Senior Director of Education and Meetings

Seeking Senior Director of Education & Meetings for National Medical Society

TorchLight Hire is seeking a Senior Director of Education & Meetings to lead the combined education and meetings functions of a prominent national medical society based in the Washington, D.C. area.

This is a senior executive role reporting directly to the CEO, responsible for setting strategic direction across a dynamic, mission-critical department that delivers continuing medical education, professional certifications, and large-scale in-person and virtual conferences to a global membership.

The ideal candidate is a seasoned association professional who brings deep expertise in both CME/accreditation and complex meetings management—someone who can lead a high-performing team, drive educational innovation, and serve as a trusted strategic partner to organizational leadership.

Location

Hybrid role — in-office attendance is project and event-driven rather than a set weekly schedule; candidates must be local to the Northern Virginia / Washington, D.C. / Maryland area. Relocation is not available.

Employment

• Direct hire, permanent opportunity
• Hybrid work environment (with flexible work from home options)

Role Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and day-to-day oversight of the combined Education and Meetings departments, including hiring, coaching, and developing a skilled team of directors and staff
• Serve as the primary staff liaison to Professional Committees, translating volunteer and member direction into educational programming and conference experiences
• Oversee all aspects of accreditation across multiple provider tracks, ensuring full compliance with industry standards and all applicable regulations
• Lead the planning, coordination, and execution of all society meetings, including the Annual Meeting (up to 7,000 attendees) and specialty events
• Oversee webinars, online certificate programs, and virtual education offerings, staying ahead of evolving technologies, formats, and member needs
• Develop and manage the department budget; negotiate and manage vendor contracts, including large-scale show management, convention center, hotel, and AV agreements
• Collaborate with the CEO and senior leadership team to develop and implement strategic departmental goals aligned with the Society’s broader mission
• Partner with the Marketing department to drive registration, attendance, and engagement goals for all programs and events
• Champion educational innovation—identifying emerging topics, new delivery formats, and technology tools (including AI and virtual/hybrid solutions)

Skills and Experience

• Minimum 15 years of progressive experience in a senior staff role within a trade or professional association, with demonstrated responsibility for both educational programming and meetings management
• Strong working knowledge of accreditation standards and continuing education best practices across multiple provider types
• Proven experience planning and executing large-scale, multi-day in-person conferences, including vendor negotiations with convention centers, hotels, and AV/show management companies
• Demonstrated leadership of high-performing teams; ability to lead experienced directors and elevate staff skills and capabilities
• Experience working with volunteer committees and member-driven governance structures
• Strategic thinker with the ability to set direction for educational programming, including awareness of emerging topics, delivery formats, and technology trends
• Collaborative, inclusive management style
• Experience in a medical, scientific, or healthcare-related association preferred; candidates from other association backgrounds with strong CE and accreditation experience will be considered

Compensation & Benefits

Salary range: $150,000–$170,000 depending on experience

Comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, and vision insurance; retirement benefits; paid leave; compressed work schedule; and a professional, flexible hybrid work environment.