Summary

The Specialist, Assessment Development supports content development across the exam lifecycle by providing broad assessment (certification, certificate, skills-based, etc.) development expertise in conjunction with SME-developed or generative AI (GAI) tools to ensure the availability of quality test items in alignment with the SHRM Body of Applied Skills and Knowledge (SHRM BASK) or other competency frameworks. In alignment with accreditation standards, the Specialist also oversees the organization, technical documentation, and maintenance of the exam item bank and associated metadata, managing the import and exporting of item lists across development and testing cycles from the SHRM item bank; and supports exam administration by managing candidate score reports and ensuring alignment with established reporting processes and quality standards. In addition, s/he will support item creation and form assembly for the SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, and other SHRM assessment related products, and contribute to the team's annual item-development goals utilizing sound measurement, research, or other related assessment subject matter expertise. This role will perform research and apply other measurement practices toward the development of new assessments, including technical reporting and documentation. The role partners with the broader certification team, global SMEs, and external vendor partners.

Responsibilities

• Maintain item bank database, including updating and tracking item statuses based on SME reviews, psychometric data, and item performance.
• Support ongoing practice analysis and standard setting activities, analyze results, provide technical documentation; or support in the development and validation of new credentials or assessments.
• Partner with Certification team and external vendors ensuring strict deadlines are met, content handoffs are high quality, manages the SHRM item bank with a high attention to detail.
• Manage the full lifecycle of the exam item bank—creating, maintaining, and tracking item lists, metadata, and performance data across development, review, and testing cycles.
• Apply content development expertise, including the use of GAI tools to create, edit, and enhance exam content, supporting quality, efficiency, and innovation in item development.
• Create product information sheets and other technical report documents for internal and external stakeholders applying research methodologies and other validation standards to develop new or update existing SHRM assessment products.
• Prepare and submit exam research reports, validation studies, and supporting documentation for exam accreditation review.
• Apply psychometric and performance data to inform item-level decisions, address content gaps, and guide post-analysis refinements.
• Manage candidate score report upload and distribution, maintaining data integrity and confidentiality protocols
• Partner with SHRM Education, SHRM Research, Membership/Executive Network, and Student Communities teams on research and product development initiatives.
• Perform other duties and make internal or external presentations as needed to support exam development initiatives.

Education & Experience Requirements

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Industrial-Organizational Psychology, Behavioral Science, Data Science, Educational Measurement, or related field or a minimum of 3 years of directly related exam development or assessment experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience is required.
• A Master's Degree in Industrial-Organizational Psychology, Behavioral Science, Data Science, Educational Measurement, or related field is preferred
• Experience in a high-stakes global testing program/environment is strongly preferred

Experience:

• Minimum of three (3) years of relevant experience, including exposure to HR generalist responsibilities.
• Experience working with or supporting large-scale testing programs or in-test and item-development (including volunteer SME work) preferred and/or willingness to learn if other requirements are met.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Strong knowledge of certification and licensure testing programs, including exam validation requirements, test development processes, and accreditation standards.
• Strong project management and organizational skills, including the ability to balance multiple priorities, manage timelines, and ensure high-quality deliverables.
• Ability to incorporate GAI tools into task workflows to improve efficiency, accuracy, and problem-solving.
• Demonstrated ability to manage the full assessment-research lifecycle, from study design and data collection through analysis, reporting, and implementation.
• Proficiency with data analysis tools including Excel, SPSS, R, and Python, with the ability to clean, analyze, and interpret large datasets to support certification and assessment research.
• Strong writing skills for preparing technical reports, documentation, and stakeholder communications related to exam performance, research findings, and validation studies.
• Applied experience with psychometric methods such as Classical Test Theory (CTT), Item Response Theory (IRT), differential item functioning (DIF), item analysis, and reliability/validity evaluation.
• Ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams, vendors, and external partners, and to contribute to enterprise-level assessment initiatives.

Certifications

• SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP desired but not required.
• ICE-CCP desired but not required.

Physical Requirements

This position operates in a typical office environment and requires the ability to perform essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodation. Physical requirements may include:

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Frequent use of hands and fingers for typing, handling documents, and using office equipment.
• Occasional standing, walking, bending, and reaching.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 30 pounds as needed.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Hybrid Position (3 Days In-Office, 2 Days Remote):

• This position follows a hybrid work schedule, with Tuesday through Thursday in office and Monday and Friday remote. Employees must be available during standard business hours, with core hours beginning between 8:00AM 9:00AM and concluding between 5:00PM 6:00PM.

Travel: 20 30%

#LI

The hiring range for this position is $70,000 to $85,000 per year. This range is an estimate, and the actual salary may vary based on the candidate's experience, skills, and qualifications. SHRM offers a competitive and comprehensive total rewards package. The benefits for this position include professional growth and development, health, dental, vision, well-being, health savings, flexible spending, retirement, open leave, and annual discretionary bonus and incentives.