Senior Director Certifications

Institute for Healthcare Improvement

Senior Director, Certification

About IHI 

The Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) is a leading, globally recognized not-for-profit health care improvement organization that has been applying evidence-based quality improvement methods to meet current and future health care challenges for more than 30 years. IHI provides millions of people in health care with methods, tools, and resources to make care better, safer, and more equitable; convenes experts to enable knowledge sharing and peer-learning; and advises health systems and hospitals of all sizes in improving their systems and outcomes at scale. IHI's mission is to innovate and lead transformational improvement in health and health care worldwide.

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

Disclaimer

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list or comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, skills, and qualifications required.

At IHI, we are inspired to do our best work and be our best selves by leaning into our values and uniting in our vision to create a future in which everyone has the best care and health possible. We ensure that people feel valued and supported in meaningful ways, as demonstrated in our total rewards package that features competitive compensation, medical, dental and vision coverage, life and disability plans, FSA plans, matching 401k contributions, generous time off including vacation time, sick time, and other special programs to support employee wellbeing.

IHI is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and an affirmative action employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, religion, sex or gender, marital status, national origin or ancestry, disability, veteran status, military service, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, crime victim status, political belief, and any other protected class under applicable law. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation to complete our application, please let us know. Veterans are encouraged to apply.