Director of Education and Certification

POSITION TITLE: Director of Education and Certification

DEPARTMENT: Education and Certification

REPORTS TO: Executive Director

SUPERVISES: Account Manager, Certification Manager, Education Manager

STATUS: Full-Time, Exempt

LOCATION: Remote (option for Hybrid or In-Person based on location)

PURPOSE:

To support ACTFL’s mission and vision through innovation and cross-functional collaboration to enhance ACTFL’s influence in the language education field, support language educator excellence, and shape national and global discourse on language learning. This position is responsible for elevating ACTFL's role as the national leader in professional learning content and certification of world language educators and programs. This position ensures that ACTFL delivers high-quality professional learning experiences and certification pathways to educators, agencies, institutions, and organizations, both in-person and online. This position assumes an active and creative role in assisting the Executive Director to chart ACTFL’s future course through collaboration with the Board of Directors’ Professional Learning Committee, the Executive Director’s Leadership Team, all staff, and outside vendor partners.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Strategic Leadership & Vision

• • Develop and lead ACTFL’s professional learning and certification initiatives.
  • Ensure alignment of all professional learning and certification offerings with ACTFL’s mission, values, strategic plan, and language education standards.
  • Partner with the Executive Director and Leadership Team to shape and execute organizational strategy.

Professional Learning Program Development & Innovation

• • Oversee the design, implementation, and evaluation of ACTFL’s professional learning programs, including (but not limited to) institutes, summits, town halls, courses, workshops, webinars, podcasts, and special events.
  • Lead innovation in content, formats, and delivery methods based on adult learning theory, educator needs, research, and emerging technologies.
  • Direct all professional learning content programs and services consistent with ACTFL’s standards and guiding principles, including but not limited to content around learning standards, curriculum, instructional support, assessment, and language proficiency guidelines.
• Direct the quality and performance of all internal and external consultants and facilitators of ACTFL’s professional learning programs and services.
  • Develop and align educator certification and credentialing programs with professional learning offerings for a unified ecosystem.

Certification & Credentialing Program Development

• • Oversee the development, implementation, and evaluation of ACTFL’s national certification programs for world language educators, professional learning, and assessments grounded in ACTFL standards and frameworks.
  • Monitor state requirements for initial and continuing teacher certification, and advocate for ACTFL-recognized pathways to state and local education agencies.
  • Develop continuing education credit offerings and higher education partnerships that enhance ACTFL’s professional value across all its programs and services.

External Relations & Advocacy

• • Represent ACTFL in national and international forums and presentations as a thought leader and expert presenter on language education and policy.
  • Build and nurture relationships with educational institutions, government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and commercial partners.
  • Consult with internal and external stakeholders on trends, research, and policy impacting the language education landscape.

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Quality Assurance Leadership

• Collaborate across internal departments to align ACTFL’s annual professional learning programming with its strategic plan goals and to integrate communications and initiatives about language learning.
  • Serve as liaison to the Board of Directors’ Professional Learning Committee and contribute to organizational governance.
  • Supervise and develop internal staff and a robust network of external consultants, facilitators, raters, and testers.
  • Set and uphold standards of excellence for content development, facilitation, and assessment.
  • Develop training, quality monitoring, and continuous improvement systems for all personnel involved in program delivery.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• • Post-secondary degree with a major in language, and/or language education, applied linguistics, curriculum & instruction, or related field (Master’s level or above preferred).
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive leadership experience through a combination of teaching, professional learning, curriculum development, administration, education policy, and certification in multiple settings (e.g., institution, district, state, national, non-profit and/or for-profit organization levels).
• Skills and experience in organizing and providing professional development programs to a variety of audiences or participants nationwide.
  • Deep knowledge of and experience in language acquisition, standards-based instruction, instructional design, educator development, assessment, and certification/credentialing programs.
  • Strong administrative and supervisory skills, with experience managing complex teams and projects.
  • Demonstrated success building strategic partnerships and influencing policy and practice.
  • Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.

EXPECTED WORK HOURS/TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS:

• This is a full-time position with a 35-hour work week.
• General operating hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM Eastern Time.
• ACTFL maintains a fully remote workforce, with the option of working at our headquarters location in Alexandria, VA.
• Must maintain a primary residence within 60 miles of a major commercial airport (e.g., those with multiple daily direct flights to major U.S. cities).
• Travel to our annual convention is required (third week of November).

While the above is a description of the essential functions of the position, other duties may be assigned. This job description is subject to change at the discretion of management.

We Provide Excellent Benefits.

At ACTFL, we support our employees. Our dress of the day work environment is full of learning and growth opportunities, and our benefits package is robust. Employees receive:

• • Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance
  • Insurance covered 80%.
  • 401K retirement savings with matching
  • ACTFL contributes up to 5% in employee matching.
  • PTO:
  • Less than two (2) years – 1-day accrual/month
  • 2-5 years – 1.25 days accrual/month
  • 5-10 years – 1.5 days accrual/month
  • 10 + years – 2 days accrual/month
  • Sick Leave
  • 12 days of paid sick leave per year
  • Personal Days
  • 3 personal days for the fiscal year (cannot be carried over) expires, on June 30
  • Paid Holidays
  • 12 holidays per year
  • Paid week off between Christmas and New Years (in addition to PTO)
  • Summer Fridays (ACTFL is closed June - August)
  • Professional Development:
  • Generous annual professional development stipend
  • Life, AD&D, Short & Long Term Disability Insurance
  • Flexible Spending Account (Medical, Dependent Care, & Transportation)
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Voluntary Benefits (Discount Rates)
  • AFLAC
  • Pet Plus and Wishbone
  • ID Watchdog
  • Free on-site parking