Assistant Director, Professional Development

Overview

Reporting to the Director of Professional Development, the Assistant Director leads the design, execution, and continuous improvement of AACR’s professional development portfolio.

This role is responsible for delivering measurable, mission‑aligned outcomes through high‑impact programs that advance the careers of AACR members and employees across all career stages. The Assistant Director sets clear objectives, defines success metrics, and ensures that professional development initiatives—including workshops, mentoring programs, funding‑support resources, and learning communities—are inclusive, scalable, and aligned with AACR’s mission to prevent and cure cancer through education and workforce development.

The Professional Development Department supports the AACR mission by fostering the career advancement of cancer researchers at all stages through promoting professional growth through essential skill training, mentorship, and leadership development initiatives. The Assistant Director plays a key role in expanding the reach, quality, and strategic value of these offerings across both place‑based and digital environments.

Responsibilities

Program Design & Implementation

Deliver a high‑impact portfolio of professional development programs that meet member needs and advance AACR’s mission.

• Launch and manage new and existing workshops, mentoring programs, and webinars with measurable participation and satisfaction targets.
• Increase program engagement and reach across domestic and global AACR member communities.
• Integrate professional development components into major AACR initiatives through cross‑departmental collaboration.

Project & Budget Management

• Ensure efficient, cost‑effective, and scalable program operations.
• Support annual budget planning with accurate forecasting for staffing, materials, technology, and space.
• Maintain programs within approved budgets while optimizing vendor relationships and resource allocation.
• Implement operational improvements that reduce costs or increase program efficiency.

Team Leadership & Supervision

• Build and support a high‑performing professional development team.
• Recruit, mentor, and supervise staff and contractors to achieve defined performance goals.
• Strengthen onboarding, training, and professional growth pathways for team members.
• Resolve operational and personnel challenges to maintain a positive, productive team environment.

Strategy & Evaluation

• Establish and track strategic goals that improve program quality, inclusivity, and outcomes.
• Define annual objectives and measurable success indicators for professional development initiatives.
• Collect, analyze, and report on program data—including enrollment, participant feedback, and learning outcomes—to guide continuous improvement.
• Implement data‑driven adjustments that increase program effectiveness and participant satisfaction.

Stakeholder Engagement & Partnerships

• Expand AACR’s professional development ecosystem through strategic partnerships.
• Strengthen collaborations with academic institutions, cancer centers, professional societies, funders, and industry partners.
• Increase external sponsorship, content contributions, and recognition opportunities.
• Represent AACR on committees and working groups to advance the field of cancer research career development.

Communications & Outreach

• Increase awareness, visibility, and engagement with AACR professional development offerings.
• Produce compelling program summaries, email campaigns, website content, and social media messaging.
• Collaborate with Marketing, Creative Services, Communications, and the AACR Foundation to highlight participant success stories and drive program participation.
• Improve communication metrics such as open rates, click‑through rates, and event conversions.

Qualifications

Education & Experience

• A master's degree in a STEM field
• 5-7 years of progressively responsible experience in professional development, adult learning, nonprofit or corporate training, or higher education, including program leadership and people management.
• Experience working in scientific research or health‑related environments strongly preferred.

Skills & Knowledge

• Strong program, project, and budget management skills with the ability to prioritize across multiple initiatives.
• Excellent organizational, communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills, especially attuned to audiences with global experience and interests.
• Ability to manage multiple programs and deadlines in a fast‑paced environment.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate with diverse internal and external stakeholders.
• Familiarity with the development and use of Learning Management Systems and virtual, on-demand training and in-person and virtual scientific meeting planning and management a plus.
• Familiarity with data analytics and event/CRM platforms such as Open Water, Salesforce, Proposal Central, Lytho, CMS tools, and MS Office.

EOE