Ready to shape the future of learning for the animal welfare profession?

The Association for Animal Welfare Advancement is seeking a visionary learning leader to create and deliver high-impact professional development and training to animal welfare professionals at all levels.  The right candidate will have the opportunity to deliver cutting-edge content using a variety of platforms to leaders and aspiring leaders across the animal welfare spectrum.  This position will develop transformative learning experiences designed to build community and help define how the profession grows. 

Why This Role Matters

At The Association, professional development isn’t an afterthought — it’s central to our mission to champion, advance, and unify the animal welfare profession. We believe that learning happens best with peers, through rich connections and intentional design that drives real-world impact. Join a collaborative, mission-driven team where your work offers leaders the opportunity for continuous growth and advancement.

What You’ll Do

As our new Director of Professional Development, you will:

• Lead strategic learning design — develop and deliver engaging professional development across formats, including cohort programs, conference content, virtual learning, and micro-credentials.
• Spearhead a member-driven Advisory Council — co-create, launch, and steward a council that informs learning priorities for leaders at different stages of their careers.
• Partner to elevate expertise — equip speakers, facilitators, and subject-matter experts to deliver high-quality, learner-centered experiences.
• Integrate learning with community — embed peer connection, reflection, and shared learning into every experience in partnership with Membership and Events.
• Support organizational growth — help grow non-dues revenue through strong program design and execution.

This role blends hands-on instructional design with strategic leadership and influence.

Who You Are

We’re looking for someone who brings:

Required Qualifications

• Experience designing, developing, and delivering innovative and creative professional development at scale
• Expertise applying adult learning theory and instructional design across diverse modalities
• A coach-and-mentor mindset with presenters, facilitators, and partners
• A collaborative approach and comfort operating in a lean, dynamic team

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in associations, nonprofits, or mission-driven work
• Demonstrated commitment to equity, inclusion, and access
• Familiarity with learning technology and digital-first environments, such as learning management systems (e.g., Cadmium Elevate), virtual meeting platforms (e.g., Zoom for meetings and webinars), and project management tools (e.g., Asana)

Why You’ll Love Working Here

• Fully remote role — work from where you live
• Purpose-driven mission — your work fuels growth for leaders improving lives every day
• Career growth — clear pathway from Director to Senior Director as you expand your strategic impact
• Supportive culture — inclusive, collaborative team with shared commitment to excellence

We value diverse perspectives and encourage candidates from historically underrepresented communities to apply.

How to Apply
Submit your resume and a brief cover letter outlining why this role excites you and how your experience aligns with the opportunity.  To ensure a fair and thorough review process, applications will be collected through February 11, 2026, with review beginning after the posting closes.

About The Association for Animal Welfare Advancement

The Association for Animal Welfare Advancement is the leading professional organization dedicated to championing, advancing, and unifying the animal welfare profession. The field looks to The Association for two things above all else: high-quality professional development and meaningful connection with peers. We support leaders and aspiring leaders across animal welfare by providing learning experiences that build skills, strengthen leadership pipelines, and foster a sense of belonging within a diverse, mission-driven professional community. Our work is grounded in collaboration, equity, and a belief that learning is most powerful when it happens with others, not in isolation. The Association’s current strategic plan (2025–2028) reflects this commitment and guides near-term priorities; however, professional development and member connection are enduring pillars of our mission and will remain central to our work well beyond any single strategic planning cycle.

Connections working at The Association for Animal Welfare Advancement