Director of Education

DescriptionJob titleDirector of EducationReports toChief Operating OfficerAnnual Salary$100,000-$115,000Job PurposeThe Director of Education provides strategic leadership and executive oversight of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons’ (AANS) education portfolio. This includes guiding the vision, development, and delivery of innovative, high-quality educational programs that promote neurosurgical knowledge and professional development across all career stages.The Director oversees all operations of the Education Department, including the Annual Scientific Meeting, Spine Section Meeting, online learning, and regional live courses. This role ensures compliance with CME accreditation standards, manages key education programs such as the APP portfolio and Neurosurgical Coding & Reimbursement, and contributes to cross-organizational initiatives across AANS, the Neurosurgery Research & Education Foundation (NREF), and the NeuroPoint Alliance (NPA). This is a hybrid position, requiring a minimum of two in-office days per week.Essential FunctionsDrives the expansion and diversification of AANS’s educational offerings and resources to meet the evolving needs of members and respond to trends in the neurosurgery field, ensuring programs remain relevant, accessible, and aligned with both professional practice and marketplace developments.Provides strategic leadership and alignment of CME accreditation and compliance with AANS’s educational mission and priorities, guiding policy, resource decisions, and partnerships to uphold the organization’s standards of educational quality and integrity..Manages and guides the Education Department, supervising three (3) direct reports, to ensure seamless coordination and high-quality execution of educational programs across online learning, live courses, and the Annual Scientific Meeting. Promotes a collaborative, accountable, and growth-oriented team environment..Partners with staff, physician leaders, and cross-departmental teams to direct the planning and execution of educational programming for the Annual Scientific Meeting and Spine Section Meeting, ensuring program excellence, consistency, and alignment with AANS’s strategic priorities..Oversees the development, advancement, and continuous improvement of the Advanced Practice Provider (APP) education portfolio and the Neurosurgical Coding and Reimbursement program, ensuring both remain current, relevant, and aligned with evolving neurosurgical practice standards and quality reporting requirements..Leads the strategic direction and advancement of AANS’s LMS platform and e-learning portfolio to optimize the learner experience, expand educational reach, and drive continuous innovation and program improvement..Directs the planning and oversight of program budgets, ensuring fiscal responsibility and achievement of revenue and expense objectives. Analyzes performance data to inform decision-making, drive operational efficiencies, and enhance the overall effectiveness of educational programs..Collaborates with cross-departmental leaders in Marketing, Meetings, Industry Relations, Finance, and the Journal of Neurosurgery to ensure cohesive alignment, effective communication, and integrated execution of educational strategies and promotional initiatives that advance AANS’s mission and goals..Oversees and partners with education-related committees—including the Education Committee, CME Subcommittee, APP Subcommittee, and Practice Management Committee—to ensure effective governance, strategic alignment, clear communication, and timely execution of committee initiatives and action items..Performs other duties as assigned to support the mission, vision, and strategic priorities of AANS and its affiliated organizations, contributing to organizational goals and strategic initiatives..QualificationsBachelor’s degree required, Master’s degree in Education, Healthcare Administration, or related field preferred.Minimum of 8–10 years of progressive experience in educational program management, preferably within a medical association or continuing education environment. Prior association experience is strongly preferred.Proven experience managing CME-accredited programs with a thorough understanding of ACCME Standards and compliance requirements.Supervisory experience with a demonstrated ability to lead and develop professional staff.Strong understanding of adult learning principles, instructional design, and competency-based education.Exceptional organizational and project management skills, with the ability to coordinate workflow, set priorities, manage budgets, meet deadlines, and balance multiple projects simultaneously.Excellent interpersonal, communication, and leadership abilities to collaborate effectively with physician volunteers, staff, and external partners.Proficiency with learning management systems (LMS) and educational technologies.Excellent written, oral and interpersonal communication skills with the proven ability to prepare quality documentation.Proficient in Microsoft Office, specifically Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint required. Experience with abstract management software is preferred. Commitment to advancing the mission and values of AANS through innovative and compliant educational offerings.Required travel to the AANS Annual Scientific Meeting, committee meetings, and live courses, occasional evening and weekend work.Working ConditionsThis position operates in a hybrid, professional office environment that relies on digital communication and collaboration tools. The role regularly uses computers, video conferencing platforms, and standard office equipment.Physical RequirementsThe physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.This is a largely sedentary role. Some filing is required. This would require the ability to lift files, open filing cabinets and bend or stand as necessary. However, this position requires light work. Exerting up to 20 pounds of force and movement while traveling.Travel required, up to 15% annually.Other DutiesPerforms other job-related duties, as assigned by management. Please note this job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, or skills required. Duties may change at any time based on organizational needs.