Professional Development Director Jobs in Chicago, IL

Join a World-Class Organization Making a Global Impact

Founded in 1927, MDRT (Million Dollar Round Table), The Premier Association of Financial Professionals®, is a global, independent association representing the world’s leading life insurance and financial services professionals. With members from more than 80 nations and territories and nearly 700 companies, MDRT is internationally recognized as the standard of excellence in the financial services profession.

We foster a collaborative, inclusive, and innovative work environment where employees are encouraged to grow professionally and contribute meaningfully to our continued success.

We offer a comprehensive benefits package, including fully paid medical coverage for employees, 70% employer‑paid medical coverage for dependents, fully paid dental and vision insurance for employees and dependents, educational assistance, a 401(k) matching program, and a defined benefit pension plan.

Professional Development Director – Senior leader within the Education Division reporting to the Senior Director of Education. This role provides strategic direction, leadership, and oversight for the development, design, and delivery of all educational programming for the organization’s live events. The director ensures alignment with organizational priorities, manages departmental operations, and serves as the primary staff liaison to the Executive Committee liaisons of the Program Development Committees.

Location requirement: Position is required to be in our Park Ridge, IL office on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

• Provide strategic leadership for all phases of educational program development, including needs assessments, content strategy, program design, speaker strategy, and evaluation processes.
• Direct the development and delivery of a comprehensive portfolio of educational programs across multiple modalities, including live events, committee‑led initiatives, and other in‑person learning experiences.
• Oversee departmental planning and operations, including budgeting, resource allocation, workflow management, and staff supervision to ensure high‑quality, timely, and cost‑effective program execution.
• Oversee the global content strategy for live meetings, ensuring educational offerings are relevant, innovative, and aligned with organizational goals while reflecting diverse regional needs, cultural perspectives, and multilingual audiences.
• Establish and maintain high‑level partnerships with volunteer leaders, serving as a trusted advisor and effective liaison to the Executive Committee liaisons. Guide committee discussions, ensure alignment with strategic priorities, and translate decisions into actionable program plans.
• Oversee all speaker‑related operations, including selection processes, contracting, onboarding, and onsite management, ensuring seamless speaker experience and consistent program quality.
• Provide executive‑level oversight of communications and reporting related to educational programming, ensuring transparency, accuracy, and alignment across internal and external stakeholders including Executive Committee and Joint Executive Staff.
• Collaborate closely with the Meeting Services Department to ensure educational program requirements, speaker needs, and production considerations are fully integrated into event planning and execution.
• Ensure effective management of all live events, including program development, speaker logistics, and onsite content quality, recognizing that the organization operates without a production company and relies on internal leadership.
• Drive continuous improvement, identify opportunities to evolve formats, incorporate adult learning principles, and introduce innovative approaches to enhance the attendee experience.

• Demonstrated leadership experience with the ability to inspire, mentor, and develop staff while fostering strong cross‑departmental relationships.
• Strong strategic thinking skills with the ability to translate organizational goals into actionable professional development initiatives.
• Advanced negotiation skills, including experience managing speaker contracts and vendor partnerships.
• Exceptional communication skills, including the ability to craft clear and compelling presentations, reports, and strategic recommendations for executive leadership and volunteer committees.
• Deep understanding of adult learning theory, program design, and contemporary educational delivery methods.
• Proven ability to lead complex projects, manage multiple programs simultaneously, and deliver high‑quality results under tight deadlines.
• Highly organized, detail‑oriented, and proactive, with a strong commitment to operational excellence and continuous improvement.
• Familiarity with marketing principles and the ability to collaborate effectively with marketing partners to support program promotion and engagement.

Please send cover letter and resume to hr@mdrt.org.