Director of Continuing and Professional Education

Career Guide

A Director of Continuing and Professional Education leads short-form, workforce, and adult learning programs that help learners build practical skills and earn credentials. The role blends academic quality, market-aligned program design, partnerships with employers, and revenue responsibility while ensuring a strong learner experience.

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Key Responsibilities

Set the strategy and annual goals for continuing and professional education
Identify high-demand skill areas using labor market research and employer feedback
Build new programs, certificates, and short courses from concept to launch
Manage program budgets, pricing, and financial performance
Oversee enrollment goals, marketing plans, and recruitment pipelines
Lead faculty, instructors, program managers, and support staff
Create partnerships with employers, professional associations, and community organizations
Ensure program quality, learning outcomes, and continuous improvement
Negotiate contracts for customized training and external partnerships
Track performance metrics and report results to senior leadership
Improve learner services including advising, onboarding, and career support
Ensure compliance with institutional policies and relevant regulations

Top Skills for Success

Strategic Planning

Program Development

Budget Management

Revenue Management

Market Research

Employer Partnerships

Contract Negotiation

Marketing Strategy

Enrollment Management

Instructional Quality Assurance

Team Leadership

Stakeholder Management

Data Analysis

Change Management

Project Management

Career Progression

Can Lead To

Senior Director of Continuing and Professional Education

Assistant Dean for Workforce and Professional Education

Executive Director of Workforce Development

Associate Vice President for Continuing Education

Vice President for Workforce and Community Education

Transition Opportunities

Director of Workforce Development

Director of Corporate Training

Director of Academic Program Management

Director of Online Learning

Director of Partnerships and Business Development

Common Skill Gaps

Often Missing Skills

Pricing StrategyContract ManagementSales Pipeline ManagementMarketing Performance MeasurementEmployer Needs AssessmentProgram Profitability AnalysisDigital Program DeliveryInstructor Talent Management

Development SuggestionsBuild experience owning a full program budget, pricing, and targets. Partner closely with marketing and employer relations teams to learn lead generation and partnership contracting. Strengthen data skills by setting a small set of core metrics and reviewing them monthly to guide decisions.

Market Intelligence Report

Director of Continuing and Professional Education is part of the Education Administration category.Explore our market intelligence report to see how AI and hiring demand are shifting for these roles.

See the market intelligence report

Salary & Demand

Median Salary Range

Entry Level$90,000 to $115,000

Mid Level$115,000 to $150,000

Senior Level$150,000 to $200,000

Growth Trend

Demand is steady to growing, driven by reskilling needs, employer-sponsored training, and increased interest in short credentials. Hiring is strongest at universities, community colleges, and education organizations expanding workforce-focused programs.

Companies Hiring

Major Employers

Universities and university extension unitsCommunity collegesTechnical collegesWorkforce development boardsEducation technology companiesProfessional associationsHealthcare systemsLarge employers with corporate learning teams

Industry Sectors

Higher EducationWorkforce DevelopmentCorporate LearningEducation TechnologyHealthcareGovernmentNonprofit

Recommended Next Steps

Create a one-page program portfolio plan with target audiences, outcomes, and revenue goals

Interview 10 employers in a priority industry to validate skill needs and training formats

Audit existing programs for enrollment, completion, satisfaction, and profitability

Build a quarterly dashboard with clear metrics and an action plan tied to results

Develop a partnership outreach list and schedule regular meetings with employer leaders

Standardize a course launch process including timeline, staffing, and quality checks

Strengthen instructor recruiting and onboarding to improve consistency and learner experience