Director, Continuing & Professional Education

The American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD), located in Alexandria, VA, is the leading organization of scientists and health care professionals committed to preventing and curing liver disease. They are seeking a Director of Continuing & Professional Education. This position is remote with occasional travel required. Eligible candidates should reside in one of the following states: CT, DC, FL, IL, MD, MI, NC, NJ, OH, VA, and WI. AASLD offers a competitive benefits package, including generous PTO. POSITION SUMMARY - The Director of Continuing & Professional Education collaborates on the overall strategy and vision for AASLD’s educational portfolio, including shaping the direction of The Liver Meeting, Digestive Disease Week, standalone workshops, digital education initiatives, and other innovative programmatic concepts that advance member value, drive revenue, and support AASLD’s long-term growth. - This position partners with staff, member leaders, and subject matter experts to ensure alignment with AASLD’s mission and strategic priorities. - The Director of Continuing & Professional Education has direct oversight of the operational execution of AASLD’s educational programs, including management of the LMS and related technologies, education grants, digital learning products, and the implementation of all conferences and events. - This role leads program design and evaluation using instructional design and adult learning principles to ensure high-quality, engaging, and outcomes-driven content. - In this capacity, the Director is responsible for vendor management, workflow oversight, and day-to-day operations that bring the collaboratively defined education strategy to life. - Reporting to the Vice President of Education & Professional Development, this position also manages four direct reports. RESPONSIBILITIES Education Activity Strategy & Execution - Oversee educational committees and task forces, directing the development of content, identifying new product ideas, guiding program committee involvement, and ensuring continuing education goals are met. These include: - The Liver Meeting Scientific Program Committee: Primary Liaison - Digestive Disease Week Unified Program Committee: AASLD Staff Liaison in partnership with Manager Education - Oversight Committee: Liaison in partnership with VP, Education and Professional Development - Basic Research Committee, CME Committee, and Online Learning Committee: Provide support and guidance to Program Managers serving as staff liaisons - Contribute to the development of educational strategy, as well as to the overall leadership and management of the Education and Professional Development Department, in partnership with the VP. - Ensure that AASLD is positioned to be a leader in providing the highest quality continuing and professional education programs that incorporate the latest in program delivery formats, audience generation, data collection, and outcomes reporting. - Direct the design and implementation of evaluation tools for educational activities, including the assessment of learning objectives, and changes in learner competence, performance, and/or patient outcomes because of educational interventions. - Review the overall focus of the educational program and identify areas for improvement. - Evaluate new technologies that further enhance the effectiveness of the education department. - Ensure ongoing CME accreditation and support the ACCME accreditation process, and related documentation, through the supervision of the accreditation manager. Revenue Generation, Growth, & Engagement - Drive increased engagement of hepatology providers and other targeted audiences with AASLD-provided education activities through a focus on identified learner needs and practice gaps. - Collaborate effectively with other departments and AASLD staff to engage and communicate with members and other audiences effectively, as learners and subject matter experts. - Identify opportunities to diversify and strengthen AASLD revenue streams. - Supervise related educational grant development and management activities within the department, in collaboration with the VP, Education and Professional Development and the Senior Manager, Corporate Partnerships. Leadership - Manage continuing and professional education staff and provide leadership and mentoring; evaluate performance and determine work assignments, methods, and priorities. - Demonstrate ability to work effectively with others possessing less experience or technical expertise. - Make recommendations for systems and process improvement when gaps are identified. - Work effectively with minimal supervision in a deadline-driven environment. - Collaborate with senior leaders to develop and execute educational strategies that support AASLD’s strategic objectives. - Provide regular updates and discuss strategic planning ideas and opportunities with the VP, Education and Professional Development to ensure alignment of association-wide business objectives and activities. - Ensure that projects adhere to established deadlines, milestones, budget, and organization policies. - Identify and assess resource needs across the department to ensure alignment with organizational goals and strategic priorities. Budget - Lead the development of annual budgets in conjunction with the VP, Education and Professional Development and hold spending authority for significant