Director Assessment Solutions

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 Director Assessment Solutions has an integral role in the business and marketing of Cognia-owned assessment solutions including curriculum-embedded, formative, benchmark, interim, and summative assessments, as well as other custom assessment projects and professional learning initiatives. This role is accountable for the visioning, research, design, development, and implementation of an appropriate suite of Cognia Assessments, as well as for ensuring quality delivery of operational assessments and projects. This position will work closely with the Content Directors and Managers in the Assessment Solutions Team, the Vice President Content Development, and/or other departments including the Innovation Lab and Membership Services to lead business and strategic planning, including discussions around marketability and revenue projections, and to ensure implementation of offerings as it relates to Cognia Assessment solutions (balanced assessment systems) and associated professional learning development work.

PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES

Assessment Solutions and Development:

• Lead strategic planning for Cognia Assessment offerings, in collaboration with the Cognia Assessments Team, the Vice President Content Development, other Assessment Division Leadership, Innovation Lab, and Membership Services staff; make decisions to solution for challenges, risks, goals, and vision for the company business in this area to drive enhanced value and market excellence in offerings and initiatives.
• Design and complete an inventory and documentation of current assets and assessment offerings in the suite of Cognia Assessments relative to content and usage, to support appropriate evaluation of contract bids, resource assignments, and strategic planning.
• Oversee operational Cognia Assessments contracts/projects to ensure completion within scope, schedule, and budget to deliver high-quality assessment content.
• Lead the monitoring, investigation, and improvement of technologies used for content development and assessment design, as well as delivery via interactive online testing platforms, to best meet the development and delivery needs of Cognia Assessment offerings.
• Create project roadmaps and processes to design, document, and communicate progress on goals and outcomes.
• Support and develop positive working relationships with clients on specific contracts/projects, as well as all interfacing internal Cognia divisions, departments, and partners, to ensure high quality completion of deliverables.
• Monitor operational work for adherence to Cognia quality and production metrics and processes within the department; maintain and improve Standard Operating Procedures of the division in conjunction with Directors, Content Directors, Managers, and appropriate test developers.
• Evaluate capacity for new custom assessment contracts in collaboration with the Cognia Assessments Content Directors/Managers, the Vice President Content Development, and Membership Services.
• Actively participate in proposal solutioning and development for bids including Cognia Assessment content, and for other proposals as needed.
• Lead the planning, management, and forecasting of annual budget, capital cost expenditures, and staffing needs for the Cognia Assessments team/work in collaboration with the Vice President Content Development.
• Investigate and study trends in the field of education and assessment to inform client needs, anticipate new assessment needs, and strategically shape and plan future enhancements or offerings.
• Champion new division and company initiatives.
• Represent the company at client meetings and other high-level contract or industry meetings.
• Perform duties and fulfill responsibilities that may, from time to time, include related or unrelated tasks.

Management:

• Supervise and mentor direct reports and contract or project team members (including salaried and freelance/contract staff).
• Create, communicate, and manage performance expectations for direct reports.
• Orient new direct reports to the 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.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in education or a related field required; Master's degree preferred
• Minimum of ten (10) years of combined experience in educational leadership, program management, teaching, or experience working in complex educational settings to include five (5) years of experience managing professional (including supervisory) staff required
• Eight (8) years of combined large-scale assessment and/or classroom experience required
• Client management experience, preferably in the K-12 marketplace, required
• Advanced knowledge of industry issues and practices in K-12 assessment, with comprehensive experience and knowledge of alignment between standards and assessment items, item and test development processes, educational testing operations, and basic psychometric principles required
• Demonstrated success in the design and development of educational, instructional, or teacher professional development products, services, or solutions for K-12 education required

Competencies:

• Ability to lead and manage complex systems and processes; demonstrated ability to lead and engage large work groups to reach desired objectives
• Demonstrated ability to work in an open and collaborative manner with other leadership and staff within the division and company to arrive at effective short-term decisions and long-term strategies
• Strong track record of successful completion of assignments on time and under budget, managing staff members across functional areas and at multiple locations
• Strong and effective verbal, written, and interpersonal skills
• Strong leadership, team management, and change management skills
• Proven ability to build consensus and work on a collaborative team basis with all levels of management, internally and externally
• Ability to convey business priorities, goals, values, and objectives inside and outside the organization in a manner that is understandable and persuasive to target audiences
• Results oriented and performance driven
• The appropriate knowledge to successfully manage resources and execute business objectives and/or deliverables on behalf of the organization
• Demonstrated ability for creative problem solving and embracing improvements, enhancements, and efficiencies of all related operational processes
• Demonstrated effectiveness in working under stringent periods and changing priorities/conditions
• High level of integrity and dependability with a strong sense of urgency around results

Anticipated Travel (may include local, national, and/or international travel):

• Occasional travel (10%-20%)
• 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 a strong 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.