Job Title: Director of Continuing Education and Innovative Learning

Department: Training

Reports to: President & CEO

Supervises: N/A

FLSA Status: Exempt

FT/PT: Full-Time

Organization Overview

The Ackerman Institute for the Family was founded in 1960, and is one of the premier institutions for family therapy treatment, and one of the most highly regarded training facilities for family therapists in the United States. The Institute serves a diverse population of families at all stages of family life by offering a variety of programs that address a broad range of issues and concerns. The faculty at the Institute have achieved national prominence and earned national awards for the development of innovative approaches to family therapy and professional training.

Position Summary

The Director of Continuing Education and Innovative Learning will oversee the full operation of the Ackerman Institute Hybrid Learning and Continuing Education programs. This role is pivotal in managing day-to-day workshop logistics (online, in-person, and hybrid), handling participant applications, ensuring compliance with continuing education (CEU) requirements, and troubleshooting technical issues. Additionally, the Director will develop national and international partnerships, expand Ackerman’s educational offerings, and drive innovation in the continuing education space.

The Director of Continuing Education and Innovative learning will collaborate with faculty, external partners, and the administrative team to ensure the delivery of high-quality educational experiences. This role provides the chance to influence the direction of Ackerman's academic programs by creating new workshops, building international training partnerships, and enhancing outreach initiatives.

Essential Job Functions

Program development and management:

Plan, develop, and execute continuing education programs, including one-day workshops, multi-week courses, and distance learning.
Ensure the curriculum is current, relevant, and aligned with the Institute’s goals and mission.
Develop and implement policies and procedures to standardize and enhance program delivery across all formats.

Friday Workshop Coordination:

Manage the logistics of Friday Workshops, including presenter materials, scheduling, and real-time technical support.
Provide technical troubleshooting for hybrid and online workshop formats to ensure seamless participant experiences.
Responsible for building the workshop support function, CEU management and customer service.

Continuing Education Compliance:

Ensure that continuing education credits (CEUs) are processed in compliance with New York State regulations for all relevant workshops and training.
Maintain accurate record-keeping and reporting for CEU activities, ensuring adherence to regulatory standards.

Community and International Outreach:

Develop relationships with social service agencies, mental health clinics, and other organizations across the U.S. and internationally to promote Ackerman’s educational offerings.
Manage ongoing contracts and agencies, including scheduling, invoicing, and reporting for CEU-eligible training.
Plan and coordinate international training initiatives with long-standing partners in South America (e.g., Buenos Aires, Argentina and Santiago, Chile) and identify new opportunities for global partnerships.

Strategic Innovations:

Explore new technologies and platforms to enhance Ackerman’s asynchronous learning and hybrid programs.
Lead the development of new educational programs that extend Ackerman’s reach nationally and internationally.
Identify opportunities for program growth, focusing on new revenue opportunities, expanding into new markets and regions while maintaining the Institute’s commitment to quality and inclusion.

Marketing and Partnership Development:

Collaborate with the marketing team to develop strategies that promote Ackerman’s continuing education programs.
Build relationships with key stakeholders, including alumni, current students, and professional organizations.
Represent the Institute at conferences, workshops, and other professional events.

Leadership and Team Management:

Lead and collaborate with the administrative team, trainers, and support staff to ensure the smooth execution of workshops and training programs.
Foster a culture of creativity, collaboration, and continuous improvement within the department.

Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Master’s degree in education, psychology, social work, or a related field; a Ph.D. is preferred.
Minimum of 5 years of experience in continuing education, distance learning, or related fields, with a strong background in mental health training.
Proven experience in program development and managing educational programs, including online and hybrid formats.
Strong leadership and team management skills.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build and maintain relationships with diverse stakeholders.
Knowledge of current trends and best practices in continuing education, distance learning, and mental health training.
Creative thinker with the ability to develop and implement innovative educational solutions.
Experience with international outreach and partnership development a plus.
Experience with CEO regulatory compliance and continuing education administration a plus.
Commitment to Ackerman Institute values of inclusion, collaboration, and transparency.
Personal presence and ability to speak about the training program.
Proficiency in MS Office Suite (Teams, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook).

Work Environment

This position will be based out of our office in New York City 4 days per week and 1 day remotely.

Compensation

Ackerman Institute for the Family offers a generous compensation package which includes:

$90,000 - $100,000 per year DOE.
Eligible employees can enroll in the Company’s medical, dental, vision, and other voluntary insurances for employees and dependents, largely subsidized by Ackerman.
A 403(b)-retirement plan with eligibility for employer match.
Generous paid-time-off package.
Commitment to work-life balance.

Welcoming Diversity

The Ackerman Institute for the Family provides equal opportunities to all individuals without regard to race, religion, national origin, disability, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other status protected by law. It does not discriminate based on any status protected by law. This policy applies to all employment, education, volunteer, and clinical care related activities or in any other aspect of the Institute’s operation. Black, Indigenous, and people of color; trans, non-binary, and intersex people, especially transwomen; those from poor and working-class backgrounds, immigrants, people with disabilities; as well as people at the intersections of these experiences are highly encouraged to apply.

Ackerman Institute for the Family jobs

Director of Continuing Education and Innovative Learning