Senior Director, Language Assessment and Instruction Research

Company Description

The Center for Applied Linguistics is a nonprofit organization promoting access, equity and mutual understanding for linguistically and culturally diverse people around the world.

The mission of the Center for Applied Linguistics (CAL) is to promote language learning and cultural understanding by serving as a trusted source for research, resources, and policy analysis. Through its work, CAL seeks solutions to issues involving language and culture as they relate to access and equity in education and society around the globe.

Job Description

**Applicants must submit a Résumé and Cover Letter to be considered for this position.**

The Center for Applied Linguistics is located in Washington DC. This is a hybrid position, and the employee may choose to work in their preferred combination of in person at the office in a hoteling capacity, or remotely. Candidates for this position are preferred to reside within the DC Metro area (DC/Maryland/Virginia). Staff may work from locations outside of Washington DC, Maryland, or Virginia if approved for telework. However, this position is not open to candidates residing in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Texas, California, or the U.S. Territories.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Senior Director, Language Assessment and Instruction Research, supports CAL’s mission and provides direction and oversight for a portfolio of initiatives related to language assessments, applied language education research, and in particular, research, policy and practice in the field of world languages. The Senior Director leads a multi-disciplinary unit and provides technical guidance on language research and assessment design methodology, development, analysis, and implementation. The Senior Director provides leadership for the continued renewal of the BEST PLUS and BEST Literacy adult language assessments, and for marketing and sales. In addition, the Senior Director identifies opportunities for new business, including establishing partnerships with similarly positioned organizations to advance CAL’s mission, values, and business priorities. The Senior Director serves on CAL’s Executive Leadership Team to provide strategic leadership within the organization. The Senior Director represents CAL internally and externally and contributes to scholarly and industry presentations and publications.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

• Lead CAL’s adult ESL assessment initiatives, including responsibility for ensuring that the assessments continue to meet requirements from the US Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education for use within the National Reporting System.
• Provide leadership for the execution of CAL’s diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice initiatives within the Language Assessment and Instruction Research unit.
• Plan and manage the financial performance of CAL’s adult English assessment and assessment research program area.
• Oversee and direct a portfolio of projects related to language assessment research and evaluation.
• Collaborate with division staff in pursuing new projects in the program area, identifying and acquiring new funding sources, and monitoring for new market segments.
• Provide methodological support to research efforts within the division and across the organization, including to CAL’s Director of World Languages and to K-12 evaluation efforts as needed.
• Collaborate and coordinate work with the VP for Programs and Development, and with CAL Directors in business development, including sponsored research proposals, and delivery of service activities.
• Prepare grant applications and serve as Project Director or Senior Advisor for project implementation.
• Collaborate and coordinate work with the VP for Programs and Development, and with CAL Directors in business development and delivery of service activities.
• Collaborate with CAL administrative and communication staff in all areas related to work performed.
• Participate and provide leadership in CAL mission related activities.
• Direct the coordination and deployment of CAL staff, subcontractors, and consultants to ensure that obligations for service delivery are met.
• Mentor and supervise unit staff.
• Represent CAL to project partners and the public, including contributing to CAL and external publications on a regular basis and attending and presenting at professional conferences.

Qualifications

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Doctoral degree in educational research, educational psychology, measurement, applied linguistics, or a related field and a minimum of 10 years of successful demonstrated experience, including management and leadership in the areas of language and education research and assessment.
• Experie