Senior Director, Education & Learning Strategy

Position Summary

The Senior Director of Education & Learning Strategy is responsible for shaping and executing the American Burn Association’s vision for high-impact, evidence-based, and comprehensive education, both accredited and non-accredited, across the full continuum of multidisciplinary burn care.

This strategic leader oversees the direction, innovation, and operational excellence of ABA’s core educational portfolio, including but not limited to:

1. The annual meeting Scientific and Professional Development program
2. Advanced Burn Life Support (ABLS) and related training initiatives
3. Educational resources supporting the ABA Verification Program
4. LMS-based OnDemand and microlearning content
5. Certification of Burn Nurses (CBRN) review materials
6. Curriculum for ABA Burn Fellows and other specialized learner pathways
7. Industry-sponsored education and training programs

In partnership with internal staff and external collaborators, the Senior Director leads the design, development, and delivery of educational programs and credentialing opportunities tailored to diverse learner audiences. This includes ensuring alignment with ABA’s strategic priorities and compliance with accreditation standards such as ACCME, ANCC, and other certifying bodies.

A key responsibility for the role is the implementation of annual outcome assessments to evaluate the reach, effectiveness, and impact of ABA’s educational offerings, providing data to inform continuous improvement and long-term planning.

The Senior Director works closely with volunteer leaders, faculty, and strategic partners to guide content development while mentoring ABA’s education team. This role requires both visionary leadership and a hands-on approach to advancing the educational mission of the ABA and delivering measurable value to the burn care community.

Key Responsibilities

Provide strategic leadership.

Design and execute ongoing innovation of the ABA’s comprehensive educational portfolio, ensuring alignment with the Association’s mission, strategic pillars, and evolving priorities. Balance direct oversight of high-priority initiatives with effective delegation to education staff, providing guidance and support as needed.

Direct and oversee key program areas , including:

• Annual Meeting : Provide oversight and strategic input into the planning and delivery of all scientific sessions, professional development tracks, CME/CE activities, and faculty engagement. Collaborate with staff and volunteer leaders to ensure a high-quality, multidisciplinary learning experience. Attend and assist in running events through staff management and live event logistics.
• Advanced Burn Life Support (ABLS) : Lead modernization and evolution of the ABLS program, including hybrid delivery formats, international adaptation, and incorporation of trauma-informed care principles. Take a hands-on role in strategic redesign efforts while supporting staff in day-to-day implementation.
• Verification-Supportive Resources : Guide the creation and continual refinement of tools and educational materials that support ABA’s verification process, including policy templates, readiness checklists, mock case reviews, surveyor training modules, and continuing education offerings. Delegate content development and delivery coordination as appropriate.
• LMS-Based On-Demand Content: Expand ABA’s online learning ecosystem through the development of engaging, mobile-responsive formats, including webinars, flipped classrooms, virtual simulation, and microlearning modules. Take direct ownership of select high-impact initiatives while mentoring staff in content production, instructional design, and learner engagement strategies.
• ABA Burn Fellows Curriculum : Champion the development and delivery of a structured curriculum for early-career burn professionals, ensuring consistency in foundational knowledge and clinical competencies. Engage directly in curriculum design while coordinating implementation through internal and external collaborators.
• Special Programs : Oversee targeted educational initiatives, including the Certification of Burn Registered Nurses (CBRN) review program, disaster/mass casualty readiness training, rehabilitation-focused content, and industry-sponsored education.

Curriculum Development & Educational Innovation

• Design, implement, and evaluate a comprehensive, learner-centered education strategy grounded in evidence-based practices and inclusive of multidisciplinary perspectives.
• Collaborate with committees, faculty, and partner organizations to develop, refine, and sunset educational content across the continuum of burn care.
• Ensure all offerings reflect current clinical guidelines, equity-focused teaching, and innovations in adult learning and health education.

Accreditation & Compliance

• Serve as ABA’s lead for all continuing education accreditation activities, ensuring compliance with standards and policies from:

• ACCME (for physician CME)
• ANCC/state boards (for nursing CE)
• Additional entities as applicable

• Oversee the lifecycle of accreditation documentation, activity tracking, learner evaluations, and outcome reporting, inclusive of annual ACCME PARS data entry and ABA program review.

