Sr. Manager Partner Referral

The key responsibilities of the Sr. Manager Partner Referral at 2U include setting and executing a long-term strategic vision for the partner referral channel, managing relationships with diverse partners, driving channel growth through innovative strategies, and monitoring channel performance with data-driven insights to optimize revenue targets. This role is all about collaboration and influencing both partners and internal stakeholders.

To apply for the Sr. Manager Partner Referral position at 2U, you should have a Bachelor’s degree in marketing, business, or a related field. Additionally, at least 8 years of experience in partnership marketing or channel management is preferred, with 5 years of demonstrated leadership experience. Strong data analysis skills and proven relationship management capabilities are also essential for this role.

The Sr. Manager Partner Referral significantly affects revenue at 2U by overseeing a high-impact marketing channel responsible for over $40 million in annual revenue. This role directly influences revenue generation through optimizing partner contributions, creating co-marketing strategies, and ensuring sustained performance, driving measurable business results across various products and web assets.

The anticipated base salary range for the Sr. Manager Partner Referral role at 2U is between $115,000 and $130,000, with potential eligibility for bonuses. This salary range is based on the candidate's qualifications, experience, and market conditions, reflecting the importance of this position within the organization.

At 2U, the culture is all about belonging and respect. Employees are passionate, innovative, and committed to transforming lives through education. The work environment is collaborative and fun, emphasizing diversity and inclusion. As a Sr. Manager Partner Referral, you will be part of a dynamic team that encourages personal and professional growth, driving impactful work in higher education for millions.

In answering this question, highlight a specific instance where you developed a partner strategy that led to measurable results. Focus on the objectives, the strategies you employed, and how you tracked performance against goals. Be prepared to discuss any challenges faced and how you overcame them, showcasing your strategic thinking and ability to drive results.

Discuss specific metrics you use to gauge the success of partner referral channels, such as traffic generated, conversion rates, lead generation, and revenue. Explain your approach to data analysis and how you use insights to make decisions and optimize channel performance. Providing examples of how you’ve communicated your findings will strengthen your answer.

Detail your methods for maintaining strong relationships, like regular communication, understanding their needs, and providing them with actionable insights to optimize their contributions. Mention any tools or approaches you use to keep track of relationship dynamics and identify growth opportunities for both parties.

Use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) methodology to describe a specific incident where you faced a challenge with a partner. Emphasize how you approached the issue, the steps you took to resolve it, and the positive outcome that resulted. This will demonstrate your problem-solving and negotiation skills.

Talk about the tools and metrics you utilize for performance monitoring, such as Google Analytics for traffic insights and revenue tracking. Discuss your process of setting benchmarks and regularly reviewing performance data to identify trends, opportunities, and areas needing improvement, ensuring alignment with business goals.

Explain your approach to making a compelling case for resource allocation, including data-driven insights and performance metrics to support your requests. Describe how you collaborate with other teams to ensure alignment, prioritize initiatives, and demonstrate the value of investing in the partner referral channel.

Illustrate the importance of data analysis in your strategy development by discussing how you collect, analyze, and apply data to inform your decisions. Provide examples of how your analytical insights have led to successful channel strategies or improvements in partner performance.

Share your strategies for staying informed, such as following industry news, attending conferences, participating in webinars, and networking with peers. Emphasize your commitment to continuous learning and how this knowledge influences your strategies and relationships in the rapidly evolving education sector.

Use a specific example to illustrate your experience with co-marketing initiatives, detailing your role, the partnership dynamics, and the outcomes achieved. Highlight metrics or impacts from the initiative to demonstrate its success and how it contributed to mutual goals for both organizations.

Discuss your strategies for budget management, including how you assess the needs of channel initiatives, allocate resources effectively, and track spending. Highlight your experience in reporting and adjusting budgets based on performance and strategic priorities, ensuring financial goals align with overall business objectives.