Senior Director, Certification and Recognition

Company Description

Scaled Agile, Inc., (SAI) helps enterprises thrive in a world of change with SAFe, the most trusted system for learning and practicing agile ways of working. Together, SAFe Studio and SAFe’s proven framework provide everything individuals and teams need to link evolving strategy and execution. SAFe works by building a culture of resiliency that engages employees and focuses on customers so organizations can work with agility. Backed by a global network of partners and community of professionals, SAFe promotes collaboration so today’s leaders can build a better future.

Based in Boulder, Colorado, SAI is a member of the Pledge 1% corporate philanthropy movement. Through this program, SAI contributes to the local community and seeks to inspire and encourage other companies to the same purpose.

Job Description

The Senior Director of Certification and Recognition role is pivotal in driving revenue growth and generating demand for Scaled Agile's Certification and Recognition program. This role will oversee the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of strategies to monetize the various areas of the Certification and Recognition program. A successful candidate will work alongside a team of certification and recognition professionals and collaborate with key stakeholders to drive revenue growth, enhance brand recognition, and increase industry credibility. This role is a key stakeholder on the SAFe Professional business segment leadership team and is directly responsible for meeting objectives around certification-specific billings and growth.

Core Responsibilities:

Program Strategy and Execution

• Develop and execute a comprehensive strategy to drive billings growth, enhance perceived value, and meet the evolving needs of our customers, including SAFe professionals, consultants, and trainers
• Create a compelling vision for certification and recognition offerings that captivate our customers, increase the number of certified professionals, the average number of offerings per customer, and the average renewal rate
• Collaborate with the Certification and Recognition Architect to design certification and recognition offerings to ensure they reflect the skills and knowledge required by industry professionals while propelling revenue

Launching New Initiatives

• Work with various stakeholders to design a stackable micro-certification strategy that aligns with industry needs and provides opportunities for continuous professional development
• Launch new initiatives to increase brand awareness and industry credibility, showcasing the skills and knowledge of SAFe-certified professionals
• Foster partnerships with industry experts, analysts, and organizations to increase the visibility and credibility of the SAFe Professional Certification and Recognition program

Assessment Development and Improvement

• Support assessment development, including maintenance, translations, and all development activities/work
• Work with the Certification and Recognition team to aggregate, review, summarize, and act on feedback that will help continuously improve the program
• Identify and define iterations to the Certification and Recognition offering, and collaborate with stakeholders to prioritize new features on the roadmap 

Team Leadership and Stakeholder Engagement

• Act as a People Manager for the Certification and Recognition team through coaching, guidance, and support of the department and the personal growth of team members
• Synthesize detailed program data into executive-level summaries to communicate program progress, including key performance indicators, to stakeholders
• Manage relationships with key stakeholders, including certification partners, industry leaders, and customers, to identify and address market trends and opportunities

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Education, or a related field; Master's degree preferred
• A minimum of 10 years of experience in a leadership role, focusing on certification, credentialing, or professional development programs
• Proven success in developing and executing successful certification strategies that drive revenue growth and customer satisfaction
• Exceptional people management skills, with experience building and leading high-performing teams
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities, focusing on data-driven decision-making
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build relationships and influence stakeholders at all levels
• Knowledge of Agile methodologies and Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe)