Executive Director, Medical Programs

Job Title 

Job Description

For more than 80 years, Kaplan has been a trailblazer in education and professional advancement. We are a global company at the intersection of education and technology, focused on collaboration, innovation, and creativity to deliver a best-in-class educational experience and make Kaplan a great place to work.

The future of education is here and we are eager to work alongside those who want to make a positive impact and inspire change in the world around them.

The Executive Director, Medical Programs is a seasoned leader passionate about developing products that wow the customer and meet currently unmet needs. This role is responsible for driving operational excellence, fostering innovation in product development, and achieving growth in market share and profitability. The leader of our medical product suite will focus on enhancing student outcomes, optimizing resources, and strengthening partnerships with educational institutions, all while ensuring a streamlined, impactful curriculum aligned with industry standards. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in education, test preparation, and/or curriculum development with a demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams and drive meaningful change.

Primary Responsibilities:

1. Strategic Leadership

• Define and execute a clear strategic vision for the medical test preparation business, aligning with corporate goals and market demands.

• Analyze industry trends, competitive landscape, and customer needs to shape product offerings and operational strategies.

• Cultivate partnerships with academic institutions, medical schools, and professional organizations to expand market reach and product credibility.

2. Product Development and Innovation

• Oversee the design, development, and continuous improvement of the test preparation curriculum and related products to ensure alignment with medical licensure standards.

• Implement cutting-edge technologies (AI, adaptive learning) to personalize learning experiences, enhance user engagement, and improve outcomes.

• Ensure content quality and relevance through collaboration with subject matter experts, educators, and instructional designers.

3. Operational Management

• Direct daily operations across product, sales, marketing, and customer service teams to ensure cohesive execution of strategic goals.

• Optimize resource allocation and manage budgets to achieve financial targets, drive efficiency, and ensure sustainable growth.

• Establish and monitor KPIs to assess program effectiveness, customer satisfaction, and team performance.

4. Customer and Stakeholder Focus

• Engage with customers, educators, and institutional partners to gather feedback and insights for continuous improvement.

• Ensure the product suite supports students in meeting exam requirements, achieving licensure, and becoming practice-ready professionals.

• Represent the company at industry events, conferences, and with key stakeholders to build brand awareness and thought leadership.

5. People Management and Development

• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing team across sales, marketing, product, and support functions.

• Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous learning to support employee growth and retention.

• Promote cross-functional alignment and effective communication within the team and across other departments.

6. Risk Management and Compliance

• Identify and mitigate potential risks to the business, ensuring alignment with legal, regulatory, and ethical standards.

• Ensure all content meets accreditation and licensure standards and aligns with best practices for medical education and test preparation.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in education, business, healthcare, or a related field; 

• Experience: 10+ years of experience in education, test preparation, curriculum development, or healthcare sectors, with at least 5 years in a senior management role.

• Proven track record of leading a product-focused organization and achieving revenue and growth targets.

• Strong understanding of medical education, testing standards, and the licensing environment (e.g., USMLE, NCLEX).

• Exceptional strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities with a focus on innovation and operational efficiency.

• Ability to lead, inspire, and manage cross-functional teams.

• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills with internal teams, clients, and partners.

• Results-Oriented: Focus on achieving goals, driving financial performance, and enhancing customer satisfaction.

• Innovative Mindset: Proactively identify opportunities to incorporate new technologies and methodologies in test preparation.

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Leverage data and analytics to make informed strategic and operational decisions.
  Customer-Centric Approach: Dedicated to understanding and exceeding the needs of students, faculty, and institutional partners.
   

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree (MBA, M.Ed., or related field) preferred.

We offer a competitive benefits package including:

Remote work providing flexible work/life balance
Comprehensive Retirement Package automatically enrolled in The Company Contribution Plan (8-10% annual company contribution based on tenure)
Our Gift of Knowledge Program provides tuition assistance and substantial discounts for our employees and close family members
Competitive health benefits and new hire eligibility starts day-1 of employment
Generous Paid Time Off includes paid holidays, vacation, personal, sick paid time-off, plus one (1) volunteer day and one (1) diversity and inclusion day to participate and give back to our local communities
And so much more!

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For full-time positions, Kaplan has two Salary Grades, this position is a Salary Grade B: $64,000 - $202,600. Actual compensation for this role is determined by several factors including but not limited to job level, candidate's skills, experience, and education, among other factors determined by the business.

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Business Unit

At Kaplan, we recognize the importance of attracting and retaining top talent to drive our success in a competitive market. Our salary structure and compensation philosophy reflect the value we place on the experience, education, and skills that our employees bring to the organization, taking into consideration labor market trends and total rewards.  All positions with Kaplan are paid at least $15 per hour or $31,200 per year for full-time positions. Additionally, certain positions are bonus or commission-eligible.   And we have a comprehensive benefits package, learn more about our benefits here.

Diversity & Inclusion Statement:

Kaplan is committed to cultivating an inclusive workplace that values diversity, promotes equity, and integrates inclusivity into all aspects of our operations. We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment regardless of age, race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, veteran status, nationality, or sex. We believe that diversity strengthens our organization, fuels innovation, and improves our ability to serve our students, customers, and communities. Learn more about our culture here.

Kaplan considers qualified applicants for employment even if applicants have an arrest or conviction in their background check records. Kaplan complies with related background check regulations, including but not limited to, the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act.  There are various positions where certain convictions may disqualify applicants, such as those positions requiring interaction with minors, financial records, or other sensitive and/or confidential information.