Senior Director Test Development

The GED test has opened doors to college/universities programs for more than 20 million graduates since 1942. The GED test is accepted by virtually all U.S. universities, and students from more than 90 countries utilize the GED program outside the U.S. each year to attend universities around the world. As the creator of the one official GED test, GED Testing Service has a responsibility to ensure that the program continues to be a reliable and valuable pathway to a better life for the millions of test takers looking to pursue jobs, career training and higher education credentials. GED Testing Service is a joint venture between the American Council on Education and Pearson.

The Senior Director of Assessment Services is an important role that will be responsible for ensuring the quality of the GED Test – our flagship assessment – and our other assessment products that are used by several hundreds of thousands of learners in the U.S. and around the world each year. In this position you’ll have the opportunity to put your stamp on one of the world’s largest high-school-level testing programs and position it for the next decade. We are seeking an experienced assessment leader that cares about the impact our program has on adult learners, and cares about the quality of their team’s work environment.

This role sits within our GED Workforce Skills division, specifically in GED Testing Service, and will report to the Vice President of Global Operations & Government Relations. As the Senior Director, and leader of Assessment Services, you will:

Lead the Assessment Services team which includes content specialists, project managers, editors, psychometricians, and consultants

Create and execute plans, strategic priorities and the future direction of the GED Test—our flagship product—and for all assessment services products

Monitor student performance, outcomes and make policy recommendations based on data

Ensure that the GED Test, GED Ready and other assessment products maintain great performance, using solid psychometric and test development best practices

Stay abreast of changes in the assessment industry and evaluate their potential impact to GED ® assessment products, including the impact and potential of AI and GenAI

Stay abreast of research studies related to assessment, and adult learners

Be a credible voice with state customers and educators

Review and approve policy decisions/language and revise where needed

Review and assist in responding to Assessment Services portions of Requests for Proposals (RFPs) and coordinate/review standards and content alignments for RFPs

Assist in evaluating, researching, and responding to test security anomalies and incidents in collaboration with Pearson VUE security and GED operations and legal teams.

Recruit, train, and manage Assessment Services team by planning, monitoring, and appraising job results.

Build a healthy environment focused on individual learning and development, team development, and embraces diversity, equity and inclusion

Ensure teams complete operational requirements and meet assessment product deadlines, including quality control and testing

Manage short and long-term goals for the Assessment Services team including staffing needs and professional development opportunities

Identify and manage new and existing business partnerships

Provide direction to business partners and contractors in developing the GED ® content

In coordination with the VP, respond to public inquiries regarding GED ® processes, items, and policies

Support development of data and presentations for Tuesdays for Teachers, the GED Conference, and other sessions as professional development for educators

Oversee continuous improvement efforts related to new products to and learning opportunities for GEDTS staff and GED students

Coordinate and oversee special projects such as the Credly ® Badge refresh, the Passing Standard Study, and National Student Clearing House studies and ACE Credit recommendations.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required:

Education required: bachelor’s degree or higher

Experience required: Ten or more years managing assessment programs, with expertise in assessment, data analysis and educational outcomes

Experience with and understanding of test authoring tools and software

5 years of management experience

Strong understanding of psychometrics and measurement

Strong communication, presentation, and public speaking skills—have the ability to communicate and explain complex topics to non-assessment professionals

Knowledge of budget preparation and fiscal management

Critical thinking and problem-solving skills

Strong work ethic. Must have drive and passion for his/her work and the mission of the GED program

Exceptional organizational, planning, and management skills

Ability to work on multiple projects in various stages simultaneously

Experience responding to requests for proposals (RFPs)

Ability to effectively communicate complex processes interdepartmentally and within the GED/Pearson organization

Must be proficient in working with the MS product suite

Compensation at Pearson is influenced by a wide array of factors including but not limited to skill set, level of experience, and specific location. As required by the California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maryland, New York State, New York City, Washington State, and Washington DC laws, the pay range for this position is as follows:

The minimum full-time salary range is between $150,000 – $155,000.

This position is eligible to participate in an annual incentive program, and information on benefits offered is here.

What to expect from Pearson

Did you know Pearson is one of the 10 most innovative education companies of 2022?

At Pearson, we add life to a lifetime of learning so everyone can realize the life they imagine. We do this by creating vibrant and enriching learning experiences designed for real-life impact. We are on a journey to be 100 percent digital to meet the changing needs of the global population by developing a new strategy with ambitious targets. To deliver on our strategic vision, we have five business divisions that are the foundation for the long-term growth of the company: Assessment & Qualifications, Virtual Learning, English Language Learning, Workforce Skills and Higher Education. Alongside these, we have our corporate divisions: Digital & Technology, Finance, Global Corporate Marketing & Communications, Human Resources, Legal, Strategy and Direct to Consumer. Learn more at We are Pearson.

We value the power of an inclusive culture and also a strong sense of belonging. We promote a culture where differences are embraced, opportunities are accessible, consideration and respect are the norm and all individuals are supported in reaching their full potential. Through our talent, we believe that diversity, equity and inclusion make us a more innovative and vibrant place to work. People are at the center, and we are committed to building a workplace where talent can learn, grow and thrive.

Pearson is an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer and a member of E-Verify. We want a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives and skills. The more inclusive we are, the better our work will be. All employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit and business need. All 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 strive for a workforce that reflects the diversity of our communities.

To learn more about Pearson’s commitment to a diverse and inclusive workforce, navigate to: Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at Pearson.

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.

Note that the information you provide will stay confidential and will be stored securely. It will not be seen by those involved in making decisions as part of the recruitment process.

Job: PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Organization: Workforce Skills

Schedule: FULLTIME

Workplace Type: Remote

Req ID: 16972