Senior Manager Assessment Development
- Location:
- Harlow
- Company:
- Pearson
Description:
Senior Manager Assessment Development - ( 2100310 )
Description
We are the world's learning company with more than 22,500 employees operating in 70 countries. We combine world-class educational content and assessment, powered by services and technology, to enable more effective teaching and personalized learning at scale. We believe that wherever learning flourishes so do people. We're committed to a world that's always learning and to our talented team who makes it all possible.
From bringing lectures vividly to life to turning textbooks into laptop lessons, we are always re-examining the way people learn best, whether it's one child in our own backyard or an education community across the globe.
We are bold thinkers and standout innovators who motivate each other to explore new frontiers in an environment that supports and inspires us to always be better. By pushing the boundaries of technology - and each other to surpass these boundaries - we create seeds of learning that become the catalyst for the world's innovations, personal and global, large and small.
At Pearson, we believe in the power of difference. Harnessing the unique skills, perspectives, and backgrounds of every employee helps us foster innovation and create the most effective solutions for learners around the world. That's why we're committed to ensuring that diversity and inclusion are embedded into everything we do. We foster a work environment that's inclusive and diverse - and where our people can be themselves - so we can reflect the customers and learners we serve.
Pearson is delighted to be committed to the Race Charter, and to be confirmed by Stonewall in the Top 100 Employers LGBTQ employers in the UK. We are a Disability Confident committed employer and were recognised in the Best Employers for Diversity 2019 awards. We are featured on The Forbes list of Best D&I Employers and are a Working Mums Top Employer and Age Positive employer. Pearson is listed on both the London and New York Stock Exchanges (UK: PSON; NYSE: PSO).
We are proud to offer an exceptional and supportive environment to develop your professional career.
Role Purpose
To lead on the development of tests and test content for English Assessment tests including established assessments and new test development. The role requires managing a team of database managers and test administrators to ensure standard Test Development procedures are followed; to minimise errors and maximise quality. The post holder works across different Pearson business units to co-ordinate test development deliverables and projects. The role involves presenting at webinars and conferences to contribute to the wider assessment community.
Quality Management
The post holder will:
- Lead on specific new test development projects to ensure tests meet the needs of test takers and international quality standards
- Work closely with product teams to develop new products whioch integrate with learning materials
- Develop test specifications and other documentation to support new test development
- Manage all aspects of the item development process for specific tests including the development of live and seed items
- Support and help manage the activity with respect of providers of test items from the International Item writing teams
- Manage both internal and external resource to ensure all deadlines and quality standards are met
- Ensure that all aspects of the test development cycle are appropriately documented; that document control ensures the most recent documentation is used; that documents are reviewed and updated regularly
- Track and implement any changes to the tests as agreed
- Ensure adherence to the professional standards as expressed in specified standards and codes of practice which are established in the language testing field
- Be involved in research projects related to test development with the goal of improving the quality of the test.
- Monitor the language testing environment and international government policy decisions/reforms relating to academic criteria of tests and updating management on any significant developments that may impact on test design
Management of the test cycle
The post holder will:
- Manage all aspects of the item writing and publishing test cycle for specified tests
- Ensure the highest standards of QA following standard test development procedures
Customer service
The post holder will:
- Be proactive in determining the appropriate responses to enquiries from stakeholders; ensure systems are in place to support appropriate messages to stakeholders
- Ensure all enquiries as they relate to Asssessment Development are dealt with within the established service level agreements
Internal Relationships
The post holder will:
- Reports to the Director, Test Development
- Delegates work to Test Development Managers, Database Managers and Test Administrators
- Confers with other Test Development Staff within English Assessment to ensure that test development is in line with the development work for other English Assessment products
- Supervises the work of designated team members
- Works closely with staff members within English Assessment responsible for operations, administration, learning materials and business development to ensure a smooth and efficient workflow within the business
Industry Relationships
The post holder will:
- As required contribute to the TAG
- Liaise with testing experts and other identified specialist on specific issues related to test design and delivery
- Report information about Pearson tests or findings from studies on Pearson tests at conferences or similarly organised events and in publications in professional journals
Pearson is an equal opportunities employer. We do not discriminate against employees or job applicants and select the best person for each job based on relevant skills and experience.We are also committed to building an accurate picture of the make-up of the workforce and encouraging equality and diversity.The information you provide will stay confidential, and be stored securely. It will not be seen by those involved in making decisions as part of the recruitment process.
Qualifications
Deep understanding and knowledge of assessment principles including test development processes and psychometric quality assurance is essential to the role. The ideal candidate will have excellent organisational and management skills and be able to work across business units.
Essential Skills
- Educated to Post Graduate level with a Masters level qualification in ESOL, Applied Linguistics, Educational Measurement, or similar
- Deep understanding of assessment issues
- Affinity for statistics
- Quality orientated with excellent attention to detail
- Proven administrative skills
- Project management skills and experience
- Experience of working in a team
- Ability to manage others and delegate work effectively
- Flexible; willing to cover for other people and meet challenging deadlines
- Experience of different international educational contexts
Preferred Skills
- High level command of the English language
- Knowledge of a second language
- Qualified professional with extensive teaching and/or training experience
- ESOL Teaching qualifications
#LI-POST
Primary Location : GB-GB-Harlow
Work Locations :
GB-Harlow-Kao Park
Kao Park Hockham WayKao Two
HarlowCM17 9SR
Job : Product Management
Organization : Global Product
Employee Status : Regular Employee
Job Type : Standard
Job Level : Manager
Shift : Day Job
Job Posting : Jan 19, 2021
Job Unposting : Ongoing
Schedule: : Full-time Regular
Req ID: 2100310
Description
We are the world's learning company with more than 22,500 employees operating in 70 countries. We combine world-class educational content and assessment, powered by services and technology, to enable more effective teaching and personalized learning at scale. We believe that wherever learning flourishes so do people. We're committed to a world that's always learning and to our talented team who makes it all possible.
