Executive Assistant, Chief Operating Officer - Remote

Tennessee Society of Association Executives; Washington (District of Columbia); Remote; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading organization in the events industry is seeking a Director of Strategic Learning Experiences to lead educational programming. This role involves strategic leadership, collaboration across departments, and innovative program delivery to enhance professional development. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in managing educational events and a passion for fostering learning opportunities. Join a dynamic team dedicated to supporting professional growth and industry impact.

Benefits

Employee Paid Health Coverage

Financial Wellness Programs

Flexible Work Environment

Generous Time Off

Continuous Learning Opportunities

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience leading educational programming for conferences.
• Proven track record overseeing multi-day event programming.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategy and delivery of educational programming across events.
• Manage all aspects of the Call for Speakers process.
• Evaluate program success through attendee feedback and data.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Collaboration

Project Management

Facilitation

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Tools

Cvent

Job description

Position Summary

The Director of Strategic Learning Experiences plays a vital role within Destinations International’s Professional Development team, leading the design, strategy, and delivery of educational programming across all Destinations International events. This position ensures that programming is aligned with DI’s mission, learning objectives, and member value, while proactively innovating to meet evolving learning needs. By fostering strong collaboration across departments, the Director of Strategic Learning Experiences ensures that educational offerings are consistent with organizational strategy, responsive to industry trends, seamlessly executed, strategically repurposed, and consistently enhanced. Through thoughtful leadership, strategic vision, and operational excellence, this role elevates Destinations International’s impact on its members’ professional growth and the broader industry community.

Strategic Leadership & Program Overview

• Lead the strategy, structure, and delivery of DI’s educational programming across the Annual Convention and Summits, ensuring offerings are timely, relevant, and aligned with DI’s mission, member value proposition, and professional development goals.
• Partner with the Director of Content to ensure session planning and speaker execution support DI’s broader learning and development strategy, creating a cohesive and future-focused experience across all platforms.
• Serve as a key thought partner within the Professional Development team, advancing DI’s programming goals, driving innovation, and ensuring consistency across all educational initiatives.
• Ensure that programming is designed for strategic reuse across DI’s events, virtual offerings, and year-round professional development initiatives.
• Continuously explore innovative learning formats and delivery methods to ensure programming meets the evolving needs and learning preferences of DI’s diverse event audiences.
• Manage learning experience budgets, including speaker-related expenses and other associated costs, ensuring accurate forecasting, responsible stewardship, and support of high-quality educational programming.

Programming & Speaker Management

• Manage all Call for Speakers process aspects, including external vendor coordination, proposal evaluation, and speaker communications.
• Coordinate speaker outreach, contracting, preparation, and on-site logistics, ensuring each speaker experience reflects DI’s standards for quality and relevance.
• Collaborate with emcees, keynote speakers, and session presenters to align messaging and ensure familiarity with DI’s audience, tone, and event flow.
• Maintain accurate and organized records of speaker content and logistical needs, using Cvent and other tools to support smooth content planning and execution.
• Maintain an on-site presence at all DI-hosted events, managing speaker experiences, supporting programming logistics, and ensuring a high-quality attendee learning experience.
• Support internal staff who assist with onsite speaker management by offering clear expectations, tools, and briefings to ensure consistency in speaker experience and alignment with DI’s standards.

Program Development Committees & Volunteer Collaboration

• Serve as the staff liaison to the Professional Development Committee (PDC), leading meetings and guiding committee efforts to shape Annual Convention programming.
• Serve as the staff liaison to the CEO Summit Planning Committee, facilitating meetings, supporting leadership input, and ensuring that all voices are heard and reflected in program development.
• For DI Summits, as appropriate, convene and facilitate planning committees, partnering with internal subject matter experts and industry leaders to shape dynamic, mission-aligned educational experiences.
• Support the thoughtful integration of partner and thought leader contributions into educational programming while maintaining program integrity.

Program Delivery and Evaluation

• Categorize and organize speaker proposals by topic, summit, and theme to streamline committee review processes and support content strategy alignment.
• Review and edit program materials for accuracy and clarity, including session descriptions, signage, printed agendas, and websites.
• Evaluate program success through attendee feedback, participation data, and industry benchmarking, identifying opportunities for future improvement.
• Drive innovation in event-based learning experiences by integrating formats and technologies that elevate the attendee learning experience, improve accessibility, and support strong knowledge retention across DI events.
• Incorporate principles of sustainability and organizational stewardship into learning experience planning, taking into account environmental impact, resource use, and long-term value for attendees and partners.