expenses. - Monitor and manage the organization’s resources within budget parameters. - Oversee and review invoices, monitor expenses, and take corrective action to meet financial goals. - Authorize related invoices and monitor expenses, taking corrective action as needed, to meet financial goals. - Track and monitor financial activity for grant-funded projects to ensure accurate reconciliation reporting at each project’s ending. - Review financial reports and report inaccuracies to appropriate Finance team member. Human Resources - Provide direct supervision to the: Manager, Accreditation and Education Analytics; Manager, Live and Digital Education; Senior Program Manager, Education TLM; Manager, Education DDW and Interactive Learning. - Effectively manage the formal and informal professional development of direct reports through skill planning, coaching, and performance feedback. - Evaluate performance and determine work assignments, methods, and priorities in collaboration with the VP, Education and Professional Development. - Serve as an internal expert for education to other organizational stakeholders. - Support staff leadership in advancing the association’s staff culture and accountability. SKILLS & ABILITIES - Ability to work with staff and volunteers at all levels and a commitment to keeping stakeholders informed - Ability to lead and manage change in a positive and inclusive manner, as well as build credibility with volunteer leadership - Ability to provide staff leadership in advancing the association’s culture and accountability; supports and drives AASLD’s goals around diversity, equity, and inclusion - Ability to clearly and effectively communicate ideas verbally and in writing, including the ability to edit the writing of others - Strategic thinking and problem-solving skills; ability to anticipate future consequences and trends, make decisions congruent with the organization’s strategic direction, mission and goals, and develop new approaches to solve problems or improve processes - Planning and organizing skills; ability to determine priorities, develop plans to assure the achievement of objectives, and allocate time and resources effectively - Supervisory/management skills; ability to set clear performance objectives and directions, delegate appropriately, and provide clear, behaviorally specific performance feedback, effective coaching, and development opportunities - Customer service skills; ability to provide the highest quality products and services that meet or exceed the needs and requirements of internal and external customers - Interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence; ability to build and maintain effective interpersonal and team relationships with a diverse network of colleagues inside and outside the organization, and with other relevant individuals with whom the organization works (members, the media, other organizations, funders etc.) - Ability to travel up to 15% REQUIRED EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE - Bachelor’s degree in a relevant area, or other related field equivalent work experience - Minimum of 10 years of experience in a similar role with advanced subject matter expertise - Experience in Continuing Medical Education (CME), instructional design, adult learning theory, curriculum design, educational research methods, program evaluation, and ACCME accreditation - Experience in healthcare education - Experience leading a team in an association management setting - Knowledge of key programmatic, operational, and financial issues and priorities - Proven success forming and maintaining external partnerships and networks - Successful volunteer management experience - Experience building successful relationships with staff colleagues and direct reports in a fast paced and collaborative environment - Healthcare Education: Familiarity with MOC, CME, the ACCME Policies and Standards, PhRMA guidelines and the Physician Payment Sunshine Act HOW TO APPLY - If you believe you meet the requirements, please submit a resume, cover letter, and writing samples to the Submit button above. - Salary: $113,000 – $155,000 - Additional inquiries and questions can be emailed to Beth Cessna at jobs@cessnasearch.com or contact 202-232-1765. ABOUT THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION FOR THE STUDY OF LIVER DISEASES (AASLD) - AASLD is the leading organization of scientists and health care professionals committed to preventing and curing liver disease. The organization fosters research that leads to improved treatment options for millions of liver disease patients and advances the science and practice of hepatology through educational conferences, training programs, professional publications, and partnerships with government agencies and sister societies. - AASLD recognizes that each employee’s experiences and perspectives are unique and add value to its ability to serve the membership and community. - AASLD is committed to building a fully inclusive, collaborative, and respectful workplace that reflects all the communities it serves. - The organization offers a competitive benefits package, including generous vacation/holiday leave and retirement contribution. - AASLD is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. ABOUT CESSNA & ASSOCIATES, LLC - Cessna & Associates, LLC is a boutique HR consultancy partnering with mission-driven organizations. - Our goal is to identify the best potential candidates that the market has to offer.