Advanced Specialist, Implementation Specialist

Pearson•United States,

8h•$85,000 - $95,000

About The Position

The Advanced Specialist, Content Implementation role drives end-to-end item and test development for large-scale K–12 statewide assessment programs. The role serves as a primary client-facing leader for content development, translates standards and blueprints into item and test specifications, and coordinates work across Psychometrics, Content, Publishing Services, Program Delivery, and Finance. It provides thought leadership on assessment design, ensures operational excellence across paper and online modalities, and supports successful program outcomes. The role provides expert guidance on assessment design and evidence-based practices; leads client-facing content development and educator committee engagement; translates standards and blueprints into specifications; partners with Psychometrics on blueprinting, test construction, data reviews, and standard-setting inputs; and oversees item bank metadata, test maps, and form assembly. It also manages program forecasts, vendor scope discussions and statements of work, schedules, change control, risks, issue resolution, and customer communications. The role coordinates staffing, provides coaching and feedback, and collaborates across teams and with vendor partners. It uses AI-powered tools to develop, review, and enhance assessment content while ensuring quality, accessibility, security, privacy, and documented provenance and approvals. A bachelor’s degree is required and an advanced degree is preferred. Candidates need at least five years of educational testing and assessment industry experience, including client-facing work and cross-functional team leadership, along with expertise in statewide K–12 item and test development across paper and online modalities. Travel is required throughout the year, with increased travel during summer months. The position has a stated minimum full-time salary range of $85,000–$95,000 and is eligible for an annual incentive program.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required.
At least 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, including paper and online modalities.
Knowledge of psychometric principles relevant to development.
Experience with statewide assessments.
Proficiency with project and financial planning.
Strong vendor management skills.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Strong analytical, problem-solving, and time management skills.
Ability to adapt to enterprise systems and tools.
Ability to travel throughout the year, with increased travel during summer months.
Demonstrated excellence in AI-supported content development and effective use of AI for asset creation within a managed, compliant workflow.
Experience or familiarity with prompting, refining, and evaluating AI-generated educational assessment content, including accessibility and bias checks.
Willingness to learn and adapt to evolving AI tools and methodologies.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree preferred.
Classroom teaching experience valued.

Responsibilities

Provide expert guidance on assessment design, content development, and evidence-based practices for statewide summative, interim, and other assessments.
Serve as a primary client contact for content development requirements and educator committee meetings.
Translate standards and blueprints into item and test specifications, obtain 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 program labor and non-salary forecasts; participate in forecast and finance reconciliation meetings.
Lead content-development vendor scope discussions, initiate statements of work, and coordinate escalations.
Maintain and approve content development schedules, manage change control, and document updates in agreed tools.
Identify and log project-specific risks and develop mitigation and contingency plans.
Troubleshoot item and test development issues and lead sustainable corrective actions to protect quality and timelines.
Create and execute customer communication plans; facilitate milestone and deliverable review meetings; establish and track customer satisfaction measures.
Define escalation pathways and ensure timely resolution with clear, documented communication.
Coordinate staffing with Content leadership and provide performance feedback and coaching to team members and vendor partners.
Foster a positive, cohesive team environment and model negotiation and cross-functional collaboration.
Use AI-powered tools to support assessment content development, review, and enhancement while meeting quality, accessibility, security, privacy, and program requirements.
Collaborate on integrating AI-generated assets into assessment workflows, provide editorial oversight and feedback, and document provenance and approvals.
Stay current with AI technologies relevant to educational content and assessment, share practical guidance, and surface tool recommendations.
Travel throughout the year, with increased travel during summer months.