Learning and Training Director Job

Reporting to the Senior Impact Officer, the Director will build and execute a comprehensive strategy for NAFSA’s learning and training programs in alignment with NAFSA’s strategic plan and expert content areas. This includes, but is not limited to, creating, designing, implementing, and assessing NAFSA’s portfolio of workshops, customized programs, and digital learning opportunities, and meeting established revenue benchmarks accordingly.

The Director will work collaboratively across the organization—with internal and external stakeholders—to provide guidance and expertise in design, content development, and delivery processes to achieve the highest quality content, and ensure that the training and corresponding materials are integrated and maintained for the entire portfolio.

In addition to these strategic outcomes, the Director will manage day-to-day operations of the NAFSA Core Education Program (CEP), Current Topic Workshops (CTW), and Trainer Corps (TC) Programs. The Director will supervise one (1) Associate Director, Learning and Development and one (1) Program Manager, Learning Services.

Major Functions and Responsibilities:

Lead the development and maintenance of Core Education Program (CEP) portfolio and content (20%)

• Serve as the primary point of contact on new CEP content development and collaboratively partner with staff to maintain existing content to ensure consistency with the current strategic direction
• Provide insight and expertise to new product development, delivery methodologies, and the integration of appropriate technologies into offerings
• Coordinate integration of International Education Professional Competencies into CEP curricula
• Oversee the educational validity, brand identity, and standards of the NAFSA CEP
• Ensure that workshop curricula and content are maintained and updated as needed to meet the needs of adult learners in a professional setting
• Maintain knowledge of leading trends in order to provide innovative offerings to meet the needs of international educators and integrate evolving technologies
• Lead and direct the annual review of CEP content and recommend development, refresh, and reconstruction priorities based on participant evaluation data, the IE Professional Competencies, and needs of the field
• Facilitate user testing of program curriculum as needed
• Provide oversight and collaborate with appropriate staff to ensure that each workshop curriculum has the appropriate and up-to-date complementary set of materials, including participant workbooks, visuals, trainer guide, web resources, and supplementary materials
• Identify and guide development of Current Topics Learning Labs offerings

Meet revenue benchmarks (20%)

• Create annual plan for CEP and e-Learning offerings aligning with strategic goals set by NAFSA leadership in collaboration with Senior Impact Officer
• Develop and manage the accompanying CEP and eLearning budgets in collaboration with the Senior Impact Officer
• Monitor and track registrations to ensure revenue benchmarks are met
• Collaborate with Marketing, and other NAFSA staff to implement strategic marketing and promotion of the NAFSA CEP and eLearning offerings
• Direct staff to develop outreach messages to promote CEP and eLearning offerings via various social media channels, including reaching new and expanded audiences

Lead the preparation and implementation of workshops and related events at annual conference (20%)

• Develop and propose a balanced program and schedule of preconference workshops
• Serve as member of the review and copyediting team for the annual conference registration brochure, conference programs, and other promotional materials
• Oversee the planning and delivery of the Trainer Corps (TC) Preparation Program, including the induction and enrichment workshops, and TC Colloquium
• Coordinate the trainer observation schedule at the annual conference
• Monitor workshop registrations, and recommend adjustments and/or additional marketing and outreach as needed
• Adjudicate workshop refund requests made by participants and collaborate with registration staff to ensure approved refunds are issued in a timely manner

Manage NAFSA’s Trainer Corps program (20%)

• Serve as staff partner to the TC chair and chair-designate, supporting and assisting with their initiatives and responsibilities
• Recruit, orient, and support all members of the TC leadership
• Develop appropriate, engaging, and interactive train-the-trainer curricula, materials, and oversee the implementation of these trainings
• Direct staff to assist the TC chair and designate in managing virtual meetings of the TC lead trainers in preparation for NAFSA conferences
• Direct staff to maintain the annual TC calendar and ensure that all programs and trainings are carried out
• Plan the promotion, recruitment, application, and selection process for new and renewing TC members
• Direct staff to ensure that all recordkeeping of trainer involvement and program statistics are maintained and kept up-to-date
• Administer the assessment and evaluation of all aspects of the TC program and analyze data with TC chair, TC chair designate and Senior Impact Officer

Provide oversight for the NAFSA annual conference, regional conferences, and partner workshop offerings (10%)

