Job Information
Educational Testing Service Senior Product Operations Associate in Sacramento, California
About ETS:
ETS is a global education and talent solutions organization enabling lifelong learners worldwide to be future-ready. For more than 75 years, we've been advancing the science of measurement to build benchmarks for fair and valid skill assessment across cultures and borders. Our worldwide impact extends through our renowned assessments including TOEFL®, TOEIC®, GRE® and Praxis® tests, serving millions of learners in more than 200 countries and territories. Through strategic acquisitions, we've expanded our global capabilities: PSI strengthens our workforce assessment solutions, while Edusoft, Kira Talent, Pipplet, Vericant, and Wheebox enhance our educational technology and assessment platforms across critical markets worldwide.
Through ETS Research Institute and ETS Solutions, we're partnering with educational institutions, governments, and organizations globally to promote skill proficiency, empower upward mobility, and unlock opportunities for everyone, everywhere. With offices and partners across Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Americas, we deliver nearly 50 million tests annually. Join us in our journey of measuring progress to power human progress worldwide.
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.