Program Manager

The American Counseling Association (ACA) is the world’s largest organization representing professional counselors in various practice settings.

Our vision: We are the preeminent advocate and resource for professional counselors and their clients in a world where everyone has access to mental health services.

Our mission: Advancing mental health and well-being through advocacy, community, inclusion and research.

Our values: Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Integrity, Proactive Leadership, Professional Community & Relationships, Scientific Practice & Knowledge, Social Justice & Empowerment.

All American Counseling Association team members are encouraged, supported, and expected to demonstrate The Way We Work Values: Be Flexible, Be Creative, Be Empowered, Be Inquisitive, Be Collaborative and Be Respectful.

JOB PURPOSE

The Manager will serve as a staff subject matter expert (SME) and support the development of all Education related programs. This position may be required to produce content directly or to interface with subject matter experts to create content in areas which require an advanced level of expertise.

In addition to the below list of responsibilities, the Program Manager will carry out assigned tasks that are consistent with the general responsibilities of this position.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Program Development:

• Collaborate with subject matter experts (SMEs), content developers, and faculty to design, develop, and implement high-quality continuing education (CE) and non-CE activities, including webinars, workshops, online courses, live conferences, and written resource materials.

Accreditation Compliance:

• Coordinate with accreditation program manager to ensure all educational activities comply with relevant accreditation standards and guidelines, coordinating the accreditation process and documentation requirements as necessary.

Needs Assessment:

• Conduct needs assessments and gap analyses to identify the educational needs and preferences of counseling professionals, informing the development of targeted educational offerings.
• Engage with members and other stakeholders to gather insights into their educational needs and interests.

Project Management:

• Lead the planning, scheduling, and execution of educational programs and projects, managing timelines, budgets, and resources effectively to ensure successful delivery.

Evaluation and Outcomes Measurement:

• Collaborate with key stakeholders to draft surveys to gather feedback from participants and adapt programs based on survey data and feedback.
• Establish evaluation metrics and assessment tools to measure the impact and effectiveness of educational activities, collecting feedback from participants and stakeholders to inform program enhancements.

Stakeholder Engagement:

• Recruit, cultivate, and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, including member volunteers, industry partners, other professional associations, and regulatory bodies, to support collaboration and resource sharing.
• Manage speaker relationships, conduct prep calls to ensure content matches audience needs, and review presentation materials for quality and adherence to brand standards.

Content Management:

• Oversee the review, approval, and dissemination of educational content, ensuring accuracy, relevance, and compliance with CE and other regulatory standards.

Communication and Outreach:

• Collaborate with the instructional design and marketing teams to devise marketing and promotion strategies for educational content.
• Act as a liaison between the education team and external stakeholders, promoting the organization's educational offerings through networking, conferences, and other public forums.

General Administration:

• Assist in the preparation of the annual department budget for CE product income and expenses.
• Continuously evaluate the effectiveness of the organization's educational offerings and identify opportunities for cross-collaboration and cross-promotion of related program activities.
• Other related duties as assigned.

REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor’s degree in related field. Master’s degree preferred.
• Minimum of 3-5 years of experience in continuing education in the counseling profession.
• Strong understanding of adult learning and instructional design principles, counseling licensure requirements, and best practices in educational content delivery.
• Excellent project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet deadlines.
• Highly organized, detail-oriented, and able to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders.
• Proficiency in budget management, data analysis, and evaluation techniques.
• Familiarity with learning management systems (LMS), online course platforms, and educational technologies.
• Experience with videography, video editing, audio editing, and/or voice-over work is a plus.
• Ability to conceptualize, plan, and implement new initiatives with a passion for education and a commitment to advancing the counseling profession.

Location & Flexibility: Hybrid - must reside within the Washington DC Metro Area.

Please include salary requirements.

An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Pro Disabled and Veteran Employer

At ACA, Equal Employment Opportunity is our commitment and goal. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, gender, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, marital status or any other protected status designated by federal, state or local law.