Director of Professional Development 

 

Welcome!

Thank you for your interest in the Director of Professional Development position. There is a lot more to this position than we could include in the posting you read, so we wanted to give you some more information on the position itself, and what we’re looking for in a successful candidate.

  1. Position Summary

Responsible for implementing services and programs providing skill development, industry content, educational programs, and professional standards addressing the information and education needs of the association’s members.

Major Duties and Responsibilities
Researches member information and training needs and develops strategies to meet those needs through IAOM programs, courses, workshops, and conferences.

  • Solicits from members and subject matter experts contributions to the regular training programs.
  • Directs the development of curricular content for seminars, conferences, facilitator-led courses, eLearning initiatives, and workshops
  • Continually monitors, recommends, and implements teaching and learning techniques, technologies, and delivery methods for the effective delivery of the Association’s education services to the broadest possible base of the membership.
  • Writes training manuals, explanatory material, and brochure text related to education and training.
  • Coordinates speaker materials. Establishes and enforces schedules and quality for end products.
  • Ensures that members are informed of IAOM education activities of interest to them.
  • Works with Director of Meetings and Exhibits to arrange appropriate audio-visual and room set-up for meetings.
  • Monitors all committees to ensure continuity of educational standards, themes, and delivery for the Association.
  • Works with college partner to effectively monitor, plan and prepare online materials, accreditation documents, and course required reporting.
  • Monitors expenditures and takes corrective action to meet financial goals.
  • Oversees course development to meet member information needs and to support all aspects of the organization.
  • Provides vision and strategy on issues affecting member education.
  • Implements those portions of the strategic plan that relate to this position.
  • Responds to questions and correspondence regarding IAOM education programs and conference content.
  • Prepares, monitors and submits reporting data for ongoing online courses in the milling technician program.
  • Directs the creation or compilation of program content for industry meetings including the annual conference and district meetings, as required;
  • Serves as an educational program facilitator, as needed or when appropriate.
  • Negotiates contracts and business agreements with service providers, content developers, consultants, and freelance educational program developers.
  • Prepares and adapts educational content for publication in IAOM publications.

Results will be achieved through individuals, staff teams, and committee/staff efforts.

Knowledge, Skills, Training and Experience

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Required:

  • Bachelor’s degree (BA) or equivalent from four-year college or technical school; Four or more years related experience; or equivalent combination of education and direct educational delivery experience.
  • Strong knowledge of adult learning theory and educational curriculum development.
  • The ability to research and apply new learning and delivery methods to the association’s educational programs.
  • Proficiency in the use of personal computers and application software (e.g., Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint or equivalent applications) in a networked environment.
  • Experience managing courses in a learning management system
  • Experience in two-year, college program management and accreditation processes
  • Direct experience with the analysis, development, modification, and/or implementation of computer or Internet-based training or other technologically based course program authoring or educational software applications (Blackboard, Quality Matters, etc.).
  • Strong communication skills with proficiency in developing written communications and the development and delivery of verbal presentations before groups.
  • Proven effectiveness at group/team leadership and project management.
  • Ability to manage effectively within available resource allocations.
  • Strong knowledge of association-based education and previous experience in a managerial or leadership position within an association or related organization.

Position Relationships

  • Interacts with members in soliciting training proposals, selecting speakers, and assessing member needs.
  • Extensive contact with IAOM membership including liaison to all committees, colleges, task forces, and special interest groups.
  • Works with suppliers, vendors and associations to develop joint programs.
  • Participates in outside organizations, societies, or trade associations to develop personal and organization contact base.

Position Responsibilities
Policy Implementation: Implements education policies. Participates in policy formulation as to programs impacting on the incumbent’s areas of responsibilities, including promotion campaigns, sponsored events, and finance.

  • Recommends policies and changes in policies to the CEO.
  • Working with the Director of Meetings and Exhibitions, plans conferences and training sessions, and schedules committee meetings. Assesses education needs. Plans new workshops.
  • Working with CEO, develops annual goals in education.
  • Decides methods and procedures in accordance with adopted policies. In conjunction with volunteer subject experts, decides appropriateness of education material and accepts or rejects training proposals and suggested speakers.
  • Recommends education program budgets to CEO. Monitors income and expenses of education programs. Reviews/approves vendor invoices.
  • Maintains database of potential speakers for District/International meetings.
  • Receives general supervision from CEO as to goals and polices. Is expected to carry out routine tasks and responsibilities with little ongoing direction. Requires moderate to close supervision and direction on new, unusual projects and activities.

Personality Wise, We’re Looking for:

  • Someone who is upbeat, personable, and gets along well with members, volunteer leaders, and co-workers; someone who has no problem picking up the phone and talking to a stranger, helping someone out, or setting someone straight in a customer friendly yet firm way.
  • A dynamic person who can switch projects and focus with ease, track where you left off, and can easily multi-task between various projects. Things can and do change directions, and this should be both expected and anticipated!
  • Someone who loves (not likes, but loves) organizing projects, helping association staff leaders stay on target, and assisting members by email.
  • An “If I don’t know the answer, I’ll find it” personality. We encounter new opportunities every day and don’t always have the answers internally. You’ll often have to pick up the phone, “dig around,” or do some research to get an answer.
  • Someone who can take a project and just “get it done.” We don’t want to hear about the problems that come up, we simply want the results agreed upon to be completed on schedule and to spec, no excuses.
  • Someone who loves schedules and understands the importance in adhering to them. You make and manage your own calendar and get things done on (or ahead of) schedule.
  • Someone who can work independently. The CEO travels a great deal, and you need to be able to work on your own, answer your own questions and move ahead without waiting. This also means the ability to work without disrupting us or others. We’ll have scheduled times to catch up on projects, go over any questions, etc., but you MUST be able to do your tasks and projects on your own with minimal interaction.
  • Someone who will take ownership of and accountability for open issues or tasks. For example, if a vendor misses a commitment, or doesn’t deliver, you’ll straighten it out, and do whatever it takes to resolve the issue.
  • Someone who always says “Good morning!” and leaves their personal life at home. When you’re here, you’re here. No matter what happened before you walked in the door, you’re “present” and pleasant when you’re in the office.

This is NOT the Right Position for You If You Are:

  • A 9-to-5, punch-the-clock “Hey, I got done what I could today but I’ve gotta get going now, oh well, maybe tomorrow…” kind-of person
  • Only seeking short-term work – this position offers long-term, full-time employment with opportunities to grow professionally
  • Just looking for a “hobby” to get you out of the house – this is a real position with real responsibilities critical to the success of our business
  • Someone who comes in and thinks “Hmm… what should I do today?” (Hint: before you leave, you should already know what you’re doing the next day.)
  • Someone who likes to chit-chat with co-workers or get caught up on Facebook while – or instead of – actually working
  • Just starting out and have no real experience
  • Unable to provide UP-TO-DATE business references

Who We Are:

We are the headquarters office for a 124-year-old professional society of grain millers, with members spanning around the globe. We are a small office of four full-time employees, who work hard to meet our members’ needs, grow the visibility of the association, and achieve its mission, all in a financially responsible and sustainable manner.

Where You’ll Be Working:

We have a professional, well-maintained, office environment in Johnson County, Kansas. The pace is fast, the expectations are high and the work satisfying – meeting the needs of our members. You’ll be working directly with volunteer leaders, an association executive, meeting planner, and office coordinator. You’ll have your own desk, computer, phone, email. You will use a current version of several Microsoft Office products, Adobe Acrobat and a relational membership database to get your work done.

When You’ll Be Here:

This is a full-time (40 hour/week) position. You need to be at your desk and working 8:30 am and conclude your day at 4:30 pm with a 30-minute lunch break. You can bring your lunch and eat in our employee break room, using a company-provided refrigerator and microwave, or you can go out for lunch.

What You Can Expect From Us:

We are very focused on the business of serving our members, communicating electronically and through website and social media postings about the products, services and educational programs our association offers. We expect you to maximize your productivity and make the best use of your time and ours. We don’t take missed deadlines, error-prone work or excuses lightly, but we do keep an open line of communication during projects if you need help or guidance.

There is a 6-month probationary period, but it takes at least one year to go through our association’s business cycle and see or perform your job functions at least once. Your performance is evaluated by your supervisor. Performance evaluations are conducted at the end of your probation period, and annually thereafter. A staff member’s value to our organization is demonstrated through exemplary performance evaluations which is a major factor in salary increases.

We’re looking for qualified candidates only, and a full background and reference check will be conducted.

If You Think This Is You…

If you are uncomfortable or offended by anything you’ve read so far, we understand – this isn’t the right position for everyone. If, on the other hand, you’re intrigued by what you have read, then our organization has a lot to offer.

Our staff is treated with great respect, presented with an opportunity to work in the association management field, and offered a position with great variety – you’ll never get bored, and you’ll gain knowledge and experience that will help you in all parts of your life.

If you think you might be a good fit, we’d be interested in talking with you further.

To submit an application, please click here.

IAOM is an equal opportunity employer.

Thank you!