Executive Director – AP Social Science Department Head, Curriculum & Assessment

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in United States.

📋 Description

• Take responsibility for the validity, quality, disciplinary alignment, and accuracy of AP Social Science courses and examinations.

• Lead the Social Science department, overseeing a team of 19 across 7 course teams.

• Make final determinations regarding assessment content, exam design, scoring, and assessment characteristics.

• Create and implement strategies for the growth and maintenance of courses and exams while increasing zero-to-one AP qualifying scores.

• Participate in the AP Curriculum and Assessment Leadership team.

• Provide guidance to the VP and SVP on course-related initiatives, delivering decision-ready recommendations.

• Head a cross-C&A enterprise workstream, ensuring the delivery of its defined outcomes.

• Supervise the development of approximately 6 to 7 test forms annually for each of the 7 Social Science exams.

• Approve the authoring of assessments, revisions, forms, curricula alignment, and exam specifications.

• Oversee the iterative assessment review process alongside course teams, production teams, Test Development Committees, and Chief Readers.

• Manage scoring outcomes and the production of AP Reading assets.

• Enhance assessment production practices focusing on efficiency, quality, and reliability.

• Transfer assessment research and best practices to the department.

• Ensure that team members possess the necessary skills, tools, and knowledge for developing assessment content.

• Refine question task models and exam design.

• Monitor and improve exam validity, reliability, fairness, and quality.

• Establish team vision and priorities, track progress, mentor team members, and foster an inclusive high-achieving culture.

• Guide the development of course frameworks, exams, and instructional resources.

• Provide training and support to team members regarding assessment development practices and item authoring platforms.

• Set development schedules and monitor deliverables in collaboration with assessment production managers.

• Mentor team members involved in test development committees and engage with external stakeholders.

• Take ownership of course frameworks and approve learning outcomes.

• Collaborate with teams focused on professional learning, program enablement, access, instructional services, and higher education.

• Lead public-facing initiatives, strategic growth projects, AP Reading recruitment, AP Faculty Colloquia, and Visiting and Virtual Fellows Programs.

⛳️ Requirements

• A Master’s degree in a directly related field is required.

• A Doctorate in the discipline is strongly preferred.

• Familiarity with current trends in the discipline is essential.

• 15 to 20 years of experience in standardized assessment development or a related field is required.

• Experience with digital assessment and teaching is preferred.

• At least 10 years of team leadership experience.

• Expertise in standardized assessment is crucial.

• Experience in presenting recommendations to senior executives and influencing enterprise-level decisions.

• Exceptional oral and written communication skills are necessary.

• Strong technical proficiency and a customer-focused approach are expected.

• Excellent organizational and planning abilities, with a focus on meticulous attention to detail and proofreading.

• Capability to implement processes and procedures, manage project plans and schedules, and maintain tracking documentation.

• Superior interpersonal and collaboration skills are required.

• Willingness to travel 8–10 times per year, plus up to two additional weeks for the AP Reading.

• Passion for expanding educational and career opportunities in mission-driven work.

• Curiosity and enthusiasm for emerging technologies, along with a willingness to adopt AI-driven solutions.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

• A learner’s mindset and commitment to personal and professional growth.

• A drive for impact and excellence, including data-informed decision-making.

• A collaborative and empathetic approach.

• Authorization to work in the United States.

🏝️ Benefits

• Option for full remote work or a hybrid model for candidates residing near College Board offices (Tuesday and Wednesday in-office).

• Occasional travel for in-person business meetings.

• Comprehensive compensation and benefits package.

• Supportive team environment and meaningful career opportunities.

• Compensation adjusted based on location.

• Transparent discussions regarding compensation and benefits.