Description

Director of NIC Academy
National Investment Center for Seniors Housing & Care

The Company
The National Investment Center for Seniors Housing & Care (NIC), a 501(c)(3) organization, works to enable access and choice by providing data, analytics, and connections that bring together investors and providers. NIC delivers the most trusted, objective, and timely insights and implications derived from its analytics, which benefit from NIC’s affiliation with NIC MAP, the leading provider of comprehensive market data for senior housing and skilled nursing properties. NIC events, which include the industry’s premier conferences, provide sector stakeholders with opportunities to convene, network, and drive thought-leadership through high-quality educational programming. NIC Academy offers the only professional education programs for investment and finance professionals in the senior housing and care industry.

Data:
NIC promotes transparency in the sector for the more efficient flow of capital through its cultivation of comprehensive, accurate, and timely data on America’s senior housing and skilled nursing property markets.

Analytics:
The NIC Research & Analytics team sponsors research studies and assesses data and garners input from leading industry practitioners to produce and publish thought leadership, analyses, and insights on market trends in senior housing and skilled nursing.

Connections:
NIC convenes senior industry decision-makers to build relationships, explore new partnerships, and share insights, through a full schedule of events, including the industry’s marquee conferences. The NIC infrastructure is also comprised of an extensive network of volunteers that the organization leverages for their subject matter expertise and leadership in the field.

Professional Education:
NIC provides investment and finance professionals opportunities to accelerate their skill development though Boot Camps, Special Topics Courses, and Certificate Programs offered in NIC Academy.

The Opportunity
Position:  Director of NIC Academy
Location:  Annapolis, MD (Candidates may work remotely on a mutually agreeable schedule if residing within a 2-hour commute)
Reporting Relationship:  Reports to the CEO
Website:  National Investment Center for Seniors Housing & Care

Purpose of the Position
The Director of NIC Academy leads the development and execution of NIC’s professional education programs, including online learning, and in-person education initiatives. This role is responsible for shaping the strategic direction and overseeing the implementation of educational offerings tailored to investment and finance professionals in the senior housing and care sector and adjacent industries. The programs include online Certificate Programs leading to the professional designation of Certified Senior Housing and Care Investment Professional (CSHIP), online Special Topics courses, and in person Boot Camps.

The Director reports to the CEO and President and has full profit and loss accountability for NIC Academy and is responsible for the strategy for and overseeing curriculum development, student enrollment and retention, and instructor recruitment and engagement from senior housing and care professionals. The Director partners with the Marketing Team to develop the marketing and promotions strategy and implementation plans.

Strategic Focus and Growth Opportunity
NIC Academy is at a pivotal growth moment, offering a unique opportunity for a strategic, entrepreneurial leader to make a lasting impact. Following a successful external assessment that affirmed the Academy’s market relevance and potential, the focus now shifts to scaling the reach and performance of the Academy — particularly in terms of growing awareness, boosting inquiries, and significantly increasing enrollment and conversion rates.

The Director will play a lead role in re-energizing marketing and sales efforts, developing compelling messaging informed by a deep understanding of our competitive landscape, and building NIC Academy’s presence both digitally and in-person. Given the strongest conversion results have historically come from direct engagement at NIC’s conferences, this leader will be expected to represent the Academy at NIC events and other relevant industry conferences to build relationships, amplify the Academy’s visibility, and generate leads.

The Candidate
The ideal candidate will bring a strong understanding of professional development and adult learning markets. A strategic marketing mindset and a bias toward growth, outcomes, and performance metrics are essential, as is a collaborative spirit and comfort working in a dynamic, start-up-like environment. Experience with program enrollment strategies, financial modeling, and curriculum development oversight will be particularly valuable.

This role offers a compelling opportunity for someone passionate about workforce development, education, and the future of the senior housing and care sector to build something enduring — and to do so with the support of a respected brand and a committed executive team.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

NIC Academy Strategy & Execution

• Develop, implement, and maintain a comprehensive curriculum plan for NIC Academy professional education programs for investment and finance professionals in the senior housing and care industry. The curriculum plan will include the strategy for new course and certificate program development and updating course content annually.
• Develop and implement an accreditation strategy for NIC Academy programs.
• Design and manage the process for selecting and onboarding instructors, including clearly defining and communicating instructional expectations and standards. Deploy an effective learning management system for online programs.
• Prepare budgets and investment model for NIC Academy, including a 5-year projection of net operating income and estimate of terminal value for analyzing expected returns, monthly financial reports, and financial metrics.
• As the staff liaison to the NIC Academy Advisory Board, prepare presentations and reports to the NIC Academy Advisory Board, schedule and lead their meetings, and prepare presentations for the NIC Board of Directors and NIC Staff at their scheduled meetings.
• Partner with the Marketing Team to develop and implement NIC Academy marketing expectations and an annual comprehensive marketing plan for attracting and retaining customers and total addressable market including value proposition, competitive differentiation, pricing, and marketing metrics for analyzing effectiveness of email and social media campaigns.
• Monitor and analyze market trends for professional education, sponsorships, and new target audiences to identify opportunities for growth and prepare an annual Market Assessment Report.
• Monitor and analyze market trends and prepare quarterly reports for EduTech industry including new startups, IPOs, and acquisitions.
• Present at conferences and events to promote NIC Academy program including in person at NIC Conferences, Board meetings, Conference Program Committee meetings, industry, and trade association events,  
• Collaborate with and manage key vendors including instructional designers and videographers.

