Manager Assessment Production at Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Location : Remote **

Who We Are**

NWEA® is a division of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt that supports students and educators through research, assessment solutions, policy and advocacy services, professional learning, and school improvement services that fight for equity, drive classroom impact, and push for systemic change in our educational communities. For nearly 50 years, NWEA has developed innovative pre-K–12 assessments, including their flagship interim assessment, MAP® Growth™, and their reading fluency and comprehension assessment, MAP® Reading Fluency™. For more information, visit NWEA.org to learn more. **

What You Will Do**

Manages all assessment development processes. This includes designing, documenting, and training new processes; documenting & improving existing processes; and monitoring the efficiency and quality metrics for all assessment development processes. The person in this role is also responsible for measuring, analyzing, and making recommendations related to progress to goals/OKRs/KPIs. **

Responsibilities**

• Lead development and improvement of Content Solutions team processes for new and existing assessments.
• Map and document assessment development processes.
• Drive process improvement by analyzing team feedback, partnering with affected groups for solutions and executing Lean/Six Sigma initiatives for cost and efficiency understanding.
• Collaborate with Content Solutions leadership on OKRs, providing expertise in identifying meaningful metrics.
• Maintain broad knowledge of assessment development tools and systems.
• Train SMEs on assessment processes and best practices.
• Lead metrics collection and analysis for insights into team performance and improvement areas.
• Perform cost-benefit analyses for the Content Solutions Team and continually identify cost-saving opportunities.
• Manage Content Solutions data and report design for accuracy, consistency, and utility.
• Develop and apply strategies for data analysis and reporting best practices.
• Champion agile methodology in planning, managing, and delivering assessment development solutions.
• Contribute significantly to advancing Agile practices within the division.
• Serve as Jira board administrator for assessment development agile boards.
• Monitor the project portfolio, resolving roadblocks, and escalating issues that may compromise deadlines or quality.

Skills & Abilities

• Expert in assessment development processes and tools.
• Demonstrated systems thinking ability to understand and analyze the interrelationships within a system.
• Excellent skills in process implementation, project management, and documentation.
• Proven ability to establish priorities and achieve results within cross-functional teams.
• Strong organizational, analytical, and leadership skills.
• Ability to present complex ideas clearly.
• Proficient in logical reasoning, analytical thinking, and problem-solving.
• Excellent interpersonal and collaboration skills at all organizational levels.
• Can work independently in a fast-paced environment with multiple projects and changing priorities.

What You Will Need

• A bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered in place of a degree.
• A minimum of 7 years of experience in a related position is required.
• Experience in standardized assessment development is essential.
• A Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certification is required, and a Black Belt certification is preferred.
• Experience in employing Agile methodologies and tools is desired.

Salary range: 90k – 100k **

Application Deadline**

The application window for this position is anticipated to close on March. 10, 2024. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible. The posting may be available past this date but is not guaranteed.

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (HMH) is fully committed to Equal Employment Opportunity and to attracting, retaining, developing and promoting the most qualified employees without regard to race, gender, color, religion, sexual orientation, family status, marital status, pregnancy, gender identity, ethnic/national origin, ancestry, age, disability, military status, genetic predisposition, citizenship status, status as a disabled veteran, recently separated veteran, Armed Forces service medal veteran, other covered veteran, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. We are dedicated to providing a work environment free from discrimination and harassment, and where employees are treated with respect and dignity. We actively participate in E-Verify.