Director of Professional Development

ORGANIZATION

Building a Nation of Learners by Advancing America’s Community Colleges

The American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) is the primary advocacy organization for the nation’s community colleges. The association represents more than 1,000 2-year, associate degree-granting institutions and nearly 10.5 million students.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Director of Professional Development leads the design, delivery, and evaluation of professional learning programs and services for members. This role oversees development, event programming, online learning platforms, and association-wide initiatives to ensure alignment with the organization’s mission and strategic goals in support of the AACC Strategic Compass.

Key Responsibilities

Program Design

• Curate a cohesive portfolio of professional development experiences that advance leadership and professional learning across the community college ecosystem.
• Develop foundational strategies that support accreditation for programs.
• Coordinate with affiliated councils to connect diverse resources for professional learning.

Needs & Impact Analysis

• Develop and implement assessments that evaluate effectiveness and provide for continuous program improvement.
• Stay abreast of educational and sector trends to inform and ensure programs remain relevant and cutting-edge.

Content & Facilitator Management

• Recruit, onboard, and manage a network of external subject matter experts, workshop facilitators, and instructional content creators.

LMS & Platform Oversight

• Identify and manage the association's Learning Management System (LMS) or digital delivery platforms to optimize user engagement and track continuing education units (CEUs), engagement, and credentials.
• Coordinate across departments to align LMS and CMS (Personify).

Collaboration & Outreach

• Partner with advisory committees and external academic or institutional partners to promote continuous learning initiatives and expand association membership value.

Budget & Resource Administration

• Oversee the department's operational budget, monitor vendor contracts, and partner across the organization to identify grant or revenue-generating opportunities for educational programs.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required Education and Experience

Experience in higher education, particularly at community colleges, is strongly preferred and will be prioritized in the review process.

Education: Bachelor’s degree in education, Curriculum and Instruction, Organizational Leadership, Nonprofit Management, or a related field.

Experience: 5 to 8 years of progressive experience in professional development, instructional design, or adult education—preferably within a membership association, non-profit, or higher education environment. Demonstrated success in designing and implementing high-impact professional development programming.

Skills: Expert knowledge of adult learning theories, LMS administration, project and event management, and exceptional written and verbal communication abilities. Ability to manage budgets and resources effectively.

Other: Willingness to travel as needed to engage with member institutions and partners.

Supervision and Reporting

Reports to: SVP, Member Impact & Network Engagement

Location and travel

This position is based in the AACC office located in Washington, DC and is eligible for a hybrid schedule with one day remote per week. Ther will be periodic travel to member institutions, conferences, and partner sites as required; occasional to frequent, depending on program needs and partnerships.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature of work being performed by the individual assigned to the position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of duties, responsibilities, and skills required. Management reserves the right to modify, add, or remove duties, and to assign other duties as necessary. In addition, reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.

American Association of Community Colleges is an equal employment opportunity (EEO) employer committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. We are committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace where all individuals are valued and respected.