Senior Assessment & Content Design Lead (Remote)

Pearson; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 85,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Pearson is seeking an Advanced Specialist, Implementation Specialist to drive end-to-end item and test development for large-scale K–12 statewide assessments. You will serve as a primary client-facing leader for content development, translating standards into item/test specs and coordinating cross-functional work across Psychometrics, Content, Publishing, Program Delivery, and Finance.

You will lead AI-assisted content development, manage schedules and budgets, and ensure quality across paper

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.

Responsibilities

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

Skills

5+ years in educational testing

Item/test development

Client-facing leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Psychometrics knowledge

Project & financial planning

Vendor management

Written and verbal communication

Analytical problem solving

Travel willingness

Adaptability with enterprise systems

AI strategy awareness

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Advanced degree preferred

Job description

Pearson is seeking an Advanced Specialist, Implementation Specialist to drive end-to-end item and test development for large-scale K–12 statewide assessments. You will serve as a primary client-facing leader for content development, translating standards into item/test specs and coordinating cross-functional work across Psychometrics, Content, Publishing, Program Delivery, and Finance.

You will lead AI-assisted content development, manage schedules and budgets, and ensure quality across paper