Test Development Manager

Due to extensive travel requirements this position must be based in the New England region with the ability to travel throughout that region as needed

Education is ever-evolving. And so are we.

We seek passionate people from diverse backgrounds who are committed to helping improve the work of schools as a trusted partner in advancing learning. By joining the Cognia team, you will be immersed in a community of energetic and resourceful people dedicated to a common vision to impact and inspire education providers to advance and enable pathways of success for all learners. At Cognia we have developed a holistic approach to education that empowers schools to create real outcomes and optimize learning for students of all backgrounds, servicing more than 36,000 institutions, 5 million teachers, and 25 million students in 85 countries. When you join Cognia, you join a team of experts passionate about our mission and embracing our core values in everything we do.

NATURE AND SCOPE:

The Test Development Manager is responsible for all test development related activities and deliverables of assigned projects or contracts, and for leading all test/content development personnel for the contract team.

PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES:

Management:

• Mentor contract or project team members (including salaried and freelance test developers) in all aspects of item and test development.
• Create, communicate, and manage performance expectations for other team members.
• Orient new staff members to the company, division, and job, and provide ongoing support as needed.
• Provide timely, developmental feedback, coaching, and training to team members to achieve contract or project goals and to nurture staff members’ moving up career paths.
• Identify and develop contract or project team members for Lead responsibilities.
• Define, refine, and maintain Standard Operating Procedures of the division in conjunction with other Content Managers and appropriate test developers.
• Work with the CD Directors to provide budgets for contracts and/or projects and proposals.
• Champion new division and company initiatives.
• Communicate and/or meet with division leadership and appropriate managers within and across divisions on a regularly scheduled basis.
• Serve on division or company committees, task forces, etc., as assigned or as volunteered.

Test Development:

• Oversee and lead the test development process and protocol for assigned projects. Work with client, subcontractors, content managers, lead developers, and Director of Content Development to define, refine, and maintain the process.
• Assist with the oversight of the day-to-day operational test development work for assigned projects and/or contracts. (e.g., test designs, item development, test construction)
• Develop and maintain positive working relationships with the client and all interfacing internal Cognia divisions (publications, scoring, program/project management, and Psychometric and Reporting Services).
• Serve as the primary liaison between the client and Cognia on test development topics and issues.
• Working with the content managers, subcontractors, and the client, establish and monitor schedules for all test development activities for assigned projects.
• Conduct internal reviews of item and test development work products to assure quality and adherence to specifications of all items for assigned contracts or projects; assist with test developer activities during peak times.
• Attend committee and other client meetings as needed.
• Participate in proposal-design meetings for new and existing contracts or projects.
• Create and analyze test designs, blueprints, and test/item specifications.
• Develop supplementary materials (e.g., assessment guides, brochures, and sample question packets), as requested by Client Services.
• Perform duties and fulfill responsibilities that may, from time to time, include related or unrelated tasks.

JOB REQUIREMENTS:

Education & Experience:

• Bachelor’s Degree and a minimum of eight (8) years’ experience managing people and workflow in an education environment, along with a minimum of four (4) years of assessment industry experience; or Master’s Degree combined with six (6) years’ experience managing people and workflow in an education environment, along with a minimum of two (2) years of assessment industry experience

Competencies:

• The ability to manage with vision and purpose; deploy and develop staff and other resources to ensure standards of excellence and optimal performance.
• The appropriate knowledge to successfully manage resources and execute business objectives and/or deliverables on behalf of the organization.
• Exemplifies corporate standards of conduct and values including business ethics, integrity, and honesty in dealings with staff, clients, vendors, and other stakeholders of the organization; the ability to exhibit an open collaborative and constructive approach to achieving business results that ensures accountability for function(s) under management; displays a visible commitment to the organization’s high standards of quality, the achievement of its corporate business strategy, and fulfillment of its mission.
• The ability to convey both orally and in writing, various business priorities, goals, values, and objectives inside and outside the organization in a manner that is understandable and persuasive to target audiences.

Anticipated Travel (may include local, national, and/or international travel):

• Extensive travel (>40%)
• Travel to Annual All Staff Company Meeting required

At Cognia, we recognize the critical role played by our teams in carrying out the organization’s important educational mission. As a reflection of that recognition our exceptional benefits offerings include generous paid time off and holiday breaks, comprehensive insurance plans, and a 12.5% retirement savings contribution which is immediately vested, all effective on your date of hire. This represents an affirmative commitment by the organization to attract and retain the highest quality workforce – to ensure our continued ability to effectively serve our mission for years to come.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy-related conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, citizenship, protected veteran status, genetic information or any other characteristics protected by local, state, or federal laws, rules, or regulations. Cognia is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and is committed to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.