About WestEd
As a community of over 1,400 researchers, practitioners, consultants, and administrative professionals from all backgrounds and life experiences, we are committed to making a qualitative difference in the lives of youth, children, and adults. We conduct and apply research, develop evidence-based solutions, and provide consulting services across the country in both rural and urban communities to improve equitable outcomes for individuals from infancy through adulthood. Serving as trusted partners in the areas of education, health, and justice, our teams enhance capacity within communities and school districts to prioritize impact by asking the right questions, customizing methodologies, developing relevant tools, and implementing best practices specific to a diverse range of stakeholder needs.
Furthering diversity, equity, and inclusion is core to who we are and how we work. We are committed to working with our clients to illuminate and address disparities, value and elevate diverse voices, and ensure equitable access to our resources and services. Come and join us!
Content Area Description
The Assessment Design and Development (AD&D) team consists of over 50 staff, including a leadership team, project managers, content developers, editors, and graphic artists. We are passionate about developing high quality assessments that are fair, relevant, and accessible to students from all backgrounds, and can be used to inform educational policy and improve student learning. We seek to drive equity and excellence in education by grounding all our work in rigorous research, and to serve as a trusted partner to our clients through our innovative solutions and practical insights.
Position Overview
The Content Area Team Director (CATD) for AD&D is a senior leader who has primary responsibility for business development and setting the strategic direction for the AD&D portfolio of work. AD&D project teams apply content expertise and sound assessment principles to support states and school districts in developing fair and valid assessment systems to inform policy and advance student learning.
Work includes conceptualizing assessment designs and developing customized solutions for clients that are tailored to their unique needs and goals. The CATD serves as the project lead or as a senior advisor on important AD&D projects. As a nationally recognized assessment expert, the CATD builds eminence for AD&D’s work through presentations and publications, and forges alliances with business partners in the field.
This opportunity offers the chance to:
- Expand WestEd’s impact and reputation in educational assessment and innovation, particularly around developing assessments that are culturally and linguistically relevant to all students.
- Leverage expertise and experience to provide high quality assessments tailored to the needs of individual clients.
- Develop relationships with new partners and funders in regions throughout the country.
- Strategically build on WestEd’s portfolio of assessment research, development, and technical assistance projects that promote equitable conditions for learning and development.
As part of WestEd’s shared leadership approach, CATDs divide their time between business development responsibilities at the Division level and leading client-oriented work, including serving as Project Director or Senior Advisor on large design and development projects.
What We’re Looking For
The ideal candidate will have demonstrated success with leading large teams, assessment design and development, proposal writing, and oversight of large, high-profile contracts. This individual will be a recognized expert in educational assessment and assessment policy and will lead the content area’s talent recruitment activities.
The CATD serves on the division leadership team, which works to ensure the division’s operational excellence, support staff development, and create an equitable and supportive workplace culture. The CATD collaborates across Content Areas and Divisions within WestEd to advance coherent, collaborative, innovative, and equity-focused research, development, and professional services, and agency initiatives. This position directs medium- to large-sized projects within the AD&D Content Area, which includes leading project teams, establishing and maintaining relationships with clients, supervising staff, and managing budgets. The time allocated to the CATD role is 20% FTE per year.
Responsibilities
- Direct the AD&D content area team, including setting the strategic direction for the team, mentoring staff and positioning them for career success, establishing and meeting annual revenue targets, and representing the needs and interests of the AD&D team with WestEd’s executive leadership.
- Ensure high-quality delivery of all AD&D projects by establishing and enforcing quality protocols, and serving as a senior advisor for major assessment design and development projects.
- Lead the AD&D Content Area’s business development by identifying proposal opportunities and overseeing development; developing a network of state assessment partners and pursuing bids with them; and developing opportunities for new funders and new work.
- In consultation with the Vice President, develop and implement an annual strategic plan with an emphasis on achieving equity, impact, and growth.
- Build eminence for AD&D work through presentations, papers, and posts.
- Represent WestEd with key education groups, including agencies at the federal, regional, state, and local levels, and philanthropic groups.
- Identify internal and external partnership opportunities consistent with the AD&D team’s business plan and overall goals.
- Support the recruitment and retention of a highly talented and diverse team of professionals for AD&D.
- Supervise and/or mentor mid- to senior-level staff.
- Lead medium- to large-sized projects effectively and efficiently, meeting all client/funder goals on time and within budget.
- Participate in the Division Leadership Team.
- Seek opportunities to collaborate with WestEd’s other Content Areas across Divisions to deepen the impact of WestEd’s work in the field.
- Participate as a member of WestEd’s Program Development Council and in quarterly business development meetings with the Chief Development Officer, division directors, and other members of the executive leadership team.
- Model and ensure AD&D’s alignment with WestEd’s mission, vision, and values.
Qualifications
- Advanced degree (PhD preferred) in educational measurement or a related field.
- Successful record leading proposals and winning competitive contracts/grants from various funding organizations (e.g., federal, state, and local government; foundations).
- At least 7 years of project leadership experience, including proposal writing, project management, staff supervision, report writing, and external relationship management.
- Demonstrated ability to manage complex contracts and budgets.
- Commitment to working collaboratively and effectively with diverse colleagues from across the organization.
- Demonstrated capacity in management, with a particular focus on motivating teams around business development opportunities and writing and managing multi-million-dollar proposal efforts.
- Proven track record of developing strong partnerships and collaborative relationships with clients in districts, states, higher education, foundations, and/or businesses.
- Excellent interpersonal skills that build relational trust and facilitate effective communication with individuals at all levels and from diverse backgrounds.
- Travel requirement 10% for team meetings, including overnights if needed.
Other Skills
- Deep knowledge of assessment design and development.
- Proven track record of successful business development.
- Experience managing large teams and mentoring staff.
- Recognition as a leader in the assessment industry.
- Commitment to WestEd’s mission, vision, and values.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
*Note: Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. Successful candidates must be authorized to work in the United States.
WestEd conducts a criminal background check and education verification for all new hires. Any offers of employment will be contingent on receiving a clear background check in accordance with applicable law.
SALARY AND BENEFITS: The full salary range for this position, WestEd level 14, is $160,000 to $240,000 but WestEd does not typically hire at or near the top of the salary range. The typical hiring range for this role is $160,000 to $200,000. The actual offer takes into account multiple factors including but not limited to education; experience; internal equity, and other organizational needs.
In addition to the base salary, benefits include:
- 15% contribution toward retirement effective day 1 of employment
- Pre-tax Flexible Spending Accounts
- All health/welfare benefits are effective first of the month following hire date
- PTO: 3 weeks’ vacation (increases to 4 weeks beginning the 4th year of employment), paid holidays, and 12 days paid sick leave per year
- Life Insurance: value of 3x gross salary
- Opportunities for annual merit-based performance increases + annual incentives
- Professional development opportunities & mentorship program
For more detail about our benefits, go to: https://www.wested.org/work-at-wested/benefits/
Committed to the diversity of race, ethnicities, perspectives, and opportunities, WestEd offers a variety of social and professional learning communities, such as Employee Resource groups, the Data Intelligence, Insights, and Innovation PLC, and the WestEd Parent Community, just to name a few. We hope you’ll consider joining us to build better schools, communities, learning pathways, and more! WestEd is a Drug Free Employer and maintains a drug-free workplace.
Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)
