Specialist, Content Developer

Job Title - Specialist, Content Developer

About Pearson

We are the world's learning company with more than 24,000 employees operating in 70 countries. We combine world-class educational content and assessment, powered by services and technology, to enable more effective teaching and personalized learning at scale. We believe that wherever learning flourishes, so do people.

Description & Purpose

The Specialist, Content Developer (EFL/ESOL) works as part of a team of Test Development specialists supporting Pearson's English language testing programmes. The primary responsibility of this role is to develop high-quality testing instruments in line with approved test specifications and to ensure the ongoing replenishment of the item bank to meet market demand.

The role focuses primarily on proficiency assessments and requires close adherence to established test development processes, quality standards, and documentation requirements. The Specialist, Content Developer ensures that all test materials are developed accurately, consistently, and in compliance with professional standards within the language testing field.

Key Accountabilities:

Quality Management

The Specialist, Content Developer will:

•Be responsible for the development of assessment specifications that meet approved criteria, approving them as valid and fit for purpose

• Manage a group of external item writers who assist the Advanced Associate, Content Developer in developing content

• Ensure adherence to the professional standards as expressed in specified standards and codes of practice which are established in the language testing field

• Review and develop marking criteria

• Ensure documentation is accurate and up-to-date

• Be involved in research projects related to test development with the goal of improving the quality of the test

• Contribute to the design and redesign of tests

• Monitor the language testing environment and international government policy decisions/reforms relating to academic criteria of tests and updating management on any significant developments that may impact on test design

Management of the test cycle

The Specialist, Content Developer will:

• Supervise the production of test materials including any documentation associated with the test

• Review final sign off of all examination materials prior to production approval

• Work with Operations and other members of the Test development team to ensure sufficient raters are recruited and trained to the appropriate standards where needed

• Ensure that appropriate procedures are in place for the monitoring of raters

• Lead on issues related to the scoring and grading of test instruments

• Manage pre-testing, item scoring and item calibration processes as required

Customer service

The Specialist, Content Developer will:

• Ensure a high standard of customer service by ensuring all relevant test documentation is up-to-date and correct

• Ensure enquiries referred to Test Development are dealt with within the established service level agreements

Internal Relationships

The Specialist, Content Developer will:

• Reports to the Team Manager

• Confers with other Test Development Staff to ensure that test development is in line with the development work for other products

• Supervises the work of Test Administrators, if required

• Confers with staff members responsible for operations, administration, learning materials and business development to ensure a smooth and efficient workflow

Industry Relationships

The Specialist, Content Developer will:

• Liaise with testing experts and other identified specialists on specific issues related to test design and delivery

• Report information about Pearson tests or findings from studies on Pearson tests at conferences or similarly organised events and in publications in professional journals

Typical Tasks

The Specialist, Content Developer will:

• Review and evaluate draft items, test forms and rating rubrics

• Evaluate field tests results and make decisions regarding the quality of test items

• Manage item writer training relating to the requirements of the test specifications

• Help to identify research opportunities to improve the quality of the test instruments and manage the research projects

• Ensure that the final sign off of items and tests is in accordance with the designated test development procedures and specifications

• Identify and help implement quality improvements

Understanding and knowledge of assessment principles, test development processes including psychometric quality assurance is essential to the role, as is the ability to cooperate with people and organise processes effectively. The applicant must be able to present information clearly to clients and other involved staff.

This role will need to collaborate regularly with a team in the US so evening hours till 8pm will be required on some days.

Key Challenges:

• Ensure quality and security standards are always met

• Improving processes and finding efficiencies

• Working innovatively within defined processes

• International nature of business

• Working to tight deadlines

• Working with different stakeholders

• Managing projects which are running concurrently

Qualifications

Essential Skills

• Educated to Post Graduate level with a Masters level qualification in ESOL, Applied Linguistics, Educational Measurement, or similar

• Deep understanding of assessment issues

• Affinity for statistics

• Quality orientated with excellent attention to detail

• Proven administrative skills

• Project management skills and experience

• Experience of working in a team

• Flexible; willing to cover for other people and meet challenging deadlines

• Experience of different international educational contexts

Desired Skills

• High level command of the English language

• Knowledge of a second language

• Qualified professional with extensive teaching and/or training experience

• ESOL Teaching qualifications

Pearson is an equal opportunities employer. We do not discriminate against employees or job applicants and select the best person for each job based on relevant skills and experience. We are also committed to building an accurate picture of the make-up of the workforce and encouraging equality and diversity. The information you provide will stay confidential and be stored securely. It will not be seen by those involved in making decisions as part of the recruitment process.

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 TalentExperienceGlobalTeam@grp.pearson.com.

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