Director, Education

Position Overview:

The American Society of Travel Advisors, Inc. (ASTA) seeks to engage a dynamic and results-oriented Director of Education to lead the development and execution of its comprehensive education strategy. With a focus on in-person education sessions at ASTA events and expanding the ASTA Verified Travel Advisor® (VTA) certification program, this role supports travel agencies and advisors by delivering industry-leading education and training resources. The Director of Education collaborates closely with the leadership of the Membership, Industry Affairs, Events, and Legal teams, as well as key industry stakeholders, to ensure that ASTA’s educational offerings remain innovative, relevant, and impactful.

The Director of Education will be responsible for:

• Develop and implement ASTA’s education strategy, including establishing priorities for new programs, certification initiatives, and continuing education
• Direct the ongoing administration of the VTA certification program, including enrollment, certification tracking, renewal requirements, and enrollee communications
• Expand participation in the VTA program by developing partnerships with host agencies, consortia, suppliers, and other industry organizations
• Identify member educational needs and develop new courses to address member demand and emerging industry trends
• Oversee the development of new courses and periodic updates of existing educational content to ensure courses remain accurate, current, and relevant in light of evolving industry practices and regulatory developments.
• Manage ASTA’s Learning Management System, TopClass, including platform administration, user experience, enrollment workflows, sales volume verification processes, reporting, and program enhancements
• Identify and select suitable instructional designers, authors, subject matter experts, and other external content developers to create new courses and educational programs
• Act as staff liaison to ASTA’s Education Committee to identify educational priorities, potential course topics, evaluate presentation proposals, and solicit feedback on educational programming
• Identify, recruit, and contract with speakers for ASTA conferences, webinars, and other educational programs, including collecting presentation materials and serving as the primary liaison throughout the planning process
• Coordinate the delivery of VTA Fast Track training and testing at ASTA events and those of other industry partners
• Evaluate performance metrics for the VTA program, including enrollment, completion rates, member assessments, and related feedback to improve the quality of the product continuously
• Represent ASTA and the VTA program through presentations at conferences, host agency meetings, consortium events, supplier programs, webinars, and other industry forums
• Identify and implement opportunities to increase non-dues revenue through sponsorships and strategic partnerships with other industry groups
• Manage execution of the ASTA Mentoring Program
• Other duties as may be assigned

Qualifications and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree required
• A minimum of three (3) years’ experience in the travel industry as a travel advisor, or in a related field
• Knowledge and understanding of the travel agency industry and the broader travel and tourism landscape
• Proven track record in developing and managing educational programs
• Outstanding organizational and time management skills
• Strong analytical and business acumen with the ability to translate data into actionable insights
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, strong attention to detail, and the ability to engage diverse stakeholders
• Experience with Outlook, MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and survey software
• Familiarity with learning management and association management platforms
• Ability to travel periodically as required to attend industry events, presentations, and training sessions
• Previous experience in a trade association or other not-for-profit organization is desirable

Compensation & Benefits: 

• Salary Range: $90,000–$110,000 annually, based on experience and qualifications.
• Hybrid / Remote Work Options
  • Eligible Work Locations:
    • Washington, DC, Maryland, or Virginia (Hybrid - 3 days per week in the office)
    • Florida, Utah, Illinois, Georgia, North Carolina, California, Arizona, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, or Ohio (Remote)
• Benefits
  • Company-subsidized medical, dental, and vision
  • Company-paid life insurance and short- and long-term disability coverage
  • Paid time off (vacation, comp leave, and holidays)
  • 401(k) plan with employer 6% match

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