Director, Educational Programming at Water Environment Federation – WEF in Alexandria, Virginia

Job Description:

How This Position Contributes to the Team

The Water Environment Federation (WEF) is a not-for-profit technical and educational organization of more than 30,000 individual members and 75 affiliated Member Associations (MAs) representing water quality professionals around the world. Since 1928, WEF and its members have protected public health and the environment. WEF and its global network of members and member associations provide water quality professionals around the world with the latest in water quality education, training, and business opportunities. WEF’s diverse membership includes scientists, engineers, regulators, academics, utility managers, plant operators, and other professionals. WEF uses this collective knowledge to further a shared goal of improving water quality around the world.

The Director, Educational Programming will be responsible for the delivery of educational content within WEF's portfolio of water events and online learning. The education portfolio includes WEF's flagship event, the Water Environment Federation Technical Exhibition and Conference (WEFTEC), specialty conferences and other events, webinars, and online training. The position reports to the Sr. Director, Workforce Development.

The ideal candidate will have experience developing highly technical programming for large-scale educational events in either the water sector or another industry outside of water.

NOTE: This position is only open to hybrid work and requires occasional travel (up to 10-15% of the year) across the U.S to participate in relevant meetings and attend WEF educational events.

Key Responsibilities

General

• Supervise and develop direct reports, including recruitment, hiring, retention, professional development, coaching, mentoring, and performance management.
• Oversee operations and budget for the department.
• Collaborate with other WEF departments to ensure successful implementation of WEF events and programs.

Conference Programming

• Ensure alignment of WEF educational programming with WEF’s strategy and mission, as well as operational and financial goals.
• Lead the design, planning, and execution of programming for educational events, workshops, conferences, and online learning.
• Ensure conference content and exposition floor content complement each other as part of a unified content strategy.
• Lead volunteer program communities responsible for conference content.
• Manage call for content process, ensuring that it is diverse and inclusive.
• Develop and implement strategies for engaging and educating target audiences.
• Collaborate with industry experts and speakers to create relevant educational content.
• Monitor industry trends to enhance the educational impact of events.
• Analyze event outcomes and feedback to drive continuous improvement.

Experience and Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree in education, public policy, political science, economics, or other related discipline is required.
• 10 or more years full-time experience in related field(s).
• Demonstrated experience leading programming for educational events.
• Knowledge of adult education theory and practice.
• Experience in working with volunteers on calls for papers utilizing best practices including DE&I principles.
• Experience in event design and management.
• Excellent program management abilities, including strong planning, time management, and budget management skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively.
• Strong customer service orientation.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, delegate and manage staff, track, and lead multiple programs under deadline.
• Motivated to seek new challenges with a creative and learning mindset.
• Willingness to travel to conferences, meetings, and industry events, 10-15% of the year.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite. Experience using online collaboration and communication software (e.g., SharePoint, Teams).

Preferred qualifications:

• Demonstrated experience successfully building and managing high-performing teams of equivalent size or greater.
• Knowledge of the development and delivery of online learning.
• Masters' degree in relevant discipline, such as public policy or education.
• Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) or similar certification highly desired.
• Knowledge of licensing and certifications highly desired.
• Knowledge of the US water sector.

This person will work primarily in an office environment using standard office equipment. Must be able to lift at least 20 lbs.

WEF reserves the right to require proof of COVID-19 vaccination or other compliance with public health measures as a condition of employment. This is not mandatory at this time.

WEF is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Who We Are

The Water Environment Federation (WEF) is a not-for-profit technical and educational organization of more than 30,000 individual members and 75 affiliated Member Associations (MAs) representing water quality professionals around the world. Since 1928, WEF and its members have protected public health and the environment. WEF and its global network of members and member associations provide water quality professionals around the world with the latest in water quality education, training, and business opportunities. WEF’s diverse membership includes scientists, engineers, regulators, academics, utility managers, plant operators, and other professionals. WEF uses this collective knowledge to further a shared goal of improving water quality around the world.

WEF is operating under a new Strategic Plan built on the vision of a life free of water challenges. Our ultimate goal is a world where each person has access to clean water and sanitation, where communities prosper, and where nature thrives. The key strategic goals under the new Strategic Plan are: 1) to attract and develop a diverse and passionate workforce; 2) to cultivate a purpose-driven community to sustainably solve water challenges for all; and 3) to lead the transformation to the circular water economy.

The new Strategic Plan embodies WEF’s embrace of diversity, equity, and inclusion in all that we do. WEF is committed to equity and inclusion in all aspects of our work, including within the governance structure and leadership, WEF partners, WEF staff, and the WEF membership. This commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion will guide our work and our programs, culminating in outcomes that improve public health for all.

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