The Leader in Online Testing
Item Development Manager
Apply Return to ListingsJob Overview:
We are currently looking for an Item Development Manager (IDM) with expertise in Content and Test Development to join our team. IDMs play a crucial role in the successful execution of projects at CAI. They work across content areas as well as all components of a project (tech team, operations, production, config, TDs, etc.). They are responsible for ensuring tasks are recorded accurately as well as ensuring the content teams have a full understanding of the scope of work for the projects. They maintain excellent relationships with clients. They also monitor the scope of work as well as client requests to make sure everything stays in balance.
Job Responsibilities:
- Writes, reviews, and provides feedback on blueprints, and translates them into an effective item pool development plan.
- Participates in standard setting meetings as the Standard Setting Leader.
- Manages item development for all content areas on complex or multi-state projects.
- Oversees Content Leads in the development of an item pool for state projects.
- Identifies and escalates complex issues.
- Executes a complex plan or solution that is vetted by Test Development leadership.
- Identifies risks to scope, schedule, and budget, escalating and monitoring resolution of risks.
- Monitors scope and budget, clarifying new tasks and escalating appropriately to ensure work stays within budget.
- Leads Content and Test Development trainings, including preparation for standard setting.
- Reviews and provides feedback on proposed development schedules.
- Manages client expectations effectively and ensures all client requests are resolved in a thorough and timely manner.
- Oversees and may lead client facing meetings, including content advisory, rubric validation, range finding, data review, and other meetings as needed.
Job Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree required
- At least 8 years of experience leading development of content for large-scale summative assessments or equivalent relevant experience required
- At least 3 years of experience in a leadership role (People or Project management) required
- Solid knowledge and expertise in one or more content areas
- Proven knowledge and experience with the U.S. Education System and Education Assessment is required
- Experience writing responses to high-stakes and/or formative assessment Requests for Proposals (RFPs) preferred
- Analytical skills and attention to detail
- Ability to identify problems and conceptualize solutions
- Ability to prioritize and meet deadlines
- Skilled in collaboration, communication, and multi-tasking
- Required travel for this position ranges from 1 week to 6 weeks per year for 2-5 days at a time
Why Work With Us?
When you work with Cambium Assessment, you’ll be helping to design and build inspiring solutions that make a real impact on the online testing industry, as well as the educators and students we support.
Our ground breaking work includes:
Advanced computer-adaptive algorithms
Mobile support of user interfaces
Learning management systems with social media features
Universally accessible user interfaces
Machine scorable items
In the 2024 school year, we delivered more than 126 million online tests, and successfully supported peak testing volumes exceeding 1.5 million simultaneous test takers. We have the most advanced features of any online testing system, and we continue to push boundaries to improve student performance measurement and enabling educators with actionable insights to drive better overall educational outcomes for our students. To learn more about our organization and the exciting work we do, visit www.cambiumassessment.com.
Our Remote First approach gives employees the flexibility and trust they need to effectively balance work with life. It creates a culture in which all employees are valued and where success is measured in results. It allows us to work collaboratively, inclusively and for greater positive impact, regardless of our individual locations.
If you will be working remotely, either occasionally or on a permanent basis, you must have a reliable internet connection through a cable or fiber-optic broadband service with minimum speeds of 10 Mbps download and 5 Mbps upload.
The successful candidate will be expected to actively participate in video-based interviews during the recruiting process and ongoing virtual meetings with their camera on, as part of their role.
As part of our Remote-First benefits, Cambium offers reimbursement to help cover the cost of setting up your home or remote office.
An Equal Opportunity Employer
We are dedicated to fostering a culture that celebrates unique backgrounds, ideas, and experiences. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without discrimination on the basis of race, color, age, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender, gender identity/expression, or sexual orientation), national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or genetic information (including family medical history).
We will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities. You may request an accommodation during the recruiting process with your Talent Acquisition team member.
About Us

We are Cambium Assessment, a Cambium Learning® Group company.
As the leader in online testing for K-12 state education standards, Cambium Assessment delivers secure, reliable, and scalable assessment solutions that improve student performance while supporting state education accountability. Through proven technology, research-backed psychometrics, and advanced machine learning, our solutions help reduce test time for students while improving educational outcomes.
We’re looking for smart, creative, and enthusiastic professionals to join our innovative team of software engineers, designers, project managers and software specialists.
About Cambium
Cambium Learning® Group is the education essentials company.
With an intentionally curated portfolio of respected global brands, Cambium serves as a leader in the education space, helping millions of educators and students feel more universally valued each and every day. In everything we do and across all our brands, we focus on the elements that are most essential to the success of education
The Cambium family includes:
- Cambium Success Services
- Cambium Assessment
- Lexia® Learning
- Learning A-Z®
- Voyager Sopris Learning®
- ExploreLearning®
- Time4Learning®
- Kurzweil Education®
Why Cambium?
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Benefits
Learn how Cambium is building a culture with benefits that help our people feel seen, valued and supported.
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Remote First
Learn how Cambium accomodates a flexible approach to work wherever works for you.
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