Vice President of Education - Hybrid

Schaumburg, IL, The opportunity The American Foundry Society is creating a new executive role to lead the AFS Institute, the education and training arm of the Society and, for more than two decades, the primary source of technical workforce development for the North American metalcasting industry. In 2026, the AFS Board of Directors adopted a five-year Education Roadmap developed by a task force of foundry executives, Institute instructors, university faculty, and AFS staff. The roadmap sets four goals: structured career pathways and stackable credentials; new programming for supervisors, managers, and senior leaders; technology-enabled content and delivery, including AI-assisted personalized learning; and workforce pipeline partnerships. The Board has committed dedicated funding to the roadmap and has asked staff to deploy it deliberately, through pilots, decision gates, and measurable outcomes. The Vice President of Education will own that roadmap from here: refining it, executing it, and reporting on it. The Institute today offers roughly 35 classroom and virtual courses a year and more than 110 Foundry eLearning modules in English and Spanish, with certificate programs launched in 2026. It has the deepest technical catalog in the field and a loyal base of corporate subscribers. We are seeking someone to build on that foundation with pathway guidance, leadership programming, and a more personalized digital learning experience. You do not need to know metalcasting, but you do need a willingness to learn the industry. Foundries are essential to defense, energy, infrastructure, and transportation; the industry is facing a retirement cliff; and every plant is promoting excellent people off the shop floor into supervision with little preparation for leading others. It is a rare chance to shape how a foundational industry develops its people. What you will do

Lead execution of the FY2027-FY2031 AFS Institute Education Roadmap, including its pilot, review, and scale decision gates and the outcomes the Board expects to see. Lead the Institute's experienced team, including the Director of Training Solutions, and build the additional capacity the roadmap requires. Own the education portfolio: course quality, instructor engagement, learner experience, pricing, and financial performance across classroom, virtual, in-plant, regional, and online delivery. Refine the career pathways framework, stackable credentials, and establish a career concierge approach that helps individuals and member companies know what to take, in what order, and why. Launch programming for mid-career and senior leaders and investigate a partner-delivered leadership and management pilot. Direct the learning technology agenda: the LMS evaluation and platform considerations, AI-assisted learning, event content capture, and an on-demand content library. Grow partnerships with apprenticeship programs, the Foundry Educational Foundation, universities, and peer organizations. Serve on the senior leadership team and work as a peer with the leaders of AFS's other divisions. Nearly everything the Institute does touches another division, and this role gets results with and through those teams.

Who we are looking for

Ten or more years of progressively responsible experience in professional education, workforce development, learning and development, or association education, including leading staff and a multi-year program portfolio. A track record of building and scaling adult learning programs, credentials, or certificate programs, with accountability for budgets, pricing, and results. Fluency with learning management systems and online learning. Experience with cohort-based or partner-delivered programs is a plus. A collaborative operating style and the judgment to know when to lead, when to support, and when to let a colleague's team carry the ball. Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree in education, business, organizational development, or a related field preferred. Curiosity about manufacturing. Knowledge of metalcasting or manufacturing is helpful but not required.

Location and travel The position is hybrid, anchored at AFS headquarters in Schaumburg, Illinois. Many Institute courses are held at headquarters, and the Vice President is expected to attend several each year, along with regular presence for staff leadership and Board activity. Preference is given to Chicagoland-based candidates; we will also consider strong candidates outside the region and those willing to relocate. Periodic travel is required for events including conferences, chapter meetings, and other activities. Compensation and benefits The salary range for this position is $150,000 to $175,000, and the position is eligible for an annual discretionary bonus. AFS offers medical, dental, and vision insurance; a 401(k) plan with employer contribution; paid time off, vacation time and holidays; and professional development support.