Manager, Test Development

Job description

**This position is listed on behalf of a partner company, which manages all applications and next steps. Our partner is looking for a Manager, Test Development based in the United States.** We are seeking an experienced Manager, Test Development with strong expertise in mathematics and educational assessment to lead the development of high-quality standardized assessments for students from kindergarten through high school. In this role, you will help shape innovative testing methodologies, guide content development initiatives, and ensure assessment programs meet rigorous technical and educational standards. You will collaborate with internal teams, education specialists, clients, and senior stakeholders to deliver effective assessment solutions that support meaningful learning outcomes. The position combines strategic leadership, project oversight, content expertise, and stakeholder engagement, with opportunities to contribute to new assessment approaches and product innovation. You will also support team development, manage project risks, and help ensure that deliverables meet established timelines, budgets, and client expectations. This remote-first opportunity is ideal for an education assessment professional who thrives on complex challenges and is passionate about advancing the quality and effectiveness of educational measurement. ### Accountabilities: - **Test Development Leadership:** Lead and contribute to the design, development, and implementation of large-scale standardized assessments, ensuring alignment with educational standards, assessment objectives, and established quality requirements. - **Team and Project Management:** Manage and support test developers and item writers as needed, providing guidance, coordinating responsibilities, and ensuring assessment projects progress efficiently and meet agreed-upon objectives. - **Mathematics Content Expertise:** Apply advanced mathematics and mathematics education knowledge to review assessment content, evaluate test items, and ensure accuracy, relevance, rigor, and alignment with learning standards. - **Assessment Strategy and Innovation:** Contribute to the development and execution of complex test development strategies, helping introduce innovative approaches to assessment design, content creation, and implementation. - **Client and Stakeholder Management:** Establish clear expectations with clients and collaborators, respond to requests promptly, resolve issues thoroughly, and maintain productive working relationships throughout the assessment development lifecycle. - **Risk and Project Oversight:** Identify potential risks affecting project scope, timelines, budgets, or deliverable quality. Escalate complex issues, monitor mitigation efforts, and collaborate with relevant stakeholders to implement effective solutions. - **Cross-Functional Collaboration:** Work across departments and disciplines to coordinate assessment activities, resolve challenges, and ensure alignment between content development, project management, and broader organizational priorities. - **Technical Review and Quality Assurance:** Serve as a senior-level reviewer across assessment projects, evaluating content quality, test specifications, and development outputs to ensure accuracy, consistency, and compliance with applicable requirements. - **Client Presentations and Advisory Meetings:** Represent the content development function in Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) meetings and other stakeholder discussions. Present findings and recommendations to clients, senior leaders, and subject matter experts. - **Assessment Standard Setting:** Support and facilitate standard-setting activities, content advisory sessions, rubric validation, range-finding exercises, data reviews, and other meetings that inform assessment quality and scoring decisions. - **Training and Knowledge Development:** Lead or contribute to training initiatives for content and test development teams, including preparation for standard-setting activities and the adoption of effective assessment development practices. - **Proposal Development:** Contribute independently to proposal preparation and related business development activities, providing subject matter expertise and recommendations that support new opportunities. - **Continuous Improvement:** Identify opportunities to strengthen assessment methodologies, improve workflows, and introduce innovative products and processes that enhance the effectiveness of educational assessment programs. ## Requirements: - **Education:** Bachelor's degree in Mathematics, Mathematics Education, or a related field, with a master's degree preferred. - **Professional Experience:** At least eight years of experience leading the development of content for large-scale summative assessments, or equivalent relevant professional experience. - **Management Experience:** At least three years of experience in people management, project management, or a comparable leadership role. - **Mathematics Expertise:** Deep subject matter knowledge in mathematics and the ability to evaluate complex educational content, assessment items, and learning standards. - **Educational Assessment Knowledge:** Strong understanding of the U.S. education system and educational assessment practices, including the development and implementation of large-scale standardized testing programs. - **Assessment Development Experience:** Demonstrated experience with assessment research, design, content development, validation, and implementation. Familiarity with innovative assessment products and methodologies is highly desirable. - **Strategic and Analytical Thinking:** Ability to evaluate complex problems, develop effective solutions, exercise sound judgment, and contribute innovative ideas to assessment strategy and execution. - **Leadership and Thought Leadership:** Demonstrated ability to guide teams, influence stakeholders, provide subject matter expertise, and contribute strategic recommendations in complex project environments. - **Client and Executive Communication:** Strong presentation and communication skills, with the confidence to interact with senior leadership, clients, advisory committees, and external education specialists. - **Collaboration and Relationship Management:** Ability to build productive relationships across departments, manage stakeholder expectations, resolve issues constructively, and coordinate multiple contributors toward shared objectives. - **Project and Risk Management:** Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities, monitor project schedules and budgets, identify risks, and ensure timely delivery of high-quality work. - **Adaptability and Flexibility:** Ability to respond effectively to changing project requirements, adjust plans when necessary, and maintain performance under tight deadlines. - **Technical Advisory Committee Experience:** Experience contributing to Technical Advisory Committees or similar expert advisory groups is preferred. - **Additional Assessment Experience:** Familiarity with early childhood formative assessment products and experience developing district-level assessments are advantageous. - **Travel Availability:** Willingness and ability to travel approximately one to eight times per year, with individual trips typically lasting two to five days. - **Remote Work Readiness:** Reliable cable or fiber-optic broadband internet with minimum speeds of 10 Mbps download and 5 Mbps upload, along with the ability to participate actively in video-based meetings. ## Benefits: - **Remote-First Work Environment:** Work remotely with flexibility and autonomy, supporting a healthy balance between professional responsibilities and personal life. - **Home Office Reimbursement:** Financial assistance to help cover the costs of establishing a suitable remote or home office. - **Collaborative Culture:** Opportunities to work with education specialists, assessment professionals, and cross-functional teams dedicated to improving educational outcomes. - **Professional Development:** Opportunities to strengthen leadership capabilities, expand assessment expertise, and contribute to innovative educational testing methodologies. - **Meaningful Educational Impact:** Help develop assessments that support educational measurement and contribute to learning experiences for students from kindergarten through high school. - **Leadership Opportunities:** Potential to guide test development professionals, influence assessment strategy, and contribute to complex, high-impact projects. - **Inclusive Workplace:** A commitment to equal employment opportunities, accessibility, and a workplace that values diverse backgrounds, ideas, and experiences. - **Flexible Work Practices:** A results-oriented environment built around trust, collaboration, and the flexibility to manage professional and personal commitments.