Manager, Certification Program Initiatives

API - American Petroleum Institute; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

API - American Petroleum Institute in DC seeks a Project Business Manager for Individual Certification Programs (ICP) to drive operational excellence and strategic partnerships with the Director. You will help shape the long-term ICP vision, manage cross-functional initiatives, oversee technology platforms, and support certification program delivery, including examinations, events, and related initiatives.

The role emphasizes budgeting, performance tracking, and governance across programs;

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Project Management, Education, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• 5–7 years of experience in a similar role and subject matter expertise.
• 3+ years’ experience in program management, project coordination, or operations—experience with certification or credentialing programs preferred.
• Demonstrated experience supporting senior leadership and managing cross-functional initiatives.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Familiarity with budgeting processes and basic financial analysis.
• Strong project management skills; able to manage multiple concurrent projects and deadlines.
• Detail-oriented with strong organizational and documentation skills.

Responsibilities

• Support program launches, committee work, and Inspection and Mechanical Integrity Summit (IMIS) operations.
• Coordinate and support the GIS Growth Strategy and related expansion initiatives.
• Track departmental goals, initiatives, and key performance indicators.
• Partner with the Director to support end-to-end program launch activities, coordinating planning and execution for new programs and ensuring alignment with existing certifications.
• Coordinate with senior stakeholders and other internal partners to align priorities and deliverables.
• Provide program and administrative support for the biennial IMIS; assist with milestone tracking, stakeholder communication, and logistics oversight with API Meetings Team.
• Support the Director throughout the full budget cycle, including budget development, financial analysis, forecasting, monitoring, and reporting.
• Track program expenditures, assist with forecasting, and support financial reporting for certification programs.
• Coordinate budget activities and contract renewals.
• Coordinate ICP technology initiatives, line-of-business systems, exam scheduling, and credentialing platform administration.
• Assist the Director in overseeing certification-related technology platforms and business systems.
• Manage ICP portal development activities and coordinate with vendors, developers, and stakeholders.
• Track system enhancements, bug resolution, testing activities, and implementation schedules.
• Gather and document business requirements and support process improvement initiatives.
• Manage and maintain exam scheduling across programs
• Oversee and maintain the Accredible platform, ensuring data integrity, certification issuance.
• Ensure compliance with accreditation requirements
• Coordinate exam logistics and stakeholder communication

Skills

Analytical skills

Cross-functional coordination

Budgeting

Communication

Project management

MS Office

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Project Management, Education, or related field

Tools

MS Project

Asana

Jira

Job description

The Project Business Manager, Individual Certification Programs (ICP), serves as a key operational and strategic partner to the Director of Individual Certification Programs. This position contributes to the development of the long-term strategic vision for ICP and supports the planning, execution, and continuous improvement of certification programs by managing projects, coordinating cross-functional initiatives, overseeing technology and process improvements, and providing analytical and administrative support to advance departmental goals.

Working closely with the Director, the Project Business Manager helps drive program growth, ensure operational effectiveness, maintain accreditation standards, manage budgets and business processes, and support the successful delivery of certification programs, examinations, events, and technology initiatives.

Duties/Responsibilities

Program & Strategic Coordination

Support program launches, committee work, and Inspection and Mechanical Integrity Summit (IMIS) operations

• Partner with the Director of Individual Certification Programs to develop and implement strategic initiatives that support program growth and organizational objectives.
• Coordinate and support the GIS Growth Strategy and related expansion initiatives.
• Track departmental goals, initiatives, and key performance indicators.
• Partner with the Director to support end-to-end program launch activities, coordinating planning and execution for new programs and ensuring alignment with existing certifications.
• Coordinate with senior stakeholders and other internal partners to align priorities and deliverables.
• Provide program and administrative support for the biennial IMIS. Assist the Director in managing summit planning activities, including milestone tracking, stakeholder communication, and logistics oversight in collaboration with the API Meetings Team.

Financial & Budget Support

Support the Director throughout the full budget cycle, including budget development, financial analysis, forecasting, monitoring, and reporting.

• Support budget analysis activities and contribute to the budget development and input/analysis process.
• Track program expenditures, assist with forecasting, and support financial reporting for certification programs.
• Coordinate budget activities and contract renewals.

Technology and Platform Oversight

Coordinate ICP technology initiatives, line-of-business systems, exam scheduling, and credentialing platform administration.

• Assist the Director in overseeing certification-related technology platforms and business systems.
• Manage ICP portal development activities and coordinate with vendors, developers, and stakeholders.
• Track system enhancements, bug resolution, testing activities, and implementation schedules.
• Gather and document business requirements and support process improvement initiatives.
• Manage and maintain exam scheduling across programs
• Oversee and maintain the Accredible platform, ensuring data integrity, certification issuance.
• Ensure compliance with accreditation requirements
• Coordinate exam logistics and stakeholder communication

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Project Management, Education, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• The job requires 5-7 years of experience in a similar role and subject matter expertise.
• 3+ years’ experience in program management, project coordination, or operations—experience with certification or credentialing programs preferred.
• Demonstrated experience supporting senior leadership and managing cross-functional initiatives.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Familiarity with budgeting processes and basic financial analysis.
• Strong project management skills; able to manage multiple concurrent projects and deadlines.
• Detail-oriented with strong organizational and documentation skills.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office suite; experience with project management tools (e.g., MS Project, Asana, Jira) and reporting tools.
• Analytical mindset with ability to produce clear, actionable reports.
• Collaborative, flexible, and able to work independently with minimal supervision.

Preferred

• Experience in certification, credentialing, accreditation, professional association, or educational environments.
• Prior experience coordinating committees, volunteers, or subject-matter experts.
• Understanding of accreditation standards or regulatory requirements for certification programs.

Physical Requirements

• Able to remain in a stationary position working on a computer
• Move about the office to access office machinery, meeting rooms, etc. on occasion
• Operate a computer and other office machinery such as printers and copy machines
• Transport items and equipment up to 10 lbs. on occasion

Travel Requirements

• Up to 25%

Percentage of travel time expected for the position, where the travel occurs, such as locally or in specific countries or states, and whether the travel is overnight.

This job outline describes the typical accountabilities and requirements of the position and should not be construed as anall-encompassingdescription of every duty performed by or expected of the incumbent.

EEO Statement

API is an equal opportunity employer. We are dedicated to creating and sustaining a diverse and inclusive workplace. All aspects of employment will be based on merit, competence, performance, and business needs. Our success in maintaining a reputation for professional excellence depends on selecting the best qualified candidates. Achieving this objective means that no employee or applicant for employment will be discriminated against because of race, color, religion, age, gender expression or identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy (including childbirth, related medical conditions, breastfeeding, and reproductive health decisions), genetic information, national origin, disability, marital status, personal appearance, family responsibilities, political affiliation, matriculation, credit information, the status as a victim or family member of a victim of domestic violence, stalking or sexual offense, or any prohibited basis under federal, state or local law.

APIis committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. If you require reasonable accommodation in completing this application, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to the Human Resources Department via email [e-mail].

This salary range is DC based and may be adjusted accordingly based on the candidate's geographic location. Candidates are typically hired at a point in the salary range based on prior experience, education, and market demand for the role; candidates are also compared internally to their peers.

API offers a comprehensive benefits package for our employees and their families. More information about our benefits may be found at api.org/about/careers/benefits.