Senior Director Certifications

Position Summary:

Reporting into CMO/CMO designee, the Senior Director, Certification provides strategic, operational, and business leadership for IHI’s global portfolio of professional certifications, including the Certified Professional in Patient Safety (CPPS)TM , the Certified Professional in Human Factors in Healthcare (CPHFH)TM, the Certified Professional in Age-Friendly Healthcare (CPAFH)TM, and the Certified Professional in Clinical Health Equity (CPCHE)TM credentials. This position establishes the portfolio vision, expands market reach and adoption, safeguards accreditation and program integrity, and ensures certification and related educational offerings remain relevant, credible, financially sustainable, and responsive to evolving workforce and industry needs. The Senior Director, Certification leads cross-functional teams and builds external partnerships that strengthen the value, visibility, and global impact of IHI’s certification portfolio.

Position Responsibilities:

Responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:

Strategy, Growth, and Market Expansion

Provide strategic leadership for IHI’s portfolio of globally available professional certifications, establishing the long-term vision, market expansion strategies, and business growth plans
Identify and develop strategic partnerships that expand domestic and international reach
Drive growth in candidate enrollment, certification adoption, recertification, and portfolio financial performance while advancing the value and visibility of professional certification

Certification and Educational Portfolio Excellence

Evaluate and seek to continuously improve certification programs, review courses, practice examinations, recertifications, accreditation, and related educational products
Oversee the full certification lifecycle, ensuring offerings remain relevant, market-responsive, operationally effective, and aligned with evolving workforce and industry needs
Program Integrity, Accreditation, and Validity

Ensure the defensibility, validity, reliability, and integrity of certification programs through oversight of psychometric activities, job analyses, examination development, standard-setting studies, recertification requirements, governance processes, and accreditation compliance
Maintain adherence to nationally and globally recognized standards and applicable legal, regulatory, and professional requirements governing certification programs

External Partnerships and Governance

Serve as the primary staff leader supporting the certification governance body, advisory committees, boards, subject matter experts, testing vendors, psychometricians, academic institutions, healthcare organizations, and industry partners
Build and sustain strategic relationships that strengthen credential quality, increase market adoption, support portfolio growth, and enable effective governance and decision-making

Business Operations, Financial Performance, and Team Leadership

Lead the overall performance, sustainability, and growth of the certification portfolio through budget oversight, financial planning, forecasting, resource allocation, operational management, risk mitigation, and staff leadership
Ensure achievement of strategic objectives while maintaining efficient operations, strong cross-functional partnerships, and accountability for portfolio revenue, expenses, investments, and business outcomes

Position Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Deep knowledge of professional certification standards, accreditation requirements, psychometric principles, examination development, governance, and recertification practices
Demonstrated ability to establish portfolio strategy, evaluate market opportunities, and translate strategy into sustainable growth and measurable business outcomes
Strong business and financial management capabilities, including budgeting, forecasting, resource allocation, revenue management, and risk mitigation
Ability to build trusted relationships with governance bodies, subject matter experts, vendors, academic institutions, healthcare organizations, and industry partners
Ability to lead and develop staff, manage complex cross-functional work, and influence effectively across organizational boundaries
Excellent executive communication, decision-making, and relationship management with key parties
IHI Values and Culture

Commitment to IHI Values of courage, love, equity, trust and impact
Commitment to equity, anti-racism, and the improvement of societal systems
Ability to actively support, communicate, and teach the unique culture and values of the Institute for Healthcare Improvement

Position Qualifications:

Required

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience in related field
10+ years of progressive leadership experience in professional certification, credentialing, association management, education, healthcare, workforce development, or related
ICE-CCP certification upon hire or within one year of hire
Experience leading:
Complex certification or credentialing programs with global reach.
Psychometrically sound, accredited certification programs, including certification portfolio management, examination development, accreditation oversight, and governance support
Experience with business and financial management, strategic partnership development, and staff leadership

Preferred

Advanced degree in healthcare or related field
Experience in healthcare certification programs
Prior experience with governance bodies
Additional credentials in certification, credentialing, association management, or business leadership

Physical Attributes:

Ability to Sit for Extended Periods: Capability to work at a desk for long durations
Manual Dexterity: Proficiency in using a computer, including typing, mouse handling, and other office equipment
Visual Acuity: Ability to read and view a computer screen for extended periods
Hearing and Speaking: Clear communication over phone and video calls
Environment Setup: Access to a quiet, professional home office setup conducive to focused work and virtual meetings
Lifting: Occasionally requires lifting up to 25 lbs as needed