Director, Assessment Design

Are you an assessment design expert who has shaped how professional competence is measured in high-stakes environments? Have you worked with task-based or performance-oriented assessments that moved organisations beyond traditional exam formats? Would you value the opportunity to build applied assessment capability within one of the world’s most respected professional qualifications? CFA Institute is evolving its global credentialing and certificate programmes towards more applied, skills-based assessment. We are seeking a Director, Assessment Design to introduce and advance task-based, scenario-based and performance-oriented approaches within our high-stakes assessments. This is a newly created, strategic individual contributor role with broad cross-functional influence. You will work in close partnership with Exam Development, Psychometrics, Product and Learning Content teams to design defensible, scalable assessment models that measure real-world professional competence across CFA Institute programmes. What You’ll Do Design and develop task-based, scenario-based and performance-oriented assessment components that complement traditional exam items Apply Evidence-Centered Design principles to define claims, evidence and task models before item development begins Translate real-world professional tasks into assessable activities that measure applied competence Partner with subject matter experts to create diverse assessment formats including constructed-response, case-based and performance tasks Develop scoring approaches, including human scoring rubrics and AI-assisted models with human oversight Contribute to technology-enabled assessments such as spreadsheet, workflow or coding-based tasks Collaborate with psychometric and product colleagues to ensure validity, reliability, fairness and defensibility Introduce applied assessment approaches into established workflows without disrupting operational integrity Pilot and scale new assessment models within high-stakes, globally delivered professional qualifications What We’re Looking For Significant experience leading assessment design within high-stakes credentialing, licensure or large-scale testing environments, ideally within professional associations or applied assessment-focused organisations Demonstrated expertise in Evidence-Centered Design, including defining claims, evidence and task models prior to item development Proven experience designing task-based or performance-oriented assessments beyond traditional multiple-choice formats Strong understanding of assessment validity, reliability, fairness and defensibility in high-stakes contexts Experience developing assessment frameworks, tools or exemplars that build organisational capability Experience influencing and collaborating across matrixed, cross-functional environments without direct authority Experience designing or implementing technology-enabled or simulation-based assessment tasks preferred Experience developing scoring rubrics, including AI-assisted scoring approaches, preferred Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred but not essential Why Join Us Shape and define a newly established capability across globally recognised credentialing and certificate programmes Influence the evolution of a gold-standard professional qualification at a pivotal moment Establish yourself as a recognised internal authority in applied assessment design At CFA Institute, we are committed to transparency and equity in our hiring process. In compliance with wage transparency laws in many of the jurisdictions in which we recruit, we provide the following information regarding compensation for this position: Expected salary range: US $130,000-$180,000 / UK £90,000-£120,000 per year. All salary ranges are subject to adjustment based on experience, education, location and other factors relevant to the position. Additional benefits include eligibility for an annual incentive bonus, a 12% employer contribution to a 401(k)/pension plan, and a comprehensive medical benefits package. #LI-BQ1 About CFA Institute CFA Institute are the global leader in investment excellence and ethics. With nearly 200,000 charterholders across 160 markets, we drive professional growth, ethical behavior, and better markets. We care about our employees’ well-being, offering industry-leading benefits like: Comprehensive health coverage for you and your family Generous leave and time off Competitive retirement plans Flexible work options Wellness, education, and support programs If you feel this opportunity could be the next step in your career, we encourage you to click “Apply” and complete our three-minute application. Be part of a team committed to putting investors first and growing economies. Follow us @CFAInstitute on LinkedIn and X. Important Message: Your application must clearly demonstrate how you meet the requirements as CFA Institute cannot make assumptions about your education, experience, or location. We thank all those who apply. Only those selected for further consideration will be contacted. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. CFA Institute prohibits both discrimination and harassment with regard to all identifying characteristics: any individual employee, group of employees, or prospective employee on the basis of race, color, national origin, citizenship or immigration status, religion, creed or belief, age, marital or partnership status, marital or family status, care giver status, pregnancy and maternity, sexual and other reproductive health decisions, physical abilities/qualities, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, predisposing genetic characteristic, military or veteran status, status as a victim or witness of domestic violence or sex offense or stalking, unemployment status, infectious disease carrier status, migrant worker status, educational background, socio-economic status, geographic location and culture or any other basis protected by applicable law. This policy impacts all aspects of employment, including but not limited to, recruitment, hiring, compensation, training, development, promotion, demotion, layoff, recall, furlough, transfer, leave of absence, and dismissal. This is a global policy that applies to all CFA Institute employees, regardless of location. If, due to a disability or current medical condition, you need an accommodation or assistance to complete a job application, you can request one at any stage of the recruitment process. Please send an email to humanresources@cfainstitute.org noting the accommodations or assistance you are requesting. Please do not include any medical or health information in this email. We will review your request and contact you to discuss the possible options and arrangements. We will try our best to provide you with an accommodation or assistance that meets your needs and respects your preferences. Our application is not compatible with Internet Explorer (IE). We recommend using Chrome. When you work at CFA Institute, you become part of something bigger. We are a globally renowned company, continually striving to promote the highest standards of ethics and professional excellence in the investment industry. The skills and experience you develop during your career helps us achieve that mission – by investing in our employees, we can all succeed. Professional Development When you're able to continually develop your skills and capabilities, we can work together towards a better future. Health & Well-being Our benefits packages compare with the best in the industry, because what matters most to you matters to us. Corporate Citizenship We support community engagement, including a volunteer time off benefit so you can help serve your community. Culture The values of Curiosity, Inclusion, Trust, and Service guide our actions, creating a culture where you feel supported. Inclusion & Diversity Through initiatives like Employee Resource Groups, every one of us can feel welcomed, respected, and safe. Sustainability We are committed to environmental sustainability with continuous efforts to track and mitigate our carbon emissions.