This job has expired, please see additional jobs below
English Language Assessment Manger
Entertainment & Media Industry Company
Harlow, , United Kingdom
Job Details - this job has expired, please see similar jobs below
English Language Assessment Manger (ESOL)
Description
At Company, we’re committed to a world that’s always learning and to our talented team who makes it all possible. From bringing lectures vividly to life to turning textbooks into laptop lessons, we are always re-examining the way people learn best, whether it’s one child in our own backyard or an education community across the globe. We are bold thinkers and standout innovators who motivate each other to explore new frontiers in an environment that supports and inspires us to always be better. By pushing the boundaries of technology — and each other to surpass these boundaries — we create seeds of learning that become the catalyst for the world’s innovations, personal and global, large and small.
Purpose of the role;
To be an Assessment Manager with a specialism in EFL or ESOL working with a team of Test Development specialists on Company English language testing programmes with the primary responsibility for developing and ensuring that the main testing instruments are developed in accordance with the criteria as described in the test specification and that the item bank is regularly replenished with new items as needed to meet market requirements. The Assessment Manager also ensures that all Test Development processes and procedures are followed and that appropriate documentation is produced and maintained.
Key Accountabilities:
Quality Management
The Assessment Manager 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 Test Development Manager 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 Assessment Manager 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 examiners are recruited and trained to the appropriate standards
• Ensure that appropriate procedures are in place for the monitoring of examiners; in addition monitor senior examiners to ensure consistent quality standards are being applied
• Lead on the grading and awarding for specified tests and levels
• Manage seeding, item scoring and item calibration processes
Customer service
The Assessment Manager 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 Assessment Manager:
• Reports to the Director, Test Development
• 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 Assessment Manager will:
• Liaise with testing experts and other identified specialist on specific issues related to test design and delivery
• Report information about Company tests or findings from studies on Company tests at conferences or similarly organised events and in publications in professional journals
Typical Tasks
The Assessment Manager will:
• Review and evaluate draft items, test papers and marking schemes
• 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.
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
Preferred 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
Personal Style and Behavior:
● Leadership – Being able to lead your extended team without any formal authority. Building enough credibility and respect so that others are motivated to let you be in charge of a product line's future.
● Ability to influence – use both logic and emotion to win over wide ranges of audiences to your point of view as you are implementing the product vision and strategy that you believe in.
● Relationship building – build effective relationships with internal colleagues and external partners
● Communication, networking and influencing skills – work effectively with colleagues in business units across Company and to manage effectively in a matrix structure.
● Managing ambiguity – ability to work confidently and effectively in complex, changing and ambiguous situations.
● Decision-making skills – ability to work independently in driving and making key strategic and practical decisions.
● Commitment to Excellence – This includes excellence in the work you do and the deliverables (presentations, market requirements, business cases, etc.) you produce as well as the details of the product itself.