From bringing lectures vividly to life to turning textbooks into laptop lessons, we are always re-examining the way people learn best, whether it's one child in our own backyard or an education community across the globe.
We are bold thinkers and standout innovators who motivate each other to explore new frontiers in an environment that supports and inspires us to always be better. By pushing the boundaries of technology - and each other to surpass these boundaries - we create seeds of learning that become the catalyst for the world's innovations, personal and global, large and small.
At Pearson, we believe in the power of difference. Harnessing the unique skills, perspectives, and backgrounds of every employee helps us foster innovation and create the most effective solutions for learners around the world. That's why we're committed to ensuring that diversity and inclusion are embedded into everything we do. We foster a work environment that's inclusive and diverse - and where our people can be themselves - so we can reflect the customers and learners we serve.
Pearson is delighted to be committed to the Race Charter, and to be confirmed by Stonewall in the Top 100 Employers LGBTQ employers in the UK. We are a Disability Confident committed employer and were recognised in the Best Employers for Diversity 2019 awards. We are featured on The Forbes list of Best D&I Employers and are a Working Mums Top Employer and Age Positive employer. Pearson is listed on both the London and New York Stock Exchanges (UK: PSON; NYSE: PSO).
We are proud to offer an exceptional and supportive environment to develop your professional career.
Role Purpose
To lead on the development of tests and test content for English Assessment tests including established assessments and new test development. The role requires managing a team of database managers and test administrators to ensure standard Test Development procedures are followed; to minimise errors and maximise quality. The post holder works across different Pearson business units to co-ordinate test development deliverables and projects. The role involves presenting at webinars and conferences to contribute to the wider assessment community.
Quality Management
The post holder will:
- Lead on specific new test development projects to ensure tests meet the needs of test takers and international quality standards
- Work closely with product teams to develop new products whioch integrate with learning materials
- Develop test specifications and other documentation to support new test development
- Manage all aspects of the item development process for specific tests including the development of live and seed items
- Support and help manage the activity with respect of providers of test items from the International Item writing teams
- Manage both internal and external resource to ensure all deadlines and quality standards are met
- Ensure that all aspects of the test development cycle are appropriately documented; that document control ensures the most recent documentation is used; that documents are reviewed and updated regularly
- Track and implement any changes to the tests as agreed
- Ensure adherence to the professional standards as expressed in specified standards and codes of practice which are established in the language testing field
- Be involved in research projects related to test development with the goal of improving the quality of the test.
- Monitor the language testing environment and international government policy decisions/reforms relating to academic criteria of tests and updating management on any significant developments that may impact on test design
Management of the test cycle
The post holder will:
- Manage all aspects of the item writing and publishing test cycle for specified tests
- Ensure the highest standards of QA following standard test development procedures
Customer service
The post holder will:
- Be proactive in determining the appropriate responses to enquiries from stakeholders; ensure systems are in place to support appropriate messages to stakeholders
- Ensure all enquiries as they relate to Asssessment Development are dealt with within the established service level agreements
Internal Relationships
The post holder will:
- Reports to the Director, Test Development
- Delegates work to Test Development Managers, Database Managers and Test Administrators
- Confers with other Test Development Staff within English Assessment to ensure that test development is in line with the development work for other English Assessment products
- Supervises the work of designated team members
- Works closely with staff members within English Assessment responsible for operations, administration, learning materials and business development to ensure a smooth and efficient workflow within the business
Industry Relationships
The post holder will:
- As required contribute to the TAG
- Liaise with testing experts and other identified specialist on specific issues related to test design and delivery
- Report information about Pearson tests or findings from studies on Pearson tests at conferences or similarly organised events and in publications in professional journals
Pearson is an equal opportunities employer. We do not discriminate against employees or job applicants and select the best person for each job based on relevant skills and experience.We are also committed to building an accurate picture of the make-up of the workforce and encouraging equality and diversity.The information you provide will stay confidential, and be stored securely. It will not be seen by those involved in making decisions as part of the recruitment process.
Qualifications
Deep understanding and knowledge of assessment principles including test development processes and psychometric quality assurance is essential to the role. The ideal candidate will have excellent organisational and management skills and be able to work across business units.
Essential Skills
- Educated to Post Graduate level with a Masters level qualification in ESOL, Applied Linguistics, Educational Measurement, or similar
- Deep understanding of assessment issues
- Affinity for statistics
- Quality orientated with excellent attention to detail
- Proven administrative skills
- Project management skills and experience
- Experience of working in a team
- Ability to manage others and delegate work effectively
- Flexible; willing to cover for other people and meet challenging deadlines
- Experience of different international educational contexts
Preferred Skills
- High level command of the English language
- Knowledge of a second language
- Qualified professional with extensive teaching and/or training experience
- ESOL Teaching qualifications
#LI-POST
Primary Location : GB-GB-Harlow
Work Locations :
GB-Harlow-Kao Park
Kao Park Hockham WayKao Two
HarlowCM17 9SR
Job : Product Management
Organization : Global Product
Employee Status : Regular Employee
Job Type : Standard
Job Level : Manager
Shift : Day Job
Job Posting : Jan 19, 2021
Job Unposting : Ongoing
Schedule: : Full-time Regular
Req ID: 2100310
