Education & Certification Programs Manager

Celebrating over 60 years of excellence, education, and advocacy, the International Franchise Association (IFA) is the world's oldest and largest organization representing franchising globally. The IFA's mission is to protect, enhance, and promote franchising through government relations, public relations, and educational programs. IFA members adhere to the highest standards, including franchise companies in over 120 business format categories, individual franchisees, and companies supporting the industry in marketing, law, and business development.

This is a full-time, hybrid role for an
Education & Certification Programs Manager
located in Washington, DC.

The Manager, Education & Certification Programs for the International Franchise Association (IFA) plays a pivotal role in cultivating strong member relationships, deepening engagement with key stakeholders, and advancing programs that grow participation and impact across IFA's education portfolio. This role blends program administration with relationship management, customer success, and event execution.

Serving as the primary point of contact for certification candidates, the Manager ensures that IFA's programs are effectively promoted, highly accessible, and delivered with exceptional quality—driving enrollment, retention, and meaningful value for members and the broader franchise community.

IFA currently offers two certification programs—the Certified Franchise Executive (CFE) and the Broker Certification—and is actively expanding its portfolio of professional credentials.

Key Responsibilities:

Certification Program Management

• Serve as the primary contact for certification inquiries, including candidate progress, renewals, graduate recognition, and credential verification.
• Process and manage certification program enrollments and renewals from start to finish, including application review, outreach calls, invoicing, and recordkeeping.
• Maintain accurate data in Nimble, TopClass, Salesforce, and IFA Academy, ensuring timely credit assignment, renewals, and updates for graduates.
• Monitor and process certification credit requests, evaluate eligibility, and update certification schedules and records.
• Produce a monthly certification newsletter and contribute relevant content to other IFA publications.

Candidate Outreach & Growth

• Execute proactive outreach to prospective and stalled candidates, including phone and email campaigns, to drive enrollment and renewals.
• Provide guidance to candidates on efficient completion pathways, course selection, and program requirements.
• Build strong relationships with participants to enhance satisfaction and increase engagement with IFA's education portfolio.

Virtual & In-Person Education Support

• Coordinate and deliver IFA's Virtual Classroom sessions, including scheduling facilitators, conducting prep meetings, providing in-session technical support, and managing attendance and credits.
• Support Foundations of Franchising enrollments and coordination, including communication with the University of Louisville.
• Assist with webinars, workshops, and in-person programs at IFA events to ensure seamless execution and participant experience.

Events & Certification Milestones

• Lead the planning and execution of certification program graduation reception and recognition at IFA's Annual Convention.
• Provide on-site support for certification and education sessions at IFA events.

Marketing & Promotion

• Partner with Marketing to create and execute promotional strategies that grow certification enrollment and engagement.
• Maintain a strong digital presence for certification and education programs across IFA communication channels, including social platforms and

Reporting & Financial Processes

• Track enrollments, completions, and program outcomes to measure success and support continuous improvement.
• Update learner counts, budget performance metrics, and quarterly revenue share reports; collaborate with accounting to ensure accurate partner payments and revenue tracking.
• Process refunds and support accounts receivable reviews as needed.

Collaboration & Content Management

• Collaborate with the Education team, volunteer advisors, and subject-matter experts to gather feedback, source new content, and enhance offerings.
• Work with the IFA Academy team to ensure educational content is accurate, organized, and accessible.
• Contribute to program development by providing templates, guidance, and support for presenters and facilitators.

Requirements:

• 3–5 years of experience in program management, certification, customer success, or education administration (association/nonprofit experience preferred).
• Strong relationship management and persuasive communication skills, with proven ability to engage stakeholders.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Salesforce (or similar CRM), Zoom, SurveyMonkey, and ability to learn systems such as Nimble and TopClass.
• Highly organized, detail-oriented, and analytical; able to manage multiple priorities with accuracy and efficiency.
• Comfortable leading virtual sessions, supporting live events, and troubleshooting technical issues.
• Curious, resourceful, and proactive; committed to continuous improvement of both programs and processes.

Salary: $75,000 to $85,000 DOE

To apply send cover letter and resume to

The International Franchise Association is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status, or any other category prohibited by local, state or federal law. This policy applies to all aspects of employment, including recruitment, promotion, compensation, benefits, and termination. IFA is firmly committed to achieving an inclusive, diverse workforce that values every individual. We firmly believe that hiring individuals with varying perspectives and backgrounds contributes to our success as an organization, and we strive to create an environment that fosters inclusiveness.