Stakeholder Engagement & Collaboration

• Serve as the primary staff liaison to the Education Committee and collaborate closely with other ABA committees, workgroups, and advisory bodies to ensure alignment between strategic goals and educational initiatives.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with burn centers, hospitals, academic institutions, professional societies, survivor organizations, and industry sponsors to expand the reach and relevance of ABA’s educational programs.
• Represent ABA’s education strategy and priorities in external partnerships, grant proposals, and national or international collaborations that advance multidisciplinary burn care education.
• Contribute thought leadership through presentations, publications, and speaking engagements that highlight the impact, innovation, and outcomes of ABA’s educational work.

Staff Leadership & Operational Execution

• Take ownership of high-priority, mission-aligned initiatives while thoughtfully delegating operational responsibilities to empower team members and ensure efficient execution.
• Supervise and mentor ABA’s education team, promoting excellence in content development, instructional design, project execution, and service delivery.
• Foster a high-performing culture that values agility, collaboration, and measurable impact.
• Provide hands-on support for complex or high-priority projects when needed, ensuring deadlines and goals are met with excellence.

Outcomes & Impact Assessment

• Lead the development and execution of comprehensive annual outcome assessments to evaluate the effectiveness, reach, and return on investment (ROI) of ABA’s educational initiatives.
• Leverage performance metrics, learner engagement data, benchmarking, and qualitative feedback to guide continuous improvement and ensure alignment with ABA’s strategic goals.
• Oversee the education program budget, including development, monthly variance analysis, and proactive adjustments to ensure fiscal responsibility and alignment with projected goals.
• Translate assessment findings into actionable insights that inform future curriculum development, accreditation strategies, and stakeholder engagement.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree required ; preferred fields include education, nonprofit management, healthcare, business, or a related discipline. A combination of relevant education and progressive experience will be considered in lieu of a specific degree.
• Minimum of 8 years of progressive experience in medical or health professional education, ideally within a healthcare association, academic institution, or continuing education environment.
• Demonstrated success in program development, curriculum design, and/or Learning Management System (LMS) implementation and oversight.
• Experience managing accredited and non-accredited education programs, with working knowledge of standards such as ACCME, ANCC, and other continuing education accrediting bodies.
• Proven ability to lead large-scale educational initiatives, including abstract and faculty management, speaker coordination, and collaboration with volunteer committees.
• Strong project management and organizational skills, with the ability to balance multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and adapt to changing needs.
• Effective and professional communicator with excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal skills, capable of developing high-quality correspondence, content, and presentations.
• Skilled at working within a multidisciplinary healthcare environment, with the ability to collaborate with committee members, faculty, and board leaders who serve as content experts and strategic thought leaders.
• Deeply mission-driven, with a demonstrated commitment to advancing professional development, clinical excellence, and equity in burn care through accessible and inclusive education.

Key Qualities

• Entrepreneurial and solutions-oriented : Proactively identifies opportunities, addresses challenges, and drives innovation in educational strategy and delivery.
• Collaborative and inclusive team player : Works effectively and respectfully across all levels of the organization, including close collaboration with ABA’s senior leadership team, both in-person and remote staff. Build trust and alignment across functions to advance shared goals.
• Strategic and detail-oriented : Balances long-term vision with day-to-day execution, ensuring high-quality programming that is mission-aligned, outcomes-focused, and operationally sound.
• Fiscally responsible and impact-driven : Demonstrates sound judgment in managing educational budgets and resources, balancing the need for revenue generation with the ABA’s commitment to accessible, high-value, member-driven education.
• Flexible and adaptable : Thrives in a dynamic environment with evolving priorities, multiple stakeholders, and the need for timely decision-making and course correction.
• Values-centered : Embodies the ABA’s core values of integrity, innovation, collaboration, and compassion in leadership, partnerships, and team development.

About the American Burn Association (ABA)

The American Burn Association (ABA) is the leading national nonprofit dedicated to improving the lives of everyone affected by burn injury. We are a dynamic, mission-driven organization that unites a broad, multidisciplinary community, including physicians, surgeons, nurses, rehabilitation specialists, researchers, mental health professionals, EMS personnel, firefighters, first responders, and burn survivors, across every part of the healthcare system.

Through education, research, advocacy, prevention, and burn disaster preparedness, the ABA works to advance evidence-based, equitable burn care and to support the professionals who deliver it. From developing national training programs and burn center verification standards to strengthening disaster response protocols and driving cross-sector collaboration, we are improving outcomes and readiness across the full continuum of burn care.

Headquartered in Chicago, IL, the ABA offers a collaborative, purpose-filled work environment where curiosity, compassion, and impact thrive. Whether working in person or remotely, our team is united by a shared commitment to serve a highly specialized field with extraordinary reach and to help shape the future of burn care through connection, innovation, and preparedness.

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