Manager Content Development

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 Manager of Content Development is responsible for managing the performance of salaried and freelance test developers and completion of all test development activities for assigned contracts or projects.
PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES:

Management:

Supervise and mentor direct reports and 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 direct reports.
Orient new direct reports to company, division, and job, and provide ongoing support as needed.
Provide timely, developmental feedback, coaching, and training to direct reports and team members to achieve contract or project goals and to nurture staff members' moving up career paths.
Identify and develop direct reports and contract or project team members for Lead responsibilities.
Approve timesheets of direct reports.
Conduct ongoing performance reviews and goal setting for direct reports, including collaboration with other Content Managers (as appropriate).
Define, refine, and maintain Standard Operating Procedures of the division in conjunction with other Content Managers and appropriate test developers.
Work with the CD Director 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:

Participate in test meetings for new (proposal) and existing contracts or projects.
Work with clients and Program Management/Client Services to start up new contracts or projects.
Review/oversee item and test development processes and protocols for assigned contacts.
Create and analyze test designs, blueprints, and test/item specifications.
Develop and maintain positive working relationships with the client and all interfacing internal departments (i.e., Client Services, Publishing, Scoring Services, Project Management, Reporting Services, Technology, and Psychometrics).
Serve as the primary liaison between the client and organization on test development issues.
Work with the project managers, subcontractors, and client to establish and monitor schedules for all test development activities for assigned projects.
Attend committee and other client meetings as needed.
Monitor item and test development work against schedules and report results to division leadership on a regularly scheduled basis.
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.
Work with Client Services on client-specific curriculum/assessment issues.
Develop supplementary materials (e.g., assessment guides, brochures, and sample question packets), as requested by Client Services.
Lead conceptualization, specifications, and creation of innovative content and new assessment products, systems, or services.
Understand psychometric, political, policy and content consideration issues associated with individual contract or project development activities.
Assist with test developer activities during peak times.
Perform duties and fulfill responsibilities that may, from time to time, include related or unrelated tasks.
JOB REQUIREMENTS:

Education & Experience:

Bachelor's degree with a minimum of eight (8) years of experience in educational assessment experience; which includes proven experience demonstrating test development competencies; Degree in a Mathematics or Science-related field preferred, Master's degree in Education is preferred
A minimum of three (3) years' experience leading people and workflow in an education environment required
Competencies:

The appropriate knowledge of standards-based practices; curriculum, instruction, and assessment to principal activities to guide item and test development work, and train team accordingly.
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) :

Limited travel (0-10%)
Travel to 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.