Assessment & Learning Design Manager

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Assessment & Learning Design Manager

Company: British Council

Location: United Kingdom or Poland

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Learning & Development Operations / Product Management

Date Posted: 2026-06-08T23:00:00

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Spearhead the design, quality assurance, and ongoing effectiveness of integrated learning and assessment products for Schools, Higher Education, and Work audiences, ensuring pedagogical integrity and customer value.

• Drive the development, maintenance, and iteration of assessment and learning content, adhering to stringent pedagogical outcomes, compliance standards, and British Council brand guidelines, including EDI and accessibility.

• Champion the strategic integration of data analytics and test statistics to rigorously assess and enhance the impact and effectiveness of learning and assessment products throughout their lifecycle.

• Cultivate and disseminate expert knowledge on pedagogical design and product effectiveness to both internal teams and external stakeholders, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and innovation in educational offerings.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned at a strategic level, demanding a blend of deep educational expertise and robust product development/management capabilities. It requires a proactive approach to integrating data analytics for product optimization, aligning with the broader GTM strategy of educational product delivery.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Learning and Assessment Content Design: Collaborate with Research and Impact, Proposition, Portfolio, and Product/Content Creation leads to conceptualize and build curricula and assessments that meet global and national standards, ensuring validity, reliability, and actionable learner results.

• Quality Assurance & Compliance: Deploy and manage agreed quality assurance frameworks and templates for content and assessment item development, ensuring strict adherence to accuracy, relevance, efficacy, and British Council brand standards, including EDI, accessibility, AI policies, and safeguarding.

• Stakeholder Collaboration: Foster unified, close collaboration across Marketing, Proposition, Product, Research & Impact, Content Creation, and Content Management teams to ensure assessment and learning content aligns precisely with customer, market, and business objectives.

• Innovation & Best Practices: Commission and implement ongoing research into best practices in assessment design, psychometrics, and learning design, ensuring content and assessments remain innovative, effective, and aligned with emerging educational technologies.

• Data-Driven Improvement: Utilize data and analytics to critically assess the effectiveness of content and assessments across the product lifecycle, making data-informed recommendations for enhancements based on performance data and learner outcomes.

• Project & Budget Management: Plan and prioritize work activities for effective project and program design and delivery, balancing quality assurance, compliance, cost, and time factors within agreed budgets for learning and assessment design phases.

• Bias Mitigation: Design assessment and learning solutions that minimize or eliminate bias through careful scrutiny and selection of data collection approaches and dataset application, with support from Research and Impact colleagues.

• Knowledge Dissemination: Develop, maintain, and disseminate knowledge on pedagogical design and product effectiveness to internal and external stakeholders, acting as a subject matter expert.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities clearly indicate a need for strong project management skills, direct experience with educational product lifecycles, and a data-centric approach to decision-making. The emphasis on collaboration and knowledge sharing highlights the importance of strong communication and influence within a global organization.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Higher English Language Teaching, Assessment, or Applied Linguistics qualification (PhD, Masters, DELTA, Dip TESOL, or equivalent) is required. Experience:

• Extensive experience in English language learning design and/or English language assessment development.

• Proven experience in product development and/or management, including digital and online products.

• Substantial experience working with data analytics tools and performing statistical analysis on test data to assess and improve the impact and effectiveness of learning and assessment products.

• Demonstrated experience managing test seeding, pre-testing, and piloting processes.

• Relevant experience of working within a global business environment.

• Familiarity with compliance and regulatory standards related to educational content (e.g., Ofqual, safeguarding policies). Required Skills:

• Pedagogical Design & Curriculum Development: Expertise in designing effective learning pathways and assessment frameworks aligned with educational standards.

• Assessment Design & Psychometrics: In-depth understanding of assessment principles, item development, validity, reliability, and psychometric analysis.

• Data Analytics & Statistical Analysis: Proficiency in utilizing data to evaluate product performance, identify trends, and drive improvements, including statistical analysis of test data.

• Product Lifecycle Management: Experience managing products from conception through development, launch, and iteration, with a focus on digital and online offerings.

• Quality Assurance & Compliance: Ability to implement and manage QA frameworks, ensuring adherence to brand standards, regulatory requirements, and accessibility guidelines.

• Stakeholder Management & Collaboration: Proven ability to work effectively with diverse internal and external stakeholders, fostering strong relationships and alignment.

Preferred Skills:

• Understanding of Accessibility and Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) principles as applied to learning and assessment.

• Experience utilizing Agile product development and management methodologies.

• Deeper knowledge in specialized areas such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) in education, young learners, or employment-focused learning.

