Content Developer, Secondary ELT

At Pearson, we're committed to a world that's always learning and to our talented team who makes it all possible. From bringing lectures vividly to life to turning textbooks into laptop lessons, we are always re-examining the way people learn best, whether it's one child in our own backyard or an education community across the globe. We are bold thinkers and standout innovators who motivate each other to explore new frontiers in an environment that supports and inspires us to always be better.By pushing the boundaries of technology - and each other to surpass these boundaries - we create seeds of learning that become the catalyst for the world's innovations, personal and global, large and small.

Pearson English

Pearson English is the world's largest provider of English language learning, covering everything from basics for beginners to boardroom-level business English. More than 1.5 million teachers and 35 million students use our English language learning resources and tools each year. Through engagement and encouragement we're transforming the process of learning English from a frustrating experience to one of life's highlights, breaking language barriers around the world.

In 2014 Pearson English released the Global Scale of English, the world's first common, global benchmark of English language learning. It measures English language progress on a numeric scale in a way that is consistent, granular and actionable for governments, corporates, academics, institutions and learners.The Scale has been created as an Open Standard for English that meets a global need.

Position Overview:

The Content Developer leads and manages the content development for a component of a product. Working in-house as part of a project team, the Content Developer:

• Executes plans for the writing, editing, and production of content throughout its development
• Collaborates as necessary with other team members on the instructional design and development of prototypes and briefs
• Implements new workflows and tools for the continuous improvement of content creation
• Provides appropriate support and training for team members, writers and editors

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

Conceptualisation

• Support the Content Development Manager and Portfolio Manager in the generation of ideas for concept development and prototype creation
• Support the Content Development Manager in the instructional design plan for the full product or service
• Enhance plans and briefs with appropriate detail and instruction in advance of vendor contracting
• When necessary, brief external experts, consultants and/or Series Editors on the product or service

Business Case Stage:

• Develop or contract development of Proof of Concept content, prototypes, and iterations of these at request of Content Development Manager or Portfolio Manager
• Support Content Development Manager in forecasting budgets and schedules

Product Development Stage:

• Review and understand the approved instructional design, syllabus, course configuration, content map, budget, and schedule from the Portfolio Manager and Senior Content Producer
• Support Content Development Manager in development of comprehensive writing briefs and other project documents; keep documents up to date and communicate changes to writers and editors
• Contract and brief writers, editors, and/or editorial vendors for assigned components using standard vendor agreements; supply them with comprehensive writing briefs, content templates, and templates for art and media briefs
• Provide continuous and consistent support to writers, editors, and/or editorial vendors throughout the writing and content development process; assist them in the use of content creation tools (standard and proprietary) and content management tools
• Review quality of all contracted work; provide feedback to writers, editors, and/or editorial vendors on any recurring issues related to content creation; when necessary under deadline, bring quality of content up to standard through development and revision
• Collaborate closely with in-house designers, art and text researchers, rights managers, and media producers before and during all phases of content production
• Respond to Portfolio Manager queries about budgets and schedule during all phases of content creation
• Stay up to date with trends in second language acquisition pedagogy and assessment; stay up to date in ELT market needs and trends; stay up to date with English language learning market needs and trends

Supervisory responsibilities:

Supervise freelancers and vendors through continuous monitoring of quality and deadlines; Give frequent and comprehensive feedback

Key relationships:

Portfolio Manager, Content Development Manager, Senior Content Producer, Content Developers, Editorial Vendors

Qualifications

Qualifications:

• University/College degree in linguistics, foreign language, or related field,
• Qualification in teaching English as a second/foreign language (Cert or Diploma in TEFL or TESOL) strongly desired