• Direct the learning and training staff in the planning, preparation, implementation, and follow-up for all CEP workshops
• Maintain strong relationships with workshop organizers and cultivate new relationships to increase offerings of CEP products
• Monitor registrations for the individual CEP workshops and the number of workshops offered at regional conferences or on site to inform strategic decisions and provide accurate guidance to regional leaders and workshop organizers
• Initiate staff-driven partner/ virtual CEP workshops at appropriate times throughout the year
• Direct staff to maintain program statistics, data, and oversee evaluation processes for all workshops

Collaborate with Conference Program staff (5%)

• Provide guidance for the development and edits of Current Topics Workshop (CTW) proposal and review process
• Attend Annual Conference Committee content team calls, as requested
• Review and provide feedback on CTW proposals
• Collaborate with Annual Conference Committee to determine selection of the annual conference CTWs to ensure an innovative, well balanced preconference workshop program
• Refine the selected CTW’s learning objectives and provide training guidance and support to CTW training teams
• Oversee the notification process to CTW trainers by staff
• Develop, manage, and track the Annual Conference CTW budget in collaboration with the Senior Impact Officer
• Ensure that staff members are trained adequately to provide the CTW staff support as requested by conference staff

Performs other duties as assigned to support the Senior Director in achievement of NAFSA strategic goals and objectives. (5%)

Requirements:

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in instructional design, curriculum and instruction, or related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• Minimum of six (6) years of experience effectively leading and managing the strategy and operations of learning and training units
• Minimum of (3) years supervisory experience
• Proven experience maintaining existing client relationships and identifying new markets for learning and training products
• Proven experience in the design and execution of a sales strategy to maximize profitable business growth
• Proven experience working across a mid-size organization, and building relationships with internal and external stakeholders
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written, including web-based applications and presentation delivery
• Proven ability to influence and inspire people and cross-functional teams without direct positional authority
• Demonstrated experience in project management and success with cross-departmental teams and external stakeholders
• Experience with various technology tools and data management systems including learning management systems (Cadmium, iMIS preferred)
• Demonstrated experience applying adult learning principles for learning products
• Exceptional collaboration skills, working across functions to ensure harmony and consensus around common goals, direction of projects, and activities
• Demonstrated experience of success in recruiting and working with volunteers and subject matter experts for content development and training delivery
• Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite products
• Ability to master various technology, web, and data management systems
• Previous experience with NAFSA, international education, or other association membership organizations, preferred

Desired Qualifications:

• Business development and entrepreneurial skills and experience, preferred
• Master’s degree in instructional design, curriculum & instruction, or a related field, preferred

Scope of Supervision

The position will have the following supervisory responsibilities:

• Supervise two (2) staff members—Associate Director, Learning and Development and Program Manager, Learning Services
• Set annual performance goals that support achievement of established benchmarks
• Nurture team members’ professional development and create learning opportunities
• Provide oversight of projects and tasks
• Guide staff as appropriate in daily operations

Work Relationships

As representatives of a membership organization with a broad and diverse range of activities related to education and training, NAFSA staff possess more than simply specialized capabilities. Each individual is expected to take the initiative to become knowledgeable about the organization as a whole. Association members and other staff expect colleagues to be accessible and responsive, to convey a positive attitude, and to exhibit a high degree of professionalism.

Office Environment

The workday is generally 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The week after Memorial Day to Labor Day, it is 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Friday.

Travel is required occasionally related to job responsibilities, especially for the annual conference, regional meetings, and other leadership meetings. Participation in the NAFSA annual conference the week of Memorial Day, including the holiday itself, is a job requirement. The annual conference is held in varying cities.

Total Compensation, Benefits

The hiring annual salary for this full-time, 35-hour per week Director, Learning & Training position is targeted at $100,000. Total compensation for employment at NAFSA entails a competitive employee benefits package, including:

• Competitively priced medical and dental insurance plans with CareFirst and MetLife
• 403(b) retirement plan with eligibility for a 7% employer contribution
• Generous paid vacation, sick, personal, and parental leave plans
• Thirteen paid holidays plus office closure between Christmas and New Year’s Day
• Fully paid group life and disability insurance coverage
• Health and dependent care flexible spending account plans
• Pre-tax parking and transportation plans
• Opportunities for professional development and partial tuition reimbursement
• Free onsite fitness center and secure bicycle parking