Advanced Specialist, Implementation Specialist

Pearson; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Pearson is seeking an Advanced Specialist, Implementation Specialist to guide end-to-end item and test development for large-scale K–12 statewide assessments. You will lead content development, coordinate with multi-disciplinary teams, and drive excellence across paper and online modalities.

The role requires a strong background in item/test development, psychometrics, and program leadership, with travel as needed. Located remotely in the US, with compensation reflecting location and experience.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred.
• 5+ years in the educational testing/assessment industry.
• Experience with statewide K–12 assessments; classroom teaching valued.
• Proficiency with project and financial planning.
• Strong vendor management and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead assessment design and content development for statewide programs (K–12).
• Coordinate cross-functional teams with Psychometrics, Content, Publishing Services, Program Delivery, and Finance.
• Manage labor/expense forecasts, schedules, and change control for projects.
• Provide client-facing leadership for content development requirements and educator committee meetings.
• Oversee AI-driven content workflows, ensuring quality and compliance.

Skills

Item/test development

Client-facing

Cross-functional leadership

AI strategy

Project planning

Education

Bachelor's degree

Advanced degree preferred

Job description

At Pearson, we’re committed to a world that’s always learning and to our talented team who makes it all possible.

Role summary

The Advanced Specialist, Implementation Specialist role drives end-to-end item and test development for large-scale K–12 statewide assessment programs. This role serves as a primary client-facing leader for content development; translates standards and blueprints into high-quality item/test specifications; and coordinates cross-functional work with Psychometrics, Content, Publishing Services, Program Delivery, and Finance. This role provides thought leadership on assessment design, ensures operational excellence across paper and online modalities, and helps deliver successful outcomes for programs.

Key responsibilities

Assessment leadership and client consulting

• Provide expert guidance on assessment design, content development, and evidence-based practices for statewide assessments, including summative, interim, and other assessment types.
• Serve as a primary point of contact for client-facing content development requirements and educator committee meetings.

Blueprinting, item/test specifications, and development

• Translate standards and blueprints into actionable item and test specifications; secure client approvals and maintain documentation.
• Partner with Psychometrics on blueprint setup, test construction, data reviews, and standard setting inputs.
• Configure item bank metadata and test maps and oversee form assembly for paper and online administrations.

Scope, financial management and schedules

• Create, monitor and update labor and non-salary forecasts for programs; participate in forecast and finance reconciliation meetings.
• Lead scope discussions with content development vendors; initiate SOWs and coordinate escalations as needed.
• Maintain and approve content development schedules; manage change control and document updates in agreed tools.

Risk and issue management

• Identify and log project-specific risks; develop mitigation and contingency plans.
• Troubleshoot item/test development issues; lead sustainable corrective actions to protect quality and timelines.

Communication and customer experience

• Create and execute communication plans for consistent, transparent updates to customers.
• Facilitate customer review meetings on milestones and deliverables; establish and track customer satisfaction measures.
• Define escalation pathways and ensure timely resolution with clear, documented communication.

Team leadership and collaboration

• Coordinate staffing with Content leadership; provide performance feedback and coaching to team members and vendor partners.
• Foster a positive, cohesive team environment; model strong negotiation and cross-functional collaboration.

AI Strategy and Management

• Leverage AI-powered tools to support the development, review, and enhancement of assessment content, ensuring outputs meet quality and accessibility standards and comply with program-specific security and privacy requirements.
• Collaborate with team members to integrate AI-generated assets into assessment workflows, providing feedback and editorial oversight, and documenting provenance and approvals per established processes.
• Stay current with emerging AI technologies relevant to educational content creation and assessment; share practical guidance with the team and surface tool recommendations for consideration.

Required qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred.
• 5+ years of experience in the educational testing and assessment industry, including client-facing work and cross-functional team leadership.
• Demonstrated expertise in item and test development for statewide K–12 assessments; experience across paper and online modalities.
• Knowledge of psychometric principles relevant to development.
• Experience with statewide assessments; classroom teaching experience valued.
• Proficiency with project and financial planning.
• Strong vendor management skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and time management skills
• Adaptability with enterprise systems and tools.
• Ability to travel throughout the year, with increased travel during summer months.

AI Related Qualifications

Demonstrated excellence in AI-supported content development to leverage AI effectively in asset creation within a managed, compliant workflow.

Experience or familiarity with prompting, refining, and evaluating AI-generated content for educational assessments, including applying accessibility and bias checks.

Willingness to learn and adapt to new AI tools and methodologies as they evolve.

Location - Remote (US)

Compensation at Pearson is influenced by a wide array of factors including but not limited to skill set, level of experience, and specific location. As required by the California, Colorado, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York State, New York City, Vermont, Washington State, and Washington DC laws, the pay range for this position is as follows:

The minimum full-time salary range is between $85,000 - $95,000.

This position is eligible to participate in an annual incentive program, and information on benefits offered is here.

Applications will be accepted through Thursday, Sept 3, 2026. This window may be extended depending on business needs.

Who we are:

At Pearson, our purpose is simple: to help people realize the life they imagine through learning. We believe that every learning opportunity is a chance for a personal breakthrough. We are the world's lifelong learning company. For us, learning isn't just what we do. It's who we are. To learn more: We are Pearson.

Pearson is an Equal Opportunity Employer and a member of E-Verify. Employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit and business need. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status or any other group protected by law. We actively seek qualified candidates who are protected veterans and individuals with disabilities as defined under VEVRAA and Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act.

If you are an individual with a disability and are unable or limited in your ability to use or access our career site as a result of your disability, you may request reasonable accommodations by emailing [e-mail].

Job: Content Creation

Job Family: LEARNING_&_CONTENT_DEVELOPMENT

Organization: Assessment & Qualifications

Schedule: FULL_TIME

Workplace Type:

Req ID: 25790