Director of Education & Research

Overview

Associations International is seeking a strategic and innovative leader to oversee education and research for the International SPA Association (ISPA). Reporting to the Vice President of ISPA, this role provides vision and direction for ISPA’s educational resources, learning management system, and research initiatives, ensuring members have access to the tools and insights they need to succeed. The Director will curate impactful educational programming for ISPA events and publications, manage partnerships with leading research firms, and translate industry data into actionable strategies for members.

The ideal candidate brings 10+ years of leadership experience, a strong background in educational content development and research, and a proven ability to collaborate with volunteer leaders, committees, and industry partners within a nonprofit or member-based organization.

Educational Content & Resource Development:

• Lead creation and curation of educational content and resources to address needs and challenges of the spa industry
• Identify priority content areas through analysis of industry trends, research findings and insights from the ISPA community
• Serve as the organization’s primary curator and quality gatekeeper for all educational content to ensure resources meet the needs of the ISPA community while heavily supporting member retention and recruitment efforts
• Cultivate and maintain relationships with subject matter experts relevant to the ISPA community
• Oversee ISPA’s learning management platform, iLearn, including content development, course launches, and tracking of key engagement metrics
• Research and recommend educational tools and resources to add value for ISPA members
• Source new content by engaging members, past/current speakers and subject matter experts
• Manage the creation and distribution of ISPA Toolkits designed to meet specific member needs
• Monitor industry trends and member feedback to identify when a new toolkit is warranted
• Curate and create toolkit content that addresses educational gaps or emerging challenges

ISPA Research Foundation:

• Manage the ISPA Research Foundation’s industry and consumer research initiatives, translating findings into accessible, actionable insights for diverse audiences
• Serve as liaison to research partners, including Pricewaterhouse Coopers, overseeing survey design, data analysis, reporting and timelines
• Lead development, deployment and analysis of ISPA Snapshot Surveys

Educational Offerings for ISPA Events:

• Direct educational content for in-person and virtual ISPA events, including the ISPA Conference and virtual Town Halls
• Analyze event trends and audience need to design a compelling, high-value educational lineup
• Lead the speaker selection process: identify prospects based on member needs, solicit applications and recommend top-tier presenters for leadership to evaluate
• Serve as the primary liaison for all speakers, managing contracts, communications and logistical details
• Ensure presenters are fully briefed on ISPA expectations, brand voice and audience engagement best practices
• Lead onsite coordination for all education sessions at the ISPA Conference
• Oversee creation and review of marketing materials promoting educational sessions and keynote speakers
• Develop Pulse magazine content highlighting featured speakers and sessions

Strategic Leadership &

Collaboration:

• Partner with executive leadership to integrate education and research priorities into ISPA’s strategic plan
• Collaborate with committees, advisory groups and external partners to guide program direction and ensure alignment with member needs
• Prepare board materials and updates related to education programs, research initiatives and key industry insights
• Other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED

• 10+ years of leadership experience
• Experience developing educational content for professional organizations
• Project management experience involving multiple team members and deadlines
• Experience utilizing research/data for educational content development
• Exceptional communication, facilitation and relationship-building skills
• Exceptional political acumen with the ability to manage…