Senior Intellectual Property Counsel

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 primary focus of this role is to provide strategic guidance, oversight, and direction to 2U’s course development intellectual property strategy and work. With a significant emphasis on supporting the learning team’s content development to ensure compliance with relevant intellectual property laws, the Senior IP Counsel will be a strategic thinker with broad copyright and trademark knowledge. This role will provide guidance to various business units to ensure that 2U intellectual property is protected and third-party IP is properly cleared and tracked.  The Senior Intellectual Property Counsel will further support 2U by providing advice and counsel when evaluating new technologies and tools (e.g., AI) for business use, as well as assisting in managing the company’s IP portfolio. Responsibilities Include, But Are Not Limited To: IP policy development, strategy, and implementation  Oversee, manage, and ensure the proper protection and exploitation of Intellectual Property in 2U learning products.  Create and implement Standard Operating Procedures for managing 2U created and licensed IP. Provide strategic direction and advice on IP related questions.  Build relationships with the broader business to share knowledge, and implement best practices for IP stewardship, including as it relates to rights clearance. Provide strategic thought leadership related to emerging IP issues.  Assist with trademark/IP portfolio management.  Oversee the asset clearance process for products  Ensure robust processes are in place so that content is only incorporated into a program when properly licensed and tracked.  Oversee and manage the work of the Intellectual Property Specialist/Officer. Liaise with University Partner / 3rd party copyright specialists to ensure alignment and integration with their copyright processes and policies. Support the undertaking of audits on existing courses and the planning for retroactive clearance where necessary. Standardize and align all rights clearance processes across the business. Lead negotiations with external publishers for licensing relationships.  License management  Oversee the management of our suite of third-party content licenses, ensuring licenses are renewed and payment of fees is made. Oversee the work of the Intellectual Property Specialist in this regard and ensure that this role has the tools required to operate effectively. Develop and manage a robust IP license clearance, tracking, and reporting system. Oversee 2U’s image/work product release process, including ensuring global compliance in all relevant markets for securing necessary permissions from students, guest speakers, SMEs, etc. whose material we may need to integrate into our content.  Training and awareness  Train the learning team/content production teams on best practices for third party IP integration.  Assist training other teams on IP usage limitations and restrictions.  Operational improvements  Introduce and champion enhancements to improve IP related processes (in particular, the asset tracking process, and license management process), specifically to improve data integrity and efficiency. General legal advice / compliance  Provide advice and counsel to ensure that operations are in line with applicable legal or regulatory requirements and best practices. Support the broader legal team as needed. Assist with policy development and implementation. Other support as needed.   People management  Supervise, line manage and develop direct line reports including Intellectual Property Specialist/Officer  Identify training needs and organize relevant training initiatives for direct reports. Facilitate the PDS process for direct reports.  Things That Should Be In Your Background: At least 5 year’s experience as an admitted and licensed attorney in South Africa with an emphasis in practice on intellectual property. LLB (Bachelor of Laws).  Experience with academic publishing/content production  Experience with international operations  Experience with online education/higher education  Attention to detail + good communication skills + ability to work independently + ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously Experience managing individual contributors 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 at2U 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. 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. 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.