• Experience with international educational standards and regulatory bodies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Minimum / essential requirements" and "Role specific skills" sections are crucial for identifying core competencies. The preferred skills suggest areas where candidates can differentiate themselves, particularly in modern educational technology and inclusive design practices.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Case Studies in Product Development: Showcase end-to-end development of learning or assessment products, detailing the design process, stakeholder collaboration, and problem-solving methodologies.

• Data-Driven Impact Analysis: Present examples of how data analytics and statistical testing were used to evaluate product effectiveness, identify areas for improvement, and demonstrate measurable outcomes.

• Process Optimization Examples: Illustrate instances where you improved existing learning or assessment design processes, leading to enhanced quality, efficiency, or compliance.

• Cross-Functional Project Examples: Demonstrate experience working collaboratively with diverse teams (e.g., research, content creation, marketing) to deliver integrated educational solutions.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design & Optimization: Provide documentation or descriptions of how you design, map, and optimize workflows for content creation, assessment item development, and quality assurance processes.

• System Implementation & Integration: Detail experience in implementing or integrating new systems or tools for learning design, assessment management, or data analysis, highlighting challenges and solutions.

• Measurement & Performance Analysis: Showcase how you establish metrics, track performance, and report on the success of learning and assessment products, including methods for continuous monitoring.

📝 Enhancement Note: For this role, a portfolio should heavily emphasize concrete examples of learning and assessment product development, showcasing not just the design but also the rigorous application of data analysis and quality assurance processes. Demonstrating an understanding of the full product lifecycle and its operational components is key.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Poland: PLN 192,000 - 252,000 per annum

• UK: £38,000 - £46,000 per annum

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Health Coverage: Access to robust health and medical insurance plans tailored to local regulations in the UK and Poland.

• Retirement/Pension Schemes: Participation in employer-sponsored pension or retirement savings plans, with contributions aligned with local statutory requirements.

• Generous Annual Leave: A competitive allowance for paid time off, typically exceeding statutory minimums, to support work-life balance.

• Professional Development Support: Opportunities for continuous learning, including access to training, workshops, conferences, and potential sponsorship for relevant certifications or advanced degrees.

• Hybrid Work Model: Flexibility to balance remote work with in-office collaboration, supporting a productive and adaptable work environment.

• Employee Assistance Programs: Access to confidential counseling and support services for personal and professional well-being.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time hours are approximately 40 hours per week, with flexibility offered within a hybrid work arrangement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary ranges are provided for both Poland and the UK, reflecting the dual location possibility. The benefits are inferred based on typical offerings for a global organization like the British Council, emphasizing professional growth and employee well-being, crucial for attracting and retaining talent in specialized roles.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Education Services / International Cultural Relations

Company Size: Large (The British Council operates globally with thousands of employees, indicating a large, complex organizational structure.)

Founded: 1934 (This long history suggests a stable, established organization with a deep understanding of its mission and operational needs.)

Team Structure:

• Departmental Focus: The role sits within the "English & Exams / Product / Content Strategy" unit, indicating a specialized team focused on the strategic development and management of educational products.

• Reporting Line: Likely reports to a Head of Product, Director of Content Strategy, or a senior leader within the English & Exams division, with direct management of learning and assessment design functions.

• Cross-functional Integration: The role requires extensive collaboration with Research & Impact, Proposition, Product Management, Content Creation, Marketing, and potentially regional operational teams, highlighting a matrixed and collaborative environment.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Emphasis on using data analytics, psychometrics, and user testing to inform product design and improvements.

• Agile Principles (Desirable): Potential application of Agile methodologies for product development and iteration, promoting flexibility and responsiveness.

• Quality & Compliance Focus: Strong adherence to established quality assurance frameworks, regulatory standards, and ethical guidelines (EDI, safeguarding, AI policies).

Company Website: britishcouncil.org

📝 Enhancement Note: The British Council's mission of fostering cultural relations and educational opportunities shapes its culture towards expertise, inclusivity, and a commitment to quality. The role's placement within a product and content strategy unit underscores a focus on operational excellence in educational product delivery.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is a management position within a specialized operational function (learning and assessment design). It sits above individual contributor roles and below senior leadership, requiring strategic oversight and team coordination. It demands a blend of technical expertise in education and operational management skills.

Reporting Structure: Expected to report to a senior leader within the Product or Content Strategy division, likely a Head of Product or Director. May have direct reports or manage work through matrixed teams and external vendors.

Operations Impact: The role directly impacts the quality, effectiveness, and commercial viability of the British Council's learning and assessment products. Successful execution leads to enhanced learner outcomes, stronger market positioning, and achievement of strategic business objectives for the English & Exams division.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Progression: Potential to advance into senior product management, content strategy leadership, or broader divisional management roles within the British Council.

• Specialization Expansion: Deepen expertise in emerging areas like AI in education, advanced psychometrics, or specific market segments (e.g., young learners, professional development).

