Manager, Deal Desk & Proposals

As a Manager, Deal Desk & Proposals at 2U, you will lead and manage the deal review process, collaborate with teams across sales, legal, and finance, and influence the evolution of commercial strategy documentation to meet business needs. Your role will focus on identifying opportunities for improvement in deal flow, ensuring that prioritization aligns with our commercial strategies while engaging a diverse array of stakeholders.

To qualify for the Manager, Deal Desk & Proposals role at 2U, a bachelor's degree is required alongside over 4 years of relevant experience in facilitating deal flow within a Deal Desk environment. Strong project management skills, along with B2B sales experience and an ability to navigate through ambiguity, are essential to thrive in this position.

Critical skills for the Manager, Deal Desk & Proposals at 2U include strong process and program management abilities, attention to detail, and a knack for working effectively in fast-paced environments. You should be able to manage competing priorities while delivering clarity and solutions to the complexities that arise during the deal-making process.

The Deal Desk function at 2U supports business strategy by ensuring clarity throughout the deal flow, partnering with various functional stakeholders to align deals with our commercial strategy. By managing unique deals and prioritizing market opportunities, the Deal Desk significantly contributes to the business's overall success.

At 2U, we highly value work-life balance as part of our company culture. In the Manager, Deal Desk & Proposals role, you can expect flexible working arrangements, including remote work options, as well as comprehensive benefits that support both your professional and personal life.

When answering this question, provide specific examples of deal review processes you've implemented or managed. Highlight your collaboration with cross-functional teams, your project management role, and successful outcomes that align with business objectives.

In your response, outline your approach to prioritization, such as using metrics to evaluate deal impact, stakeholder input, and alignment with overall business goals. Give a real-life example to illustrate your method.

Discuss your systematic approach to identifying risks, engaging compliance teams early, and developing thorough documentation. Highlight any specific frameworks or checklists you follow to ensure a comprehensive risk review.

Use this opportunity to demonstrate your strategic impact by discussing specific initiatives you've led to refine or evolve commercial strategies. Share measurable successes and how they aligned with your organization’s goals.

Reflect on your communication strategies, such as regular status updates, collaborative tools, and structured meetings. Provide an example where effective communication led to successful deal outcomes.

Be candid about a real challenge that illustrates your problem-solving skills. Discuss the specific challenges faced, the steps you took to address them, and the successful outcome achieved.

Mention specific deal management software or project management tools that you’re familiar with. Explain how you utilized these tools to streamline processes, track deal progress, and improve communication.

Discuss your approach to respectfully engaging in dialogue, presenting data-driven justifications for your strategy, and being open to feedback. Highlight the importance of collaboration in finding a mutually agreeable solution.

Articulate metrics that reflect both quantitative and qualitative aspects of deal success. These could include deal closure rates, customer satisfaction, and alignment with business objectives. Provide justification for why these metrics matter.

Emphasize your commitment to continuous learning through industry publications, networking with peers, attending conferences, and engaging in professional development. Mention specific sources or communities you follow for insights.