The Financial Planning Association seeks a Director, Learning and Instructional Design to help advance financial planning practitioners from foundational, to intermediate, to experts within our profession. We seek a collaborative, mission-driven, and strategic leader who will develop FPA’s overall professional learning activities and experience, including content development, content design, learning technology management, quality control, and online learning program oversight. Additional content creation and speaker management duties will relate to in-person conferences and meetings.
FPA aspires to be the home for professional financial planners where practitioners come to find connection, professional support, and development through the arc of their career. Our association supports the Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) designation as the indication of a commitment to professional technical knowledge but sees its role as developing all aspects of the practitioner’s capabilities and practice. We offer approved continuing education programs that qualify towards the maintenance of the credential; however, our mission is to extend beyond helping members meet continuing education requirements. We strive to help them develop leadership capacity as extraordinary practitioners, able to deliver valuable and impactful services to clients and their communities.
General Responsibilities
Responsible for the full learning cycle of course and curriculum design, development, implementation, and evaluation
Direct, design, develop, edit, and assess educational offerings continually, ensuring that our members' goals are met through multiple learning delivery methods and technology platforms.
Develops strategy, business plans, and content for all FPA educational offerings, whether delivered via digital platforms or in-person meetings
Budget responsibility for the program.
Manages e-learning platform and in-person FPA meeting content, with an eye on growing fresh content in priority areas as identified by stakeholder and member volunteer groups
Offers expertise, conducts practical needs assessments, and provides analyses to inform and curate content for FPA educational offerings that align with our business mission.
Identifies, recruits, and collaborates with professional executives and subject matter experts to develop engaging and relevant educational content. Works with thought leaders to identify the leading trends, topics, and issues to drive content, educational event programming, and high-quality training to attract the interest of our professional community and enhance member value
Leads and participates in volunteer committees to design valuable and relevant educational content for digital and in-person meetings
Evaluates the evolving professional learning climate; supervises long and short-range plans for achieving the FPA business mission and provide recommendations for activities.
Proactively investigates, recommends, and implements new learning technologies, including but not limited to learning management systems (LMS), mobile apps, vendor matching, call for session proposal submissions, etc.
Works with subject matter experts and speakers to analyze and logically organize information and transform it into professionally designed, high-quality, and effective digital or in-person learning opportunities
Manage consultants, instructional designers, volunteers, and other content creators and providers
Serves as on-site speaker host and contact during events
Coordinates with the Conferences and Meetings Team to communicate meeting logistics and information to speakers
Collaborates with the Marketing Team on content distribution and publicity, communicating value, and addressing our core audience with effective messaging.
Communicates and reports on the status and progress of projects to leadership and stakeholders
Recommends process improvements related to online learning and in-person programming
Stays informed and up to date on quality standards, ADA issues, and policy related to online learning, meetings, and credentialing.
Assists FPA staff with professional learning planning
Position located in Denver, Colorado. Staff members currently working remotely due to Covid-19.
FPA views diversity as an integral part of our culture and identity and we strive to create an inclusive culture where our differences are seen as a value for the association. We’re committed to building an organization that encourages collaboration and creativity and where people thrive by being themselves and can do their best work as part of our team.
Skills Required to be Successful
Strategic thinker who supports and promotes alignment of educational development with the organization's business mission and values. Embraces a change management perspective and an innovative mindset.
Knowledge of adult learning, e-learning, learning theories, and instructional design models
Proven proficiency in program design, development, delivery, and evaluation
Experience working with volunteers, subject matter experts, and other key stakeholders
Direct experience with learning management systems (LMS)
Working knowledge of online learning authoring and development tools, presentation software, video and audio capture, editing, etc.
Proficient in Microsoft Office applications, social media platforms, and related collaborative technologies, report-writing packages, and ability and willingness to learn new software and programs as required
Education and Prior Experience
Master’s degree, with a preference in education, instructional design, online learning, adult learning, technology, or similarly related field.
5-7 years of experience with demonstrated skills, knowledge, and experience in design and execution of educational programs, including curriculum development, or an equivalent combination of relevant experience and education/training required
Prior work experience for a membership or trade/professional association is a plus.
An understanding of financial planning is a plus.
Certified Association Executive (CAE) credential preferred but not required.
NOTES:
Additional Salary Information: FPA offers eligible employees a comprehensive range of benefits including medical, dental, vision, life, disability, and accident insurance. Additional benefits include a 401(k) savings plan, twelve paid holidays, sick and vacation leave, and paid garage parking.
About Financial Planning Association
The Financial Planning Association® (FPA®) is the principal membership organization for CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM professionals, educators, financial services professionals and students who are committed to elevating the profession that transforms lives through the power of financial planning. Through a collaborative effort to provide members with tools and resources for professional education, business support, advocacy and community, FPA is the indispensable resource in the advancement of today’s CFP® professional. Learn more about FPA at financialplanningassociation.org.