within the function.
• Lead through organizational change and evolving business priorities with a collaborative and solutions-oriented mindset.
• Cross-Functional Partnership & Operational Support
  • Provide strategic counsel and insights to the Chief People Officer's team and other senior leaders on all matters related to human capital investment and organizational health.
  • Partner with Payroll, Finance, Talent Acquisition, HRBPs, Legal, and other business stakeholders to ensure operational alignment and compliance across rewards and HR systems.
  • Support enterprise initiatives related to workforce planning, organizational effectiveness, compliance, and process transformation.
  • Act as a hands-on leader capable of solving complex operational and process challenges in fast-paced environments.

Analytics, Reporting & Strategic Insights

• Leverage compensation, workforce, and HR systems data to support business decision-making and operational effectiveness.
• Develop reporting and insights that inform compensation planning, workforce trends, and HR operational priorities.

Things That Should Be In Your Background:

• 7–10+ years of progressive leadership experience in Total Rewards, HR Operations, or HR Technology.
• Extensive experience managing global compensation strategies, benefits programs, and company-wide merit cycles.
• Significant experience with Workday, HR systems optimization, and HR process automation.
• Proven success managing and developing teams.
• Demonstrated experience partnering with executive-level People leaders and cross-functional stakeholders.
• Strong analytical and operational mindset with experience leveraging workforce and compensation data to support decision-making.

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 ($231,000 - $263,000), 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 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: View email address on ziprecruiter.com.

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.