Education Director

American Planning Association; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 137,000 - 145,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Dental

Vision

Paid time off

Company holidays

Flexible work arrangements

Training

403b

Life insurance

Disability

Job summary

American Planning Association in Chicago (Loop) hybrid, with Tue & Thurs in office, seeks an Education Director to lead APA’s education and career development portfolio, shaping high-quality learning experiences for members and customers. This role connects content expertise with audience insights to deliver impactful programs.

The ideal candidate will have 7–10+ years in educational product development or related fields and 5–10 years in supervising teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Advanced degree preferred.
• 7–10+ years in educational product development, learning strategy, workforce development, or related field.
• 5–10 years of experience supervising teams.
• Proven success launching educational products, programs, subscriptions, certificates, or professional development offerings.
• Strong business acumen with market evaluation, business case development, and product performance management.
• Strong relationship builder with cross-functional collaboration.
• Data-informed mindset using customer insights, market research, and performance metrics.

Responsibilities

• Develop and evolve a comprehensive education and career development strategy aligned with APA’s mission and audience needs.
• Collaborate with APA’s Education Committee to advance offerings.
• Lead design and development of online and in-person career programming, content, learning products, upskilling, and professional development initiatives.
• Coordinate contributions from multiple teams and external subject matter experts.
• Ensure materials meet standards and voice across the organization.
• Grow educational offerings and explore partnerships and revenue opportunities.
• Manage budgets and resources.

Skills

Education product dev

Learning strategy

Workforce development

Professional education

Team leadership

Cross-functional collab

Data-driven decisions

Market research

Performance metrics

Strategic thinking

Budget management

Education

Bachelor's degree

Advanced degree

Job description

Chicago (Loop) hybrid, with Tues & Thrs in office

$137-145k base with benefits

www.planning.org

APA embraces diversity and equal opportunity in our employment practices. We are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. The more inclusive we are, the better our impact will be.

About the Role

The Education Director will lead the development and advancement of APA’s education and career development portfolio, shaping high-quality, relevant, and forward-looking educational programming that meets the evolving needs of members and customers. Working cross-departmentally, this role connects content expertise, audience insights, and delivery capabilities to create impactful learning experiences and career pathways.

What You’ll Bring

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred
• 7 to 10+ years of experience in educational product development, learning strategy, workforce development, professional education, or a related field
• 5 – 10 years of experience in supervising teams
• Demonstrated success developing and launching educational products, programs, subscriptions, certificates, or professional development offerings
• Strong business acumen with experience evaluating market opportunities, developing business cases, and managing product performance
• Strong relationship builder and collaborator with experience working in cross-functional teams
• Data-informed mindset with experience using customer insights, market research, and performance metrics to guide decisions
• Strategic thinker with the ability to balance mission impact, member value, and revenue generation
• Salary Range: The salary for this role will be based on the candidate’s skills, qualifications, and relevant experience. The expected pay for this role is $137,000-$145,000
• Bonus: This position is eligible for a performance-based bonus
• Benefits begin the 1st of the month after date of hire
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and their eligible dependents
• Paid Time Off, Company Holidays, Leave of Absence, Flexible Work Arrangements, Training
• Employee Assistance Program, 403b, Life, Accidental Death & Dismemberment, Disability

Critical Outcomes

• A clear education and career development strategy is established, implemented, and regularly advanced to support organizational priorities, member value, and long-term portfolio growth
• APA delivers a robust education and career development portfolio that equips planners across career stages with relevant, high-quality learning and professional growth opportunities
• Educational content and career programming are aligned across the organization, with clear coordination among content, career, and delivery teams that results in consistent, high-quality learning experiences
• Education and career initiatives are delivered on schedule and within available resources, with effective management of staff, budgets, partnerships, and project priorities that support sustainable execution and measurable organizational value

Key Responsibilities

• In collaboration with the CKFO and the CIO develop, implement, and evolve a comprehensive education and career development strategy aligned with the organization’s mission, content strategy, and audience needs
• Collaborate with APA’s Education Committee to continuously advance and evolve educational offerings
• Lead the design and development of online and in person career programming, educational content, learning products, upskilling and professional development initiatives
• Coordinate, collaborate, curate content contributions from multiple teams across the organization and external subject matter experts
• Ensure consistency, quality, and alignment of educational materials with organizational standards and voice
• Grow and evolve APA’s educational offerings and explore new opportunities for partnerships, and revenue-generating education and career products
• Manage budgets and resources effectively

Why Join Us?

Join APA at a pivotal time as we expand how planners learn, grow, and prepare for the future of the profession. As Education Director, you will have the opportunity to shape a high-impact education and career development portfolio that supports planners across career stages, advances member value, and contributes to meaningful community impact nationwide.

If you are a strategic, collaborative leader with demonstrated success developing and launching educational products, programs and revenue generation, we encourage you to apply.

The American Planning Association (APA), founded in 1978, exists to elevate and unite a diverse planning profession as it helps communities, their leaders, and residents anticipate and navigate change. We are currently looking for an Education Director to shape and advance APA’s education and career development portfolio.