Senior Director, Academic Content

Overview

At ACT, Your Work Makes a Difference

Education has power – a power that changes lives forever. It creates opportunities that lift up individuals, their families, and sparks societal change that echoes through generations to come. From our grassroots we have fought the good fight for equity in education, and we remain devoted to helping anyone who struggles to access that power. This is what matters to us and we must do better -- we’ve never been more sure of our purpose. 

 

ACT team members are part of an organization dedicated to a mission that has never been more important:  Helping people achieve education and workplace success.  Advancing that mission within our organization, by helping our team members achieve education and workplace success of their own, is core to our values. ACT values a diverse workplace and is committed to fostering an inclusive, equitable environment in which every team member has an opportunity to grow.

 

We want our team members to have the well-being and confidence they need to do their best work, in an environment where both they and ACT thrive.   To support this, our total rewards include company paid life insurance, medical, dental, vision, flexible health and dependent spending accounts, 401(k) retirement savings with company match, paid holidays, paid time off, and so much more.  You can find a comprehensive list of our benefits here.

 

We are seeking a Senior Director, Academic Content to help us fulfill that mission. 

 

The Senior Director, Academic Content will be responsible for leading a team that creates, develops, and executes evidence-based product and service content to drive business outcomes.  Plays a critical role in shaping the strategic development and implementation of academic content that align with the organization’s goals and objectives. This role requires a visionary leader with a strong background in assessment research, content development, and innovation assessment creation technologies.

 

The finalist will be hired at the salary and level commensurate with their qualifications.  For this position, we anticipate offering an annual salary in the range $150,000 - $170,000, depending on experience.  ACT manages salaries within the range based on relevant factors including, skills, experience, and internal equity. 

 

Location: Remote (can also be onsite or hybrid if in Iowa City, Iowa area)

 

What you will be working on:

• Strategic Leadership: Develop and implement plans for academic content and assessment systems that align with the organization’s goals and objectives.
• Development: Oversee the creation and maintenance of high-quality measurement products and related content, ensuring they meet standards and address the needs of the target audience.
• Design:  Lead the team who will serve as subject matter experts in design activities related to the development of measurement products/services partnering with ACT’s measurement teams to meet the validity and efficacy claims.
• Innovation: Stay updated on latest trends and assessment technology driving transformation to cutting-edge methodologies, processes, and technologies. Lead initiatives to integrate AI/ML technologies into assessment systems to enhance accuracy, efficiency, and personalization.
• Stakeholder Collaboration: Work with internal and external stakeholders specifically partnering with the leader of Research to ensure validity, reliability, content relevance and effectiveness.
• Team Leadership: Manage and mentor a team of content developers, designers, and other staff including coaching, performance management, and professional development.

Role Progression:

• 1 Month
  • Familiarize with the ACT’s mission, values, key stakeholders, markets, and customers.
  • Begin assessing the current state of academic content, identifying strengths and areas for improvement.
  • Start building relationships with team members, other departments, and key external partners/stakeholders.
• 3 Months:
  • Develop a plan for academic content, aligning with the organization’s goals and objectives.
  • Evaluate the team’s skills and capabilities, and identify any gaps. Begin implementing training or hiring plans if necessary.
  • Start key projects or initiatives that will drive improvements and transformation in academic content.
• 6 Months:
  • Begin executing the plan and monitor progress against key performance indicators (KPIs).
  • Regularly review and refine processes to ensure continuous improvement and transformation in academic content.
  • Strengthen rela