$85K - 110K a year
Lead and improve professional development programs, manage partnerships and sponsorships, oversee speaker development, evaluate program performance, and collaborate on marketing and financial planning.
Bachelor’s degree, 5+ years program management or related experience, strong organizational and communication skills, proficiency with virtual learning platforms, and ability to work onsite in Orlando.
Title: Program Manager Department/Office: Global Professional Development, IAAPA HQ, Orlando, FL Reports To: Senior Director, Professional Development & Education Overall Responsibilities: The Program Manager plays a pivotal role in advancing IAAPA’s global strategy for education and professional development. This position is responsible for designing, delivering, and supporting high-impact learning experiences and young professional programming that attract, engage, and retain members across the global attractions industry. Reporting to the Senior Director of Professional Development & Education, the Program Manager works collaboratively with internal teams and stakeholders to ensure the continued growth, relevance, and success of IAAPA’s professional development offerings. Essential Duties: Professional Development Programs • Lead the planning, execution, and continuous improvement of IAAPA’s Education Institutes, Young Professionals Programming, Education Partnerships and Sponsorships, and future professional development initiatives. • Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to align program content with industry trends and member needs. Education Partnerships and Sponsorships • In collaboration with the Senior Manager, Certification Programs, review and enhance the Education Partnership and Sponsorship Prospectus annually to expand engagement opportunities and drive revenue. • Collaborate with marketing and regional sales teams to develop and execute promotional campaigns that support business development and member engagement. IAAPA Speaker Development • Design and manage onboarding and ongoing training programs for IAAPA speakers across regions and global events. • Maintain a database of qualified speakers in collaboration with regional education teams. Program Evaluation and Continuous Improvement • Implement and maintain SOPs and quality standards to optimize program efficiency and deliver high-quality learning experiences at reasonable costs for all Professional Development programming. • Collaborate with IAAPA Research to integrate evaluation data and industry insights into program design and delivery. • Conduct annual reviews of existing programs and recommend new initiatives based on member feedback, committee input, data analytics, and professional development trends. • Prepare and present program performance data and strategic insights to senior leadership. Planning, Marketing, and Financial Oversight • Partner with marketing and communications teams to promote professional development offerings and ensure financial success. • Develop and recommend strategic plans to grow attendance and enhance professional development program visibility. • Negotiate and manage relationships with vendors and service providers to support program delivery. Strategic Support and Additional Responsibilities • Work closely with the Senior Director to develop strategies that foster innovation in content and delivery formats. • Assist in budget creation and manage assigned budgets to ensure fiscal responsibility. • Travel may be required (up to 10%, domestic and international). • Perform other duties as assigned to support the department’s goals and IAAPA’s mission. Key Performance Indicators: Program Development & Execution • Number of professional development programs launched or enhanced annually • Number of webinars executed annually • Participant satisfaction score (post-event surveys) Young Professionals & Mentorship Program • Mentorship program participation rate (mentors and mentees) • Mentorship match satisfaction score • Retention rate of Young Professional membership Evaluation & Continuous Improvement • Annual improvement in program satisfaction scores • Number of new initiatives or innovations piloted annually Marketing & Visibility • Program attendance growth rate • Marketing campaign engagement (email open/click-through rates)) Financial Management • Budget adherence rate • Revenue goals reached • Cost per participant (tracked and optimized annually) Qualifications • Bachelor’s degree in Education, Hospitality, Nonprofit Management, Business, or a related field (Master’s degree preferred). • Minimum 5 years of experience in program management, professional development, adult learning, or event planning. • Experience managing mentorship, internship, or leadership development programs is highly desirable. • Demonstrated experience designing, delivering, and evaluating learning programs (in-person, virtual, and hybrid formats). • Strong project management and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously and flexibility to adapt to shifting priorities and timelines. • Excellent written and verbal communication skills. • Proficient in using digital platforms for virtual learning and event delivery (e.g., Zoom, Microsoft Teams, learning management systems). • Data-driven mindset with the ability to analyze program feedback and performance metrics to inform continuous improvement. • Strong collaboration and interpersonal skills; able to work effectively across departments, regions, and cultures. • Creative problem-solver with a passion for innovation in adult learning and professional development. • Experience with membership-based associations, nonprofit organizations, or in learning and development within the attractions industry is a plus. • Ability to work onsite at headquarter office in Orlando, Florida. ____________________________________________________________________________ The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the individual(s) assigned to this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and skills required. Management reserves the right to modify, add, or remove duties and to assign other duties as necessary. In addition, reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.
This job posting was last updated on 10/8/2025