• Global Mobility: Opportunities to work on international projects, contribute to global product strategy, and potentially move into roles with broader geographical responsibilities.

• Skill Development: Continuous learning in areas like Agile methodologies, advanced data analytics for education, and inclusive design practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a clear path for career growth within the educational product development and operations space, focusing on both technical depth and leadership capabilities. The global nature of the British Council provides unique opportunities for international exposure and career diversification.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid

Office Location(s): United Kingdom and Poland. Candidates must be full-time residents with the right to work in either country.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Hubs: The hybrid model suggests a blend of focused individual work (likely remote) and collaborative sessions in offices designed to facilitate teamwork, brainstorming, and stakeholder meetings.

• Technology-Enabled: Access to modern digital tools and platforms for project management, data analysis, content development, and communication, supporting both remote and in-office work.

• Cross-Functional Interaction: The role intrinsically involves frequent interaction with diverse teams, fostering a dynamic and intellectually stimulating work environment at the intersection of education, technology, and international business.

Work Schedule:

• Standard full-time, approximately 40 hours per week. The hybrid arrangement offers flexibility in structuring the work week, balancing remote and office-based days to optimize productivity and collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid work model is a critical aspect of the work environment, requiring individuals to be self-motivated and adept at managing their time effectively across different work settings. The international locations offer distinct cultural and professional experiences within a unified organizational framework.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of application, CV, and any initial assessments to gauge suitability against core requirements.

• Hiring Manager Interview: Discussion focused on experience, technical skills in learning/assessment design, understanding of product development, and alignment with role responsibilities.

• Panel Interview/Assessment: May involve a presentation of a portfolio or a case study related to learning/assessment design, data analysis, or product strategy. This stage often includes behavioral questions assessing cultural fit with British Council values (Open, Committed, Expert, Inclusive, Optimistic, Bold).

• Final Interview: Potentially with a senior leader to confirm fit and discuss strategic alignment.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Showcase Impact: Clearly articulate the problem addressed, the solution designed, the processes followed, and the measurable impact (e.g., improved learner scores, increased efficiency, compliance achieved).

• Quantify Achievements: Use data, metrics, and statistics wherever possible to demonstrate the effectiveness of your work and the ROI of your contributions.

• Highlight Collaboration: Illustrate how you worked with diverse teams and stakeholders, showcasing your communication and influencing skills.

• Demonstrate Process Mastery: Explain your approach to curriculum design, assessment development, quality assurance, and data analysis, including any tools or methodologies used.

• Tailor to the Role: Emphasize experience relevant to English language learning/assessment, global product development, and compliance.

Challenge Preparation:

• Case Study: Be prepared to analyze a scenario related to learning/assessment product design, quality assurance, or data interpretation. Focus on structured problem-solving, data-driven recommendations, and consideration of stakeholder needs.

• Presentation Skills: Practice presenting complex information clearly and concisely, articulating your strategy, process, and outcomes effectively.

• Behavioral Questions: Prepare examples using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to demonstrate how you embody the British Council's values and handle common workplace challenges.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a portfolio showcasing data-driven impact and collaboration is paramount. Candidates should prepare to articulate their strategic thinking and operational execution in educational product development, aligning their experience with the British Council's mission and values.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Learning Management Systems (LMS): Experience with platforms like Moodle, Blackboard, Canvas, or proprietary systems for content delivery and learner tracking.

• Assessment Platforms: Familiarity with tools for creating, delivering, and scoring assessments (e.g., Questionmark, specialized psychometric software).

• Content Authoring Tools: Proficiency in tools like Articulate Storyline, Adobe Captivate, or similar for developing interactive learning modules.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Data Analysis Software: Experience with tools such as Excel (advanced functions, PivotTables), SPSS, R, or Python for statistical analysis of test data and performance metrics.

• Business Intelligence (BI) Tools: Familiarity with platforms like Tableau, Power BI, or Looker for creating dashboards and visualizing performance data.

• Web Analytics: Understanding of tools like Google Analytics for tracking user engagement with digital learning products.

CRM & Automation:

• While not explicitly a CRM role, understanding how learning/assessment products integrate with CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce) for customer management and sales enablement could be beneficial.

• Workflow Automation: Experience with tools that automate content workflows, review processes, or reporting.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role requires a strong command of educational technology, data analysis tools, and project management software. Proficiency in statistical analysis and data visualization is critical for assessing product effectiveness and informing strategic decisions.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Open and Committed: Demonstrating transparency in processes and a dedicated approach to achieving project goals and quality standards.

• Expert and Inclusive: Applying deep subject matter expertise in learning and assessment design while ensuring products are accessible and equitable for all learners.