Professional Development Departmental Collaboration

• Collaborate closely with the Director of Content and other internal learning leaders to ensure programming aligns with DI’s overall learning strategy, educational objectives, and content roadmap.
• Contribute to the design and execution of event programming that directly supports and advances DI’s broader professional development initiatives and strategic learning goals.
• Maintain strong, proactive communication with internal stakeholders to ensure programming reflects organizational priorities, promotes member value, and fosters a unified, high-impact learning experience across all offerings.

Meeting & Events Collaboration

• Partner closely with the Meetings & Events team to ensure seamless execution of programming, including speaker logistics, room setup, AV needs, scheduling, and overall event flow.
• Coordinate regularly with Meetings & Events on event timelines, speaker travel arrangements, production needs, and on-site logistics to ensure alignment between programming and attendee experience.
• Maintain open and proactive communication to troubleshoot issues, share key updates, and collaborate on solutions that enhance both learning outcomes and event operations.
• Serve as a primary point of contact for programming-related needs while ensuring that Meetings & Events has the information required for successful onsite delivery.
• Foster a collaborative, solutions-oriented relationship with Meetings & Events to deliver a cohesive, high-quality experience across all DI-hosted events.
• Actively participate in weekly Meetings & Events team calls to ensure ongoing coordination, surface planning needs, and align on speaker and program logistics

Cross-Departmental Collaboration

• Partner with the Marketing and Communications team to promote educational offerings, support session material development, and use attendee feedback and engagement data to inform future programming.
• Collaborate with the Partnership team to integrate sponsor and partner contributions into programming in a way that enhances the educational experience while maintaining program standards.
• Work closely with the Finance team to manage programming budgets, ensure accurate forecasting, and uphold responsible financial stewardship across all programming-related expenditures.
• Foster a collaborative, solutions-oriented relationship across departments to deliver cohesive, high-quality educational experiences throughout all DI-hosted events.
• Collaborate with the Business Intelligence team to evaluate and evolve event education based on post-event survey feedback and the annual professional development survey.
• Partner with the Social Impact team to ensure that educational formats are inclusive, accessible, and responsive to the diverse needs of DI’s members and communities.
• Coordinate with internal departments to identify educational needs and incorporate sessions that promote DI's tools, global initiatives, and other key organizational resources.

Experience Desired

• 7+ years of experience leading educational programming for conferences, summits, or other professional events.
• Proven track record overseeing multi-day event programming, including speaker engagement and session design.
• Experience working in a trade or professional association, nonprofit, or member-driven organization with a strong focus on professional development.
• Demonstrated success serving as a staff liaison to volunteer committees or planning groups, including leading meetings and guiding collaborative decision-making.
• Familiarity with using post-event data and feedback to evaluate success and shape future learning strategies.

Skills Desired

• Expertise in developing and delivering engaging learning experiences tailored to diverse audiences.
• Strong speaker coordination skills—from outreach and contracting to on-site support and relationship management.
• Skilled facilitator, capable of guiding volunteer leaders, industry partners, and internal teams in program planning.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication, including session descriptions, speaker materials, and internal briefings.
• Proficient in project and workflow management, balancing big-picture strategy with attention to detail.
• Ability to assess and evolve educational programming using survey data, participant feedback, and industry benchmarks.
• Experienced with tools such as Cvent or other event platforms to support logistics and programming organization.
• Collaborative mindset, with the ability to work cross-functionally in a remote-first environment.

Culture Fit & Values

As a member of the DI team, you must thrive in a remote-first work environment and be open to travel as needed for business-related events. You understand your critical role in maintaining our welcoming atmosphere while remaining authentically yourself and valuing collaboration at every level of the organization. You must be committed to continuous cultural improvement, fostering positivity, respecting and trusting others, and demonstrating a strong drive for success.

Our Benefits

We take great pride in offering a benefits package that reflects how much we value our team. Our total investment package is thoughtfully designed to promote well-being, foster growth, and provide flexibility to balance professional and personal life. We offer:

• Employee Paid Health Coverage: Ensuring you and your loved ones are well cared for.
• Financial Wellness Programs: Including retirement plans with employer contributions to secure your future.
• Flexible Work Environment: Embracing a remote-first approach with the necessary tools and support.
• Generous Time Off: Recognizing the importance of rest and rejuvenation .
• Continuous Learning Opportunities: Encouraging professional development and growth.

We view our total investment package as more than just perks—it’s a reflection of our commitment to supporting our team as people, not just employees.