Senior Content & Assessment Implementation Lead

Pearson; Sacramento (CA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Pearson is seeking an Advanced Specialist, Content Implementation to drive end-to-end item and test development for large-scale K–12 statewide assessments. You will lead content development with cross-functional teams, translate standards into specifications, and manage schedules and vendors.

This role requires strong communication, project and financial planning skills, and the ability to travel as needed to support programs nationwide.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred.
• 5+ years of experience in educational testing and assessment, including client-facing work and cross-functional leadership.
• Demonstrated expertise in item and test development for statewide K–12 assessments; experience with 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.
• 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, including summative and interim assessment types.
• 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 negotiation and cross-functional collaboration.
• Leverage AI-powered tools to support development, review, and enhancement of assessment content, ensuring accessibility and privacy compliance.

Skills

Item/Test Development

Cross-functional Leadership

Communication Skills

Psychometrics

Educational Assessments

Travel Readiness

Financial Planning

AI Content Development

Project Management

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Advanced Degree Preferred

Job description

Pearson is seeking an Advanced Specialist, Content Implementation to drive end-to-end item and test development for large-scale K–12 statewide assessments. You will lead content development with cross-functional teams, translate standards into specifications, and manage schedules and vendors.

This role requires strong communication, project and financial planning skills, and the ability to travel as needed to support programs nationwide.