Director, Member Learning Programs

Do you want to work where you can apply your exceptional experience and creativity?

Are you looking for variety and the opportunity to use your skills?

Would you love to work with a smart, collaborative committed team?

If the answer is yes to the above, this position might be right for you!

The Director, Member Learning Programs reports to the Vice President, Industry Relations and will lead all association efforts in the identification, design and execution of learning initiatives and instructional content for professional development which involves establishing a comprehensive curriculum, both in-person and virtual, that meets the needs of IFDA’s various constituents.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Lead all of IFDA’s learning initiatives and educational programs;
• Responsible for planning, developing, delivering and ensuring the effectiveness of all industry professional development for in-person, virtual and hybrid events;
• Stay abreast of the latest changes and developments in the learning and professional development fields;
• Monitor the latest foodservice industry trends and developments;
• Recommend new in-person, virtual and hybrid models and work to identify new revenue opportunities;
• Research and identify diverse, relevant paid and non-paid speakers;
• Prepare, coach and manage speakers for all education events;
• Collaborate with the marketing department to promote all learning opportunities and ensure content marketing consistency;
• Oversee the learning section of the website;
• Develop, and monitor compliance to the department’s annual budget;
• Develop relationships across the IFDA membership to understand learning opportunities and identify subject matter experts;
• Monitor member needs and collaborate with Research & Insights to examine and understand member learning opportunities;
• Oversee evaluation process for all conferences, webinars and learning events;
• Identify, design and execute in-person and virtual content and learning opportunities for:
  • SMart Conference
  • Distribution Solutions Conference (DSC)
  • Executive Leadership Summit
  • All other learning programs identified as necessary
  • Serve as primary staff liaison to:
    • SMart Conference Planning Council
    • Distribution Solutions Conference Planning Council
  • Coordinate the IFDA Executive Development Program with UVA’s Darden School of Business:
    • Responsible for two, 3.5 day executive education courses typically held in February and July each year;
    • Serve as primary staff liaison for Darden faculty and participants;
    • Negotiate and secure annual contract;
    • Collaborate with Marketing and Communications Department on event/program promotion.
  • Collaborate with Director, Research and Industry Insights to lead IFDA Share Groups, including:
    • Operations, Information Technology, Human Resources and Financial Share Groups and explore other share group opportunities as appropriate;
    • Develop and manage related budgets, agendas and marketing/promotion.

Additional Responsibilities and Duties:

• Monitor other industries for best-practices that could have value for foodservice distributors;
• Collaborate with staff liaisons to identify and develop learning opportunities around IFDA committee work;
• Serve as staff liaison to assigned committees, task forces and planning councils;
• Collaborate with the database team on registration, pricing and implementation plans and strategies;
• Develop and execute strategies to leverage IFDA event content into extended learning opportunities;
• Support:
  • IFDA Strategic Plan implementation, as needed;
  • Truck Driving Championship, as needed;
  • All other duties as assigned by VP of Industry Relations.

Supervisory Responsibilities:
No direct supervisory responsibilities, however works closely with, and is supported by administrative staff.