Job Information

Educational Testing Service Senior Product Operations Associate in Sacramento, California

About ETS:

For more than 75 years, we have amplified products and services based rigorous research and our belief in the power of learning. Driven by our mission to advance quality and equity in education, ETS provides learning solutions, pioneering research and trusted assessments that help guide learners around the world on their path to new possibilities.

Our portfolio of trusted measures include TOEFL®, TOEIC®, GRE® and Praxis® . Along with research, development and innovation that explores new frontiers in learning and measurement our educational measurement solutions and research contribute to the development of new methods and tools, inform important dialogue with education policymakers, and shed light on critical issues and potential solutions - all with the aim of creating a world where all learners can improve their lives through education.

With new senior leadership at the helm, ETS aims to continue changing the lives of all learners as we expand our organization's global footprint. Our goal is to remain at the forefront of assessment and measurement efficacy within the education and ed tech space as it continues to grow and evolve.

ETS is the state testing contractor for the California Assessment System which includes the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) and the English Language Proficiency Assessment for California (ELPAC). We are a dynamic team that likes to have fun and to support each other, as we focus on going the extra mile to provide excellent value and service to our California client.

The Sr. Product Operations Associate is part of the California Project Management Office (PMO) and will have direct responsibility for end-to-end project management for one or more of our California projects using the industry-accepted principles of project management.

The Sr. Product Operations Associate contributes in the creation of the work plan and executes the day-to-day operations for California K-12 assessments that are developed and administered by ETS, based on the direction provided by the Director of Operational Client Management. Proximity to the the Sacramento, California office is preferred, though most work in this position can be performed remotely.

For each of their assigned projects, the Sr. Product Operations Associate will work with the project’s manager and key subject matter experts. In addition to working with internal team members, the position also will develop and maintain successful working relationships with the client at the California Department of Education. In addition, the role will work directly with the ETS directors on developing and executing strategic improvements to the CA PMO activities.

The ideal candidate will be quick thinking, with an ability to multi-task and shift gears quickly. The ability to absorb knowledge quickly and organizational skills are valued skillsets for this position. The ideal candidate will have understanding of and proven experience in applying the principles of project management. Possession of a current Project Management Professional certification is preferred.

Primary Responsibilities

End-to-End Product Management & Delivery

  • Contributes in the creation of the product work plan and supports execution against the product work plan objectives, including executing projects as assigned

  • Works with FCEs (Functional Centers of Excellence) and ETS partners to meet Service Level Agreements (SLAs)

  • Identifies operational improvement opportunities to enhance product delivery

  • Communicates and collaborates in an effective and clear manner with FCEs / vendors / partners

Contract/SLA Fulfillment

  • Provides status updates on day-to-day operations

  • Provides support to resolve operational issues

  • Executes against SLA’s and KPI’s under the guidance of the Director of Operational Client Management

Financial Management

  • Aids in the development of cost estimates for product operations and enhancements

  • Tracks product-related expenditures against budget

  • Supports attainment of surplus targets by controlling expenses

  • Adheres to ethical standards and comply with the laws and regulations applicable to the job function

#LI-MM1

#LI-REMOTE

Knowledge / Skills

  • Ability to work with cross-functional teams

  • Ability to provide status updates on day-to-day operations; deep understanding of SLA’s and KPI’s

  • Ability to understand client/vendor’s needs and ensure that ETS is meeting those expectations

  • Demonstrated understanding of product operational needs

  • Escalates effectively when faced with uncertainty and / or lack of data by seeking the data necessary to guide decision-making

  • Ability to work independently and make decisions within given scope of work parameters

  • Ability to coordinate a varied set of projects concurrently, including but not limited to managing small projects, event coordination, and facilitating the efforts of small teams

  • Ability to work successfully in both virtual and in-person environments

Education and Experience

  • A Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience from which comparable knowledge and abilities can be acquired is necessary

  • 3+ years of experience in administrative or project management support

  • Knowledge of test development, including test form management, paper and digital test delivery, and summarizing test usage data

  • Technical ability with Microsoft Project to build and manage project schedules, or familiarity with other industry-standard project management tools such as Jira and Smartsheet

  • Technical ability with other tools that produce representation of information to facilitate understanding for a range of audiences, both visually and other forms of communication. This might include a deep knowledge of Microsoft Office tools (PowerPoint, Word, Excel, Visio, etc.) but could include other tools that meet industry standards

Thie salary range for this role is $85,000 to $100,000 per year. The successful candidate will receive a base salary within this range + benefits

ETS believes in a Total Rewards philosophy for our employees, and they include:

  • Health, Vision, Dental insurance plans to choose from

  • Generous continuous learning support, from individual learning grants to up to 6 classes a year for tuition reimbursement as well as on-line learning access!

  • Generous PTO and vacation time to balance your work and life

  • Additional 8 hours of PTO for volunteer work

  • Retirement plan (401(a)) and traditional Roth (403b) with company contribution

  • Commuter Benefits, Pet Insurance, 1 year subscription to Calm App

ETS is mission driven and action oriented

  • Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging is at the forefront of the ETS employee's daily work. To further foster an inclusive environment ETS is home to a wide variety of Affinity groups that celebrate the diversity of our talented employees.

  • How about cultivating growth, innovation, and continuous transformation for the next generation of rising professionals as leaders? ETS offers multiple Business Resource Groups (BRG) for you!

  • Are you passionate about volunteering and being active in your career and community? ETS offers our Center for Advocacy & Philanthropy (CAAP) where we encourage ETS employees to become active volunteers in their communities and schools through the ETS Cares Giving Campaign. Our employees can support any 501c3 or eligible charity of their choice.

ETS is an Equal Opportunity Employer comprised of people with different experiences, strengths, and backgrounds who share a passion for advancing quality and equity in education. We are dedicated to building teams that reflect the various backgrounds, experiences, and identities of those we serve. The Talent Acquisition team strives to ensure candidates enjoy a fair and equitable hiring process. We believe our differences empower us to be a better team, making better decisions and delivering better results.