Organization Overview 

At the COPD Foundation, we are committed to improving the lives of individuals living with COPD and their caregivers through education, advocacy, and research. As we mark two decades of dedicated service, we are expanding our team and inviting talented individuals to join us on our mission. What sets us apart as an employer include our comprehensive benefits and healthcare package, work from home environment, and high growth of the organization with opportunities for advancement.
 

Position Overview

The COPD Foundation is seeking an innovative Director of Public and Professional Education to lead the development and delivery of educational resources, materials, and awareness initiatives for diverse audiences nationally and globally. This role requires a creative approach to designing and implementing programs that effectively reach and engage patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals in meaningful ways. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in nonprofit health education and digital learning platforms, with a proven ability to develop strategies that empower patients to manage chronic lung diseases and equip healthcare professionals with the tools and knowledge to deliver outstanding care.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and deliver accessible, culturally appropriate educational programs and materials that empower patients and caregivers to better understand and manage COPD, bronchiectasis, and NTM lung disease.
• Identify gaps in patient education resources and develop innovative solutions to address unmet needs.

• Lead and manage a multidisciplinary team of education professionals to foster professional growth, strengthen skills, promote accountability, empower team members, and optimize their performance in their roles.

• Provide strategic guidance on health education methodologies and instructional design principles while staying informed on evolving eLearning trends, tools, and best practices to drive innovation and ensure team excellence in educational delivery.
• Develop and maintain relationships with corporate and nonprofit partners, healthcare providers, industry professionals, and patient advocacy groups.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to identify opportunities to improve outcomes for patients, families, and healthcare professionals.
• Oversee the creation and distribution of instructional materials on topics related to respiratory health, ensuring materials are engaging, accurate, and effective.
• Collaborate with subject matter experts to ensure that educational content aligns with current clinical guidelines and is relevant to patient and professional needs.
• Oversee the quality and timeliness of education programs and projects to ensure deadlines and expectations are met and exceeded.
• Utilize data analytics, surveys, and feedback to assess program effectiveness and make data-driven improvements.
• Work closely with the Marketing and Communications team to ensure alignment with branding standards in education deliverables.
• Communicate plans and status updates clearly and on a regular basis to leadership and effectively drive cross-functional collaboration and program development.
• Monitor budget performance, including budget reconciliations and invoice management.
• Serve as the Education advisory expert on committees representing the COPD Foundation.
• Craft proposals and submit grants for program funding to support strategic and priority education needs of the community.

Education and Experience Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required in Health Education, Public Health, Community Health, or a related field. CHES (Certified Health Education Specialist) or MCHES (Master Certified Health Education Specialist) preferred.
• Experience in nonprofit management, including working with mission-driven organizations, is highly desirable.
• 8-10 years of experience in learning management systems, instructional design, learning engagement tools, and online platforms for professional education in the health care industry; minimum of 5 years in a managerial role overseeing an Education team.

• In-depth experience and understanding of leading eLearning and digital education (audio, video, podcasts, animation, etc.) platforms such as Absorb, Storyline, iSpring, Articulate, Captivate, or similar).

• Strong leadership acumen and managerial experience directing a team of education content developers, with strong organizational and project management skills.
• Proven ability to create and deliver high-quality written content, including instructional materials and other educational or professional documents.
• Expertise in designing and implementing educational initiatives that are not only mission-driven but also have the potential to generate sustainable revenue streams.
• Familiarity with integrating emerging technologies, such as AI, VR, and AR, into educational programs to enhance learning experiences.
• Understanding of accreditation and compliance requirements for healthcare education programs (e.g., CME, CEU).

• Strong time management skills and experience managing multiple, concurrent projects in a matrix organization.
• Experience developing and managing budgets.

• Excellent communication, presentation, and collaboration skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.
• Business development experience and skills in proposal development and grant writing in the healthcare arena.

 

OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES: 

• Proficient in MS Office, including Excel and PowerPoint
• Ability to travel for job-related events, meetings, and conferences
• Exceptional interpersonal skills to inspire teams, resolve conflicts, and build strong internal and external relationships.

 

 

 

Why Join Us?

The COPD Foundation is committed to making a positive impact on patient and healthcare provider education. This role offers the unique opportunity to shape educational content and resources that support respiratory health across diverse audiences. We offer competitive compensation, a collaborative work environment, and a chance to work on meaningful projects that make a difference.