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- Tasks: Lead assessment validity practices and manage cross-functional teams to enhance product quality.
- Company: Join Cambridge University Press & Assessment, a leading academic publisher and part of the University of Cambridge.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, 28 days leave, private medical insurance, and a discretionary bonus.
- Why this job: Make a global impact in education while working in a collaborative and innovative environment.
- Qualifications: Strong knowledge of assessment principles, excellent communication skills, and experience with data analysis required.
- Other info: Applications are open until March 2025; hybrid working options available.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 75000 £ per year.
We have an exciting opportunity for a Head of Assessment Validity to join a highly collaborative, cross functional team of assessment experts, actively making a difference to our learners around the world. You will encourage innovation to improve the quality and effectiveness of assessment approaches and develop a wider culture and understanding of the importance of validity.
About the role
The Head of Assessment Validity will lead on best practice approaches to manage validity throughout the assessment product lifecycle, working closely with colleagues in our Research and Impact teams. You will ensure that products are developed and operationalised effectively to achieve, and provide evidence of, their intended measurement properties and fitness for purpose. This will involve providing technical assessment knowledge and expertise, documenting and articulating a joined-up narrative about test performance and ensuring quality and validity considerations are represented appropriately at all levels.
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead on the development of best practice in managing validity throughout the product lifecycle.
- Provide technical psychometric and applied linguistic expertise to devise, own, and maintain appropriate technical frameworks to assess impacts to validity and support decision making across Assessment Operations.
- Define requirements for a comprehensive validity argument narrative for products and approaches to manage the associated evidence, to satisfy external stakeholder needs.
- Provide leadership for a range of assessment professionals to identify areas for improvement, mitigate risks to the validity of products.
- Manage cross-functional teams to ensure validity is embedded in day-to-day activities.
- Champion the importance of assessment validity and our principles of good practice, as well as promoting the use of evidence based decision making.
About you
As our Head of Assessment Validity, you should possess extensive awareness of the global context and markets in which Cambridge English operates, along with strong knowledge and experience of learning and assessment-related principles, research, processes, and data analyses. The ability to interpret inferential statistics and complex analysis is essential, combined with excellent communication skills to work with both technical and non-technical audiences. You should have experience in overseeing operational research and business change projects from a technical perspective, as well as strong presentation and influencing skills, including to senior stakeholders. Additionally, you should have experience in building and managing strong relationships with consultants, academic researchers, regulators and other external stakeholders.
Rewards and benefits
We will support you to be at your best in work and to live well outside of it. In addition to competitive salaries, we offer a world-class, flexible rewards package, featuring family-friendly and planet-friendly benefits including:
- 28 days annual leave plus bank holidays
- Private medical and Permanent Health Insurance
- Discretionary annual bonus
- Group personal pension scheme
- Life assurance up to 4 x annual salary
- Green travel schemes
We are a hybrid working organisation, and we offer a range of flexible working options from day one. We expect most hybrid-working colleagues to spend 40-60% of their time at their dedicated office or location. We will also consider other work arrangements if you wish to work more flexibly or require adjustments due to a disability.
Ready to pursue your potential? Apply now. We review applications on an ongoing basis, with a closing date for all applications being Sunday 23rd March 2025 and interviews are scheduled to take place on the week commencing Monday 31st March 2025 onwards. Please note that successful applicants will be subject to satisfactory background checks including DBS due to working in a regulated industry.
Cambridge University Press & Assessment is an approved UK employer for the sponsorship of eligible roles and applicants under the Skilled Worker visa route. Please refer to the gov.uk website for guidance to understand your own eligibility based on the role you are applying for.
Why join us
Joining us is your opportunity to pursue potential. You'll belong to a collaborative team that's exploring new and better ways to serve students, teachers and researchers across the globe – for the benefit of individuals, society and the world. Sharing our mission will inspire your own growth, development and progress, in an environment which embraces difference, change and aspiration. Cambridge University Press & Assessment is committed to being a place where anyone can enjoy a successful career, where it's safe to speak up, and where we learn continuously to improve together. We welcome applications from all candidates, regardless of demographic characteristics (age, disability, educational attainment, ethnicity, gender, marital status, neurodiversity, religion, sex, gender identity and sexual identity), cultural, or social class/background. We believe better outcomes come through diversity of thought, background and approach. We welcome applications from people from all backgrounds and communities, actively seeking to employ people from a wide range of different communities.
Head of Assessment Validity - 5696 employer: Cambridge University Press
Contact Detail:
Cambridge University Press Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Assessment Validity - 5696
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the latest trends and best practices in assessment validity. This will not only help you understand the role better but also allow you to engage in meaningful conversations during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the field of assessment and psychometrics. Attend relevant conferences or webinars to connect with potential colleagues and gain insights that could set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific examples of how you've managed validity in past projects. Highlight your experience with cross-functional teams and how you've influenced decision-making processes related to assessment.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your ability to communicate complex statistical concepts to non-technical audiences. This skill is crucial for the Head of Assessment Validity role, so be ready to demonstrate it through examples or scenarios.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Assessment Validity - 5696
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before applying, make sure to thoroughly understand the responsibilities and requirements of the Head of Assessment Validity position. Tailor your application to highlight relevant experience in managing validity throughout the assessment product lifecycle.
Highlight Relevant Experience: In your CV and cover letter, emphasise your experience with psychometric principles, data analysis, and your ability to communicate complex information to both technical and non-technical audiences. Use specific examples to demonstrate your expertise.
Showcase Leadership Skills: Since the role involves leading cross-functional teams, be sure to include examples of your leadership experience. Discuss how you've successfully managed teams and projects, particularly in relation to assessment validity and quality assurance.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter should not only express your enthusiasm for the role but also articulate your understanding of the importance of assessment validity. Discuss how you can contribute to the company's mission and values, and why you're a great fit for their team.
How to prepare for a job interview at Cambridge University Press
✨Understand the Role's Requirements
Before the interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the key responsibilities and requirements of the Head of Assessment Validity role. Familiarise yourself with concepts like validity in assessments and how they apply to the product lifecycle.
✨Showcase Your Technical Expertise
Be prepared to discuss your experience with psychometric principles and data analysis. Highlight specific examples where you've successfully applied these skills in previous roles, especially in managing assessment validity.
✨Communicate Effectively with Diverse Audiences
Since the role involves working with both technical and non-technical stakeholders, practice explaining complex concepts in simple terms. This will demonstrate your ability to bridge gaps between different teams and ensure everyone is on the same page.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills and decision-making processes. Think of scenarios where you've had to manage risks to validity or lead cross-functional teams, and be ready to discuss your approach and outcomes.
