Director, Certifications

Title: Director, Certifications

Department/Unit: Specializations/Professional Affairs

FLSA Status: Full-time, Exempt

Location: This position is located onsite at the APTA headquarters in Alexandria, VA

About APTA

Do you want to contribute to an organization dedicated to improving societal health? Would you like to collaborate with colleagues who are passionate about making a difference? Are you excited to work in a new state-of-the-art building designed to encourage movement, participation, and employee health?

Then you want to work for APTA!

APTA is the trusted leader for the physical therapy profession, representing more than 100,000 physical therapists, physical therapist assistants, and physical therapy students. Our approximately 150 employees support the association’s mission to build a community that advances the profession of physical therapy to improve the health of society. Learn more in our Association Profile.

Located in Alexandria, Virginia, APTA has outstanding employee benefits, including flexible work schedules, generous retirement contributions, and travel subsidies for employees who choose public and active transportation.

Summary

The Director of Certifications leads the strategy, development, and administration of the Association’s professional certification programs, ensuring compliance with industry standards and managing the certification process. They oversee department staff, optimize credentialing procedures, manage budgets, and enhance program value to stakeholders. Key responsibilities include auditing processes, maintaining databases, and driving growth.

Essential Functions

• Directs organization, planning and goal setting for the programs.
• Directs staff and program operations, including performance management, budgeting, and resource allocation in collaboration with department leadership.
• Oversees development and implementation of department and program functions, services, and communications.
• Represents APTA to members, potential members and the public in alignment with staff values, employee policies and expectations.
• Aligns program initiatives with organizational, departmental and program OKRs, KPIs, and CSFs.
• Collaborates with other units to ensure integration, communication and members and staff services.
• Monitors performance metrics and reporting to ensure transparency and data-driven decision-making. Collaborates with departmental leadership on dashboards, OKRs and reports.
• Engages with member groups, stakeholders, and external partners to represent APTA’s specialist certification and PTA Advanced Proficiency Pathways programs.
• Proposes innovation in program experience platforms, engagement tools, and service delivery model in collaboration with departmental leadership.
• Adheres with legal, ethical, and organizational standards and compliance in all program operations.

Staff Expectations

• Upholds and fosters APTA Staff Values
• Complies with all APTA policies and procedures
• Performs other duties as assigned to foster achievement of association priorities

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Experience in credentialing program implementation, operations and standards within a nonprofit, association, or mission-driven organization.
• Certified Certification Professional preferred.
• Minimum 8 years of progressive experience in credentialing profession, including at least 5 years in a management role.
• Experience in supervision, training/development and mentoring of staff
• Demonstrated experience in managing programs, budgets, and initiatives at the programmatic level.
• Learning management platforms, credentialing platforms experience
• Data analytics and visualization tools experience (e.g., Power BI, Tableau)
• Project management skills and experience with tools (e.g., Asana, Smartsheet)
• Leadership skills
• Excellent communication skills – written and verbal

Travel Requirements

Up to 10% - local, national; potential international travel

How To Apply

Please send resume and cover letter, including salary requirements, when applying.

Principals only; no agencies; no phone calls, please. Candidates selected to participate in an interview will be contacted by Human Resources.

The American Physical Therapy Association is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, ethnic or national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or military status or any other characteristic protected by law.

APTA participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S. For more information, please visit e-verify.uscis.gov.

APTA is committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce and invites and welcomes applicants with diversity of experience, mindset, and skills to add value to APTA and our staff community.