NRECA is a unique national trade association providing advocacy, financial services, and business support services to more than 900 consumer‑owned electric cooperatives across the country. NRECA employees are united by our mission, inclusive culture, collaborative workplace, and commitment to service excellence. As a “best place to work” employer, we operate with integrity, transparency, and a spirit of innovation.
NRECA’s Education, Training & Events team designs, delivers, and facilitates high-impact learning experiences and events—both online and in person-that empower cooperative leaders and staff to guide their organizations and communities into the future. The portfolio includes certification programs, a robust education curriculum of 100+ courses, leadership development programs, a trade show, thought leadership events and multi-day conferences. This position is located in our Arlington, VA Headquarters and would be eligible for NRECA’s hybrid schedule which allows flexibility to work from home up to 2 days per/week.
Position Summary:
We are looking for a senior-level instructional designer to manage and advance NRECA’s director education portfolio with a focus on strengthening board governance excellence across the electric cooperative network. This role blends deep understanding of electric cooperative governance and board leadership practices with a strong passion for instructional design and adult learning innovation to position NRECA as the industry leader in governance education. Designs, develops, and delivers high-impact learning experiences for NRECA’s 7,000-member board community—leveraging modern instructional design methodologies, innovative technologies, and diverse delivery channels. Owns the lifecycle of director education programming—from research and design through development, marketing, delivery, and evaluation—while ensuring alignment with strategic priorities, budget expectations, and evolving governance needs. Contributes content expertise to flagship programs including Directors Conference, Winter and Summer Schools, and other key NRECA events.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
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Leverages an understanding of the cooperative business model and electric cooperative board governance practices to research, design and develop innovative courses that enhance NRECA’s board of directors education portfolio.
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Leads the design of a cohesive, high-impact learning portfolio that blends in-person and digital experiences for cooperative boards of directors. Applies deep instructional design expertise to translate complex governance challenges into practical, competency-based learning solutions with clear, measurable learning objectives.
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Creates dynamic, learner-centered materials that bring content to life—including presentations, participant guides, job aids, video tutorials, and interactive simulations—tailored to engage and meet the needs of cooperative board members.
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Incorporates innovative and technology-driven instructional strategies for both online and in-person delivery, understands varied learning delivery channels and best practices to improve the effectiveness of education course development, learning application and retention.
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Recruits, develops, and supports a network of 20+ contracted instructors—setting clear expectations for instructional quality, providing coaching and feedback, and ensuring a consistent, high-caliber learning experience.
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Designs and shapes meaningful learning experiences by defining curriculum purpose, understanding audience needs, and crafting compelling value propositions.
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Implements tactics to ensure learners are fully prepared before a course and stay engaged beyond the program.
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Conducts review cycles and facilitates subject-matter expert ideation sessions. Identifies and partners with governance experts and experienced instructors to ensure content is relevantand impactful.
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Evaluates program effectiveness through participant feedback and performance insights; applies findings to continuously refine curriculum, enhance learning outcomes, and support data-informed decision-making.
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Consults the budget for assigned programs to meet assigned net revenue margins.
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Builds relationships with NRECA departments, member cooperative employees and network partnersto stay on top of trends and issues that impact electric cooperatives.
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Collaborates with conference program managers to generate content ideas for director education events such as Director’s Conference and NRECA’s Summer and Winter Schools for Directors.
Required Qualifications and Skills
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Bachelor’s degree in education, communications, business, accounting, or utility industry related degree.
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Seven or more years of experience in designing, developing content for in-person and online programs and conferences.
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Experience working with competency frameworks and using them to develop curriculum and programs.
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Experience using Articulate 360 and other development tools including InDesign, PowerPoint, Adobe Premiere, among others. AI tools experience a plus.
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Expertise with a Learning Management System (LMS) for delivery of programs and online collaboraton tools.
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Employment experience in a member-based organization’s (association) educational department and experience managing externally contracted projects a plus.
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Association for Talent Development (ATD), American Society for Association Executives (ASAE) certification or equivalent and/or professional certification or licensure a plus.
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Knowledge of governance education either as practitioner, board member or board liaison.
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Knowledge of adult learning principles and instructional frameworks.
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Knowledge of instructional design theory, models and best practices for both in-person and online education program development.
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Knowledge of learning management systems (LMSs) as well as tools such as InDesign, PowerPoint, Adobe Premiere and Articulate 360.
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Ability to lead functional teams without direct supervisory authority over team members.
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Ability to manage competing deadlines and multiple education programs at various stages of development using effective organization skills and attention to detail.
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Ability to produce innovative education programs that meet learners’ needs and enhances on-the-job performance while producing positive revenue results.
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Ability to communicate, both verbally and in writing, with a diverse membership, employees and/or vendors in a clear and precise manner.
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Ability to develop and deliver effective and engaging presentations.
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Ability to use Microsoft Office tools (Excel, Word, Outlook, Power Point) and artificial intelligence tools and applications in the day-to-day essential duties of the job.
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Ability to operate various office equipment such as personal computer, copier, printer, fax machine or other job-related equipment.
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Ability to provide service excellence by building relationships, being resourceful.
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Ability to report to the office when required.
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Ability to travel.
Essential Physical Requirements:
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The worker is required to have close visual acuity to perform an activity such as: preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcribing; viewing a computer terminal and extensive reading.
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Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. If the use of arm and/or leg controls requires exertion of forces greater than that for sedentary work and the worker sits most of the time, the job is rated for light work.
Salary Range: $123,000–$152,000 annual salary
Final compensation determined by individual qualifications, experience, and internal equity.
Disclaimer Statement: The preceding job description has been written to reflect management’s assignment of essential functions. It does not prescribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned
Additional Requirement:
The preceding job description has been written to reflect management’s assignment of essential functions. It does not prescribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, or other legally protected status.
NRECA is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with physical and mental disabilities. If you need special assistance or an accommodation while seeking employment, please e-mail [email protected] or call: 703-907-5992 - NRECA Arlington Human Resources. Please call 402-483-9275 - NRECA Lincoln Human Resources, for Lincoln, NE employment opportunities. We will make a determination on your request for reasonable accommodation on a case-by-case basis.
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) recently released the 'Know Your Rights' poster, which updates and replaces the previous "EEO is the Law" poster and "EEO Is the Law Poster Supplement".
Pay Transparency Non-Discrimination. NRECA will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay. Please see the Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision for more information.
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For more information about life at NRECA please visit www.Electric.coop.
