Professional Development Assistant Jobs in Washington, DC

Location: Hybrid — DMV Corridor (2 days onsite requirements in Alexandria, VA)

Reports To: CEO

Employment Type: Full-Time / Permanent

The Associate Director, Professional Development provides strategic and operational leadership for SOPHE’s educational portfolio that aligns with the 2030 Strategic Priorities. Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, the Associate Director serves as the primary professional development lead for SOPHE’s signature events, including the annual conference and advocacy summit, online learning, and educational awards.

Provide leadership for the live education programming of SOPHE’s signature events, including the SOPHE Annual Conference and Advocacy Summit.

• Lead the conference and summit program development and peer review process for the SOPHE Annual Conference and Advocacy Summit, in partnership with the Annual Conference Education Committee, Advocacy Committee, leadership, and staff.
• In collaboration with the Chief Executive Officer, determine the signature events’ delivery and ensure the signature events meet financial goals.
• Oversee the call for abstracts process. Ensure there is an objective and quality review.
• Manage the session selection workflows (scoring, review, session assignments, and scheduling) in alignment with program objectives and policies.
• Assist in session selection meetings when the annual conference committee makes the session selection assignments.
• Ensure that the coordinator builds registration for signature events.
• Oversee vendors to include, but not limited to A/V providers, general service contractors, poster boards, signage, etc., in order to execute signature events within budget.
• Manage logistics, contractors, volunteers, and staffing for signature events.
• Oversee exhibitors and sponsors, g. exhibit floor plan; coordination with shipping company/hotel to deliver exhibit materials; sponsorship fulfillment according to agreements.
• Oversee the planning of affiliate events during the signature events.
• Collaborate with marketing and communications team to promote the signature events.
• Based on meeting evaluations, recommend future professional
• Oversee site selection process to include, initiate the site selection committee, solicit and review site recommendations for future conferences, conduct future location site visits, and work with meeting contractors and CEO to negotiate and confirm all facilities’ and support service

• Conduct needs assessments and oversee the development of new education content.
• Collaborate with the Professional Development Committee to provide a variety of online education in a variety of modalities, e.g. virtual conferences, webinars, journal self-studies, resources, etc. based on the needs assessments.
• Work with committee members and subject matter experts (SMEs) to build objectives, content development, and moving into production for delivery.
• Evaluate educational programs. Analyze data from SOPHE surveys, chapter surveys, and professional development activity evaluations to determine learners’
• Develop and manage budget. Identify and implement revenue streams and sponsorship opportunities.
• Collaborate with marketing and communications team to promote educational offerings.
• Collaborate with membership team to retain and engage members.
• Manage coordinator and ensure that CE reporting is conducted on time.
• Manage CE application and review process, including CE pilot testing if required.
• Streamline workflow, encourage innovation, and deliver quality educational products.

• Ensure chapters are conducting and hosting professional development events and/or online learning.
• Provide a forum for chapters to have support as they plan and implement their educational offerings.
• Ensure that chapter continuing education credit process is seamless and credits are processed in a timely manner.
• Attend House of Delegates meetings, as needed.

• Responsible for the strategic oversight and operational management of awards, fellowships, and other recognition programs.
  • Oversee the application and review process for awards, fellowships, scholarship, and other recognition programs.
  • Facilitate the review and decision-making process for awards and fellowships, ensuring fairness, transparency, and consistency.
  • Conduct a Call for Volunteers and serve as staff liaison to the awards committee.
  • Ensure that award recipients are recognized during the annual conference and summit.
  • Oversee that the logistical aspects are being met for awards recognition.
  • Ensure timely execution of all processes, including deadlines, notifications, and payment distribution.
  • Manage the annual budget for award and fellowship programs, including tracking expenses and financial allocations.

• Supervise a part-time coordinator.
• Provide learning opportunities for interns and train them on projects.

• Bachelor’s degree, preferably with at least five years of experience.
• Certified Association Executive (CAE) designation and/or CHES® certification preferred
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and good writing skills.
• Demonstrated strong organizational and problem-solving skills to manage and track several projects simultaneously.
• Experience with association education, webinar production, project management, volunteer management, event planning.
• Experiencing managing an association management system (AMS) and learning management system (LMS). Knowledge of Cannolai AMS and Elevate LMS is a plus.
• Ability to work independently as well as be a good team player.
• Prior association and/or non‑profit experience is a plus.
• Business travel as required, approximately 5%.