• Optimistic and Bold: Approaching challenges with a positive outlook, willingness to innovate, and courage to implement new ideas for product enhancement.

• Data-Driven: A foundational commitment to using evidence, analytics, and testing to inform all decisions related to product design and effectiveness.

• Collaborative: Valuing teamwork, open communication, and shared responsibility across diverse internal and external stakeholder groups.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Proactive engagement with various departments to ensure alignment and synergy in product development and delivery.

• Feedback-Oriented: Actively seeking and incorporating feedback from end-users, educators, and internal teams to drive continuous improvement.

• Knowledge Sharing: A culture that encourages the dissemination of best practices, research findings, and lessons learned across teams and the wider organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: The British Council's core values are central to its operational ethos. Candidates should prepare to demonstrate how their approach to work, decision-making, and collaboration aligns with these values, particularly in how they foster expertise, inclusivity, and a data-informed, optimistic approach to product development.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Global Standards with Local Needs: Designing learning and assessment products that are globally consistent yet adaptable to diverse national contexts and learner populations.

• Integrating New Technologies: Staying abreast of and effectively integrating emerging technologies like AI into learning and assessment design while ensuring ethical use and pedagogical soundness.

• Managing Complex Stakeholder Landscapes: Navigating the needs and expectations of numerous internal departments, external partners, and end-users to achieve consensus and drive project success.

• Data Interpretation & Actionability: Translating complex statistical data and user feedback into clear, actionable insights for product improvement and strategic decision-making.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Psychometrics & Assessment Theory: Opportunities to deepen knowledge in specialized areas of educational measurement and evaluation.

• AI in Education: Training and exposure to the latest developments and applications of AI in learning design, assessment, and content generation.

• Agile Product Management: Formal training or practical experience in adopting Agile frameworks for faster, more iterative product development cycles.

• Global Product Strategy: Involvement in shaping the strategic direction of educational products across the British Council's international network.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are typical for a global educational organization focused on innovation and impact. The growth opportunities highlight the role's potential for continuous professional development in cutting-edge areas of educational technology and product management.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "How would you approach designing a new assessment for [specific audience, e.g., young learners] that balances validity, reliability, and engagement, while also considering scalability for a global rollout?" (Focus on process, data, and stakeholder alignment.)

• "Describe a time you used data analytics to significantly improve the effectiveness or impact of a learning or assessment product. What was your methodology, and what were the results?" (Prepare a STAR example emphasizing data interpretation and quantitative impact.)

• "How do you ensure that learning and assessment content adheres to both global pedagogical best practices and local regulatory compliance standards, such as Ofqual requirements?" (Highlight understanding of standards, QA processes, and adaptability.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "Based on your understanding of the British Council's mission and values, how would you apply 'Expert and Inclusive' principles to your role as an Assessment & Learning Design Manager?" (Connect personal approach to organizational values.)

• "How would you foster collaboration between the Content Strategy team, Research & Impact, and Content Creation teams to ensure a unified approach to product development?" (Demonstrate understanding of cross-functional collaboration and communication strategies.)

• "What role do you see data playing in the continuous improvement of educational products at an organization like the British Council?" (Express a data-driven mindset and strategic vision.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each portfolio piece, clearly outline the problem, your role, the process/solution, the data/evidence used, and the measurable outcomes/impact.

• Quantify Everything Possible: Use numbers, percentages, and metrics to demonstrate the scale and success of your projects.

• Highlight Collaboration: Explain how you worked with different teams and stakeholders, showcasing your ability to influence and align others.

• Showcase Process Rigor: Detail your approach to design, QA, data analysis, and compliance, demonstrating your operational expertise.

• Connect to British Council: Briefly explain how your experience and approach align with the British Council's mission and values.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation should focus on articulating a data-informed, collaborative, and strategically aligned approach to learning and assessment product design. Candidates must be ready to demonstrate their expertise through concrete examples and connect their experience to the specific needs and values of the British Council.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Assessment & Learning Design Manager position:

• Submit your application via the British Council careers portal, ensuring all sections are completed accurately.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 2-3 key projects that best showcase your experience in learning/assessment design, data analysis, product management, and cross-functional collaboration. Prepare concise case study summaries for each.

• Optimize Your Resume: Tailor your CV to highlight keywords and responsibilities mentioned in the job description, such as "assessment design," "learning design," "product management," "data analytics," "psychometrics," and "stakeholder management." Quantify your achievements with specific metrics.

• Prepare for Presentation: Practice articulating your portfolio pieces and responses to potential interview questions. Be ready to discuss your approach to problem-solving, data utilization, and collaboration.

• Research the British Council: Familiarize yourself with the organization's mission, values, and recent work in English language teaching and assessment. Understand their commitment to inclusivity and global reach.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.

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