• Collaborate with industry associations, groups, and senior services organizations to participate in industry-wide professional education initiatives.
• Demonstrate NIC Values for Taking Pride in Our Work, Partnering with Others, being a Spark, and Investing in Ourselves.
• Other duties as assigned.

Core Competencies

• Ability to work independently and collaboratively with internal and external resources to understand, contribute to, and execute on a variety of strategies and tactics to support goals.
• Excellent quantitative and verbal and written communication skills.
• Possesses a constructive mindset, is solutions oriented, enjoys working collaboratively, and excels in a remote environment.
• Strong project management skills.
• Expert competencies for Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, SharePoint)
• Moderate competencies for Salesforce, Adobe Suite (InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop), Pardot, WordPress, HTML/CSS, SEO, SEM, Google Analytics, Asana, website development, and podcast production.

Key Priorities in Year One
As NIC Academy enters a critical growth phase, the Director will lead efforts to expand its reach, sharpen its competitive positioning, and drive enrollment performance. This includes developing and executing a targeted marketing and sales strategy, improving conversion rates, and elevating the Academy’s presence across the industry. The role requires a strategic thinker who can assess the professional development landscape, strengthen curricular offerings in alignment with market needs, and build a scalable, financially sound model. As a visible ambassador for NIC Academy, the Director will also play a key role in representing the organization at industry events to generate awareness and engagement.

• Drive Marketing Performance: Develop and execute a focused marketing and sales strategy to increase program awareness and inquiries, with a specific focus on converting interest into enrollment.
• Elevate Conversion Rates: Improve upon a historical inquiry-to-enrollment conversion rate through optimized messaging, better lead qualification, and personal engagement.
• Establish Competitive Positioning: Conduct research and analysis of peer and competitive professional development offerings to sharpen NIC Academy’s value proposition and identify opportunities for differentiation.
• Strengthen Curricular Strategy: In collaboration with NIC leadership and subject matter experts, help shape the future curriculum roadmap — prioritizing offerings that respond to industry trends and align with learner demand.
• Build a Scalable Model: Lead the development of a sustainable business model, including a 3-year financial plan and ROI framework that aligns with NIC’s long-term strategic and financial objectives.
• Be Present and Visible: Serve as a visible ambassador of NIC Academy at conferences and convenings to promote programs and generate interest among prospective learners.

Management/Supervisory Responsibilities

• Supervise full-time and part-time employees, including annual performance expectations and assessments.
• Establish clear expectations, metrics, and goals for employee performance.
• Develop an annual performance plan for employees including key outcomes and professional development.
• Conduct regular one-on-one meetings with direct reports to maintain open communication, assess workload, and assist with establishing priorities.
• Conduct performance evaluations that are timely and constructive to provide feedback to employees.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business or education or related field or equivalent experience.
• Documented competencies in online course development and growing online enrolments of students.
• Profit and loss accountability with a track record for preparing investment models and growing operating income.

• Minimum of 7 years relevant work experience.
• Strong project management skills with the ability to multitask and meet deadlines.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Demonstrated experience working with C-Suite.
• Demonstrated experience in achieving program and course accreditations.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in business or education.

• Demonstrated commitment to continuous improvement with professional certifications in online instructional design, adult learning, professional education, and software applications.
• Understanding of the Senior Housing and Care Industry.

Job Location

• The position is located at the NIC Office in Annapolis, MD.
• The successful candidate will live within a two-hour commute of the NIC Office.
• With the consent of the CEO, the successful candidate may work remotely in accordance with the NIC telecommuting policy.
• The successful candidate will be required to be in the NIC Office for monthly All Staff Meeting Weeks and may be required to be in the office when the CEO is working from the office.

Travel Requirement

• Ability to travel up to 10% of the year.

Application Process

• Interested and qualified candidates are welcome to submit a resume and cover letter to:  DirectorNICAcademy@kornferry.com

Work Environment/Physical Demands

• Work is generally remote but when working in the NIC office environment there may be exposure to moderate noise levels. Work involves operation of personal computer equipment for six to eight hours daily or prolonged periods of time and includes physical demands associated with a traditional office setting, e.g., walking, standing, communicating, and other physical functions, as necessary. Physical requirements of this position include the following:

  Lifting up to 25 lbs
  The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate

NIC is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and it makes employment decisions on the basis of qualifications, merit and business need. NIC doesn’t discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, non-disqualifying physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status or any other basis covered by appropriate law.

NIC is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. In keeping with our commitment, NIC will take steps to ensure that people with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations.