Deputy Director, Assessment Initiative

Job Posting Organization:
The organization is the largest nonprofit dedicated to combating poverty, disease, and inequity globally. It was founded on the principle that every individual, regardless of their identity or circumstances, deserves the opportunity to lead a healthy and productive life. The foundation emphasizes the importance of diversity among its employees, reflecting the varied global populations it serves. It offers an exceptional benefits package that includes comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage with no premiums, generous paid time off, paid family leave, a foundation-paid retirement contribution, regional holidays, and opportunities for employees to engage in various community initiatives. The organization is committed to fostering an environment that promotes both personal and professional growth for its employees.

Job Overview:
The director" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Deputy Director for the Assessment Initiative within the U.S. Program is tasked with the design, planning, implementation, evaluation, and monitoring of innovative research and development activities. This role involves providing leadership and direct management to a team of program officers who are responsible for developing core public goods and intervention support that can be disseminated and adopted by a wide range of partners. The Deputy Director will guide team members in managing portfolios of foundation investments, including grants and contracts, and will work closely with external partners to drive progress. The position requires managing relationships with grantees and contractors, providing updates to foundation leadership, and representing the foundation at external meetings and conferences. The Deputy Director will collaborate with colleagues from other teams to ensure that the assessment-related public goods created support educational actors in understanding student capabilities and facilitate smooth transitions for learners across various institutions and sectors.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Deputy Director will lead a team of program officers to execute the defined Assessment Initiative strategy in partnership with grantees, aiming to deliver measurable impact against established milestones. Responsibilities include designing collaborations and implementation plans to ensure long-term sustainability and impact, engaging with leaders both within and outside the foundation regarding programmatic strategies, and identifying key portfolio risks while developing mitigation plans. The role also involves tracking market trends in education products to influence the uptake of high-quality instructional materials, advising and mentoring colleagues and grantees, managing partnerships and grantee relationships through site visits and meetings, and facilitating the development of annual investment plans and budgets in collaboration with the Strategy, Planning and Management team. The Deputy Director will also serve as a spokesperson for the foundation on partner engagement priorities and will be responsible for hiring and managing talent to achieve the foundation’s goals, fostering an inclusive team culture, and modeling equitable decision-making and behaviors.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field or equivalent demonstrated experience, with an advanced degree preferred. They should have expertise in assessment products and markets, a strong understanding of academic research and product development in assessment, and a working knowledge of digital learning markets. General management experience from an ed-tech organization is ideal, particularly with P&L responsibility, and candidates should have experience in enacting R&D strategies that align with the foundation’s goals. Superior skills in strategic planning and implementation, along with fluency in AI applications related to assessments and digitally enabled teaching and learning approaches, are essential. A demonstrated commitment to inclusive practices in product design and development is also required.

Educational Background:
A bachelor’s degree in a relevant field is required, with an advanced degree preferred. This educational background should ideally encompass areas related to education, assessment, or a similar field that supports the responsibilities of the Deputy Director role.

Experience:
Candidates should have significant experience in the education technology sector, particularly in roles that involve strategic planning, product management, and innovation lifecycle management. Experience in K-12 and postsecondary markets is preferred, along with a proven track record of managing teams and projects that align with the foundation’s strategic goals.

Languages:
While the job description does not specify mandatory languages, proficiency in English is likely essential given the location and nature of the work. Additional language skills may be beneficial but are not explicitly required.

Additional Notes:
The position is based in Seattle, and candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States without visa sponsorship. The salary range for this role is between $233,600 and $362,200 USD, with higher ranges for positions in Seattle and Washington D.C. The foundation aims to balance competitive pay with its mission, and new hires typically fall between the minimum and midpoint of the salary range based on their skills and experience. The hiring process includes a standard background check, and accommodations are available for candidates with disabilities during the application process. The foundation is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in its hiring practices.