Director Training Education APCO Institute

Every day, Americans across the country rely on 9-1-1 telecommunicators to protect them and their loved ones during emergencies. The APCO Institute, part of APCO International, is at the center of workforce training and standards development for this critical first link in the emergency response chain. As Director, you will lead the strategic direction, operational performance, and overall success of the Institute, ensuring that 25K+ public safety communications professionals nationwide receive high-quality, standards-based training and continuing education that prepares them to make decisions that save lives.

With a strong operational foundation and a clear mandate for continued growth, you will guide the Institute into its next chapter by setting the vision and priorities for adult and professional learning, curriculum modernization, and market-responsive program development. Your leadership will help APCO expand its impact, reach new audiences, and strengthen the Institute’s role as a trusted partner in workforce training.

Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, you’ll lead a multidisciplinary team of approximately 14 staff overseeing standards development, course delivery, and curriculum design, and oversee a $6.7MM budget with a significant contribution margin that directly supports APCO’s membership and overall operations.

This is a highly visible and collaborative role focused on strategy, operations, and external engagement, requiring expert interpersonal and communication skills. In addition to effectively managing and coordinating staff, you’ll regularly engage with peer organizations on joint standards initiatives, committees and work groups of subject matter experts, public safety agency partners, adjunct instructors who train on behalf of APCO, and other industry stakeholders.

This role is ideal for an experienced leader who can anticipate trends, guide complex initiatives, build consensus across diverse stakeholders, and implement solutions that prepare this essential workforce for the challenges of tomorrow.

This role offers a unique opportunity to shape the future of a nationally respected leader in public safety communications workforce development. Your leadership will strengthen APCO’s impact and elevate the profession by improving training and support systems that help agencies reduce turnover and better equip telecommunicators to manage the high-stress nature of their work. Success in your first 1-2 years will be demonstrated by:

• Achieving revenue growth by meeting or exceeding the Institute’s $3.5MM annual goal and driving year-over-year increases through expanded enrollment across live virtual, on-demand, and in-person modalities.
• Analyzing and optimizing the Institute’s 50+ training programs—spanning entry-level courses to executive leadership tracks—to ensure effectiveness, financial sustainability, standards integration, and alignment with best practices in adult learning.
• Leading change management for the launch of a new association management system and the selection and implementation of a new learning management system, leveraging tools to streamline processes and improve the learner experience.
• Sustaining the Institute’s high-performing, collaborative team culture by evaluating team structure, providing professional development opportunities, and implementing workflow improvements that enable staff to deliver their best work.

• This role is based on-site at our Daytona Beach, FL headquarters, where you will collaborate closely with the APCO Institute team five days a week.
• The budgeted salary range for this position is $130K–$140K with an outstanding benefits package that includes 13 paid company holidays; comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage with an HSA option; disability insurance; basic life and AD&D insurance; a 401(k) with an 8% employer match; and additional benefits.
• You will be part of an organization of dedicated, mission-driven leaders who are passionate about public service and committed to making a meaningful impact.

• Define and implement the strategic vision for the…