Position Description

 

Job Title:        Professional Development Director

 

Division:         Member Services

 

Reports to:    Senior Director for Meetings and Professional Development

 

Supervises:   N/A

 

Status/Grade: 6E

 

Incumbent:    Vacant

 

Date:               June 22, 2009

 

 

Summary of Position

                                                                                                                                      

The focus of the American Dental Education Association’s professional development initiative is to develop academicians and academic leaders for dental education, foster excellence and innovation in teaching and administration, and support the ongoing professional development of key member groups  The primary customers for ADEA’s work in this area is the leadership of dental education institutions including, dental school deans, allied dental program directors and advanced dental education program directors.  ADEA will engage a variety of stakeholders in professional development efforts; however, the design of these efforts must meet the needs of the institutional leadership.

 

The Professional Development Director, a significant contributor to ADEA’s professional development initiative, works closely with the Senior Director for Meetings and Professional Development to develop integrated curricula and programs that enhance the professional expertise of ADEA members.  The Professional Development Director enhances the reach of ADEA’s existing professional development programs, services, and products, while developing plans for and leading the implementation of new professional development opportunities.

 

Primary Responsibilities

 

Duties include:

·         working with the Senior Director for Meetings and Professional Development to develop and implement professional development plans

·         managing the evaluation process for professional development programs, including assessment and reporting

·         identifying trends and analyzing feedback from all professional development activities, and ensuring recommended improvements are applied to future activities

·         writing and submitting reports, both internal and for publication, related to the delivery of ADEA’s professional development programs, services, and products

·         participating in the development and implementation of marketing strategy for ADEA professional development opportunities

·         assisting ADEA staff in promoting the value of ADEA professional development opportunities

·         attending professional development events and providing expertise to presenters, trainers, and instructors

·         identifying subject matter experts and facilitating meetings with internal and external subject matter experts, committees, volunteers, and others in the pursuit of planning and developing ADEA’s professional development programs

·         working with ADEA staff to develop program structure, agendas, and timelines

·         working with ADEA staff and volunteer leaders to manage program submission, review, and selection, as well as speaker selection, for the ADEA Annual Session

·         managing the accreditation process for all educational activities, including calculating continuing education credits, obtaining and editing learning objectives, providing certificates of participation, and ensuring proper records are maintained per ADA CERP guidelines

 

Qualifications Required

 

The person in this position must have a track record of success in developing professional education programs and curricula, preferably in the health professions or higher education milieu. S/He must have extensive expertise in developing curricula for adult learners and be knowledgeable about the latest methodology and practical application of theories for developing programming for adult learning, continuing education, and professional development.

 

The person in this position must be adept at pulling together working groups of volunteers, subject matter experts, and staff to analyze data and needs for professional development enterprises. S/He must be able to identify new techniques and technologies that will enhance learning outcomes. S/He must show evidence of editorial skill and precision in organizing and presenting information effectively.

 

Solid technology skills with Microsoft Office, database management, web content authoring, online learning, and abstract management systems experience are required.  

 

This position requires a person who is self-motivated, confident, energetic, and acutely attentive to details.  The successful candidate will possess excellent judgment, strong oral and written communication abilities, exceptional organizational skills, impeccable evaluation and reporting skills, and a polished demeanor.

 

A master’s in education, curriculum development, extended learning, or organizational and human development is preferred. This position requires knowledge typically acquired through a minimum of five to seven years of experience in adult learning curriculum development or program development, preferably in professional education at an educational or health care association. A person with a bachelor’s degree in related field with superior experience in curriculum development, program development, and adult learning may also be considered. 

 

In addition, the person who holds this position must:

§  Demonstrate skills in program design, development, implementation and evaluation.

§  Demonstrate organizational skills, including management of multiple priorities and attention to detail.

§  Demonstrate ability to facilitate relationships and work successfully with others to achieve common objectives, as well as to also work independently with minimal supervision and be self-directed.

§  Convey strong analytical and critical thinking skills in order to assess situations, solve problems, and make decisions quickly, proactively, and with sound, rational judgment.

§  Be able to interface with internal and external customers with a high degree of professionalism and a service orientation.

§  Possess the ability to work well when faced with stressful situations.

§  Possess excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.

§  Travel (less than 25%), often over weekends, to administer and/or attend meetings or to oversee seminars, workshops, and conferences. 

 

Performance will be appraised in part on the basis of personal initiative demonstrated and positive results achieved.