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Professional Development Assistant Jobs in Pennsylvania

The Pennsylvania State University

$18 - $24.50/hr

POSITION SPECIFICS Penn State is currently seeking a Development Assistant in supporting Eberly ... A commitment to professional development, learning, and being mentored. DDAR is supportive of ...

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Professional Development Assistant information

What is a professional development assistant?

A Professional Development Assistant is an administrative professional who supports the planning, coordination, and execution of training and development programs within an organization. Their responsibilities typically include scheduling workshops, managing registration, maintaining records, and assisting with event logistics. They may also help with tracking employee progress, preparing training materials, and communicating with staff about available learning opportunities. This role is vital in ensuring that employees have access to educational resources that promote growth and skill development within the company.

What are the typical responsibilities of a professional development assistant?

As a Professional Development Assistant, you'll often coordinate logistics for training sessions, such as scheduling workshops, preparing materials, and managing participant registrations. You may also track employee attendance, assist in evaluating training effectiveness, and maintain databases of learning activities. Collaboration with trainers, HR staff, and other departments is common to ensure smooth delivery of professional development programs. This role provides valuable exposure to learning and development processes, which can open pathways to more advanced HR or training positions.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a professional development assistant?

To thrive as a Professional Development Assistant, you need organizational skills, attention to detail, and experience with event planning or administrative support, often supported by an associate’s or bachelor’s degree. Familiarity with learning management systems (LMS), Microsoft Office Suite, and registration or scheduling software is typically required. Excellent communication, interpersonal skills, and a proactive approach help build positive relationships and anticipate program needs. These abilities ensure smooth coordination of professional development activities, effective support for staff, and successful program delivery.

What is the difference between Professional Development Assistant vs Career Counselor?

AspectProfessional Development AssistantCareer Counselor
CredentialsTypically requires a bachelor's degree in education, human resources, or related fieldsOften requires a master's degree in counseling, psychology, or career development
Work EnvironmentEducational institutions, corporate training departments, nonprofit organizationsEducational institutions, career centers, private practice
Employer & Industry UsageUsed in academic and corporate settings to support employee or student growthUsed to guide individuals in career planning and job search strategies

The Professional Development Assistant focuses on supporting training programs and skill-building initiatives, often within organizations. In contrast, a Career Counselor provides personalized guidance to individuals seeking career advice, making their roles complementary but distinct in scope and focus.

What are the most commonly searched types of Professional Development jobs in Pennsylvania?

The most popular types of Professional Development jobs in Pennsylvania are:

What are popular job titles related to Professional Development Assistant jobs in Pennsylvania?

For Professional Development Assistant jobs in Pennsylvania, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Professional Development Assistant jobs in Pennsylvania look for?

The top searched job categories for Professional Development Assistant jobs in Pennsylvania are:

What cities in Pennsylvania are hiring for Professional Development Assistant jobs?

Cities in Pennsylvania with the most Professional Development Assistant job openings:

Professional Development Assistant jobs near you

Assistant Director, Professional Development

American Association for Cancer Research

Philadelphia, PA • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 12 days ago

Job description

Overview
Reporting to the Director of Professional Development, the Assistant Director leads the design, execution, and continuous improvement of AACR's professional development portfolio.
This role is responsible for delivering measurable, mission-aligned outcomes through high-impact programs that advance the careers of AACR members and employees across all career stages. The Assistant Director sets clear objectives, defines success metrics, and ensures that professional development initiatives-including workshops, mentoring programs, funding-support resources, and learning communities-are inclusive, scalable, and aligned with AACR's mission to prevent and cure cancer through education and workforce development.
The Professional Development Department supports the AACR mission by fostering the career advancement of cancer researchers at all stages through promoting professional growth through essential skill training, mentorship, and leadership development initiatives. The Assistant Director plays a key role in expanding the reach, quality, and strategic value of these offerings across both place-based and digital environments.
Responsibilities
Program Design & Implementation
Deliver a high-impact portfolio of professional development programs that meet member needs and advance AACR's mission.
  • Launch and manage new and existing workshops, mentoring programs, and webinars with measurable participation and satisfaction targets.
  • Increase program engagement and reach across domestic and global AACR member communities.
  • Integrate professional development components into major AACR initiatives through cross-departmental collaboration.

Project & Budget Management
  • Ensure efficient, cost-effective, and scalable program operations.
  • Support annual budget planning with accurate forecasting for staffing, materials, technology, and space.
  • Maintain programs within approved budgets while optimizing vendor relationships and resource allocation.
  • Implement operational improvements that reduce costs or increase program efficiency.

Team Leadership & Supervision
  • Build and support a high-performing professional development team.
  • Recruit, mentor, and supervise staff and contractors to achieve defined performance goals.
  • Strengthen onboarding, training, and professional growth pathways for team members.
  • Resolve operational and personnel challenges to maintain a positive, productive team environment.

Strategy & Evaluation
  • Establish and track strategic goals that improve program quality, inclusivity, and outcomes.
  • Define annual objectives and measurable success indicators for professional development initiatives.
  • Collect, analyze, and report on program data-including enrollment, participant feedback, and learning outcomes-to guide continuous improvement.
  • Implement data-driven adjustments that increase program effectiveness and participant satisfaction.

Stakeholder Engagement & Partnerships
  • Expand AACR's professional development ecosystem through strategic partnerships.
  • Strengthen collaborations with academic institutions, cancer centers, professional societies, funders, and industry partners.
  • Increase external sponsorship, content contributions, and recognition opportunities.
  • Represent AACR on committees and working groups to advance the field of cancer research career development.

Communications & Outreach
  • Increase awareness, visibility, and engagement with AACR professional development offerings.
  • Produce compelling program summaries, email campaigns, website content, and social media messaging.
  • Collaborate with Marketing, Creative Services, Communications, and the AACR Foundation to highlight participant success stories and drive program participation.
  • Improve communication metrics such as open rates, click-through rates, and event conversions.

Qualifications
Education & Experience
  • A master's degree in a STEM field
  • 5-7 years of progressively responsible experience in professional development, adult learning, nonprofit or corporate training, or higher education, including program leadership and people management.
  • Experience working in scientific research or health-related environments strongly preferred.

Skills & Knowledge
  • Strong program, project, and budget management skills with the ability to prioritize across multiple initiatives.
  • Excellent organizational, communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills, especially attuned to audiences with global experience and interests.
  • Ability to manage multiple programs and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
  • Demonstrated ability to collaborate with diverse internal and external stakeholders.
  • Familiarity with the development and use of Learning Management Systems and virtual, on-demand training and in-person and virtual scientific meeting planning and management a plus.
  • Familiarity with data analytics and event/CRM platforms such as Open Water, Salesforce, Proposal Central, Lytho, CMS tools, and MS Office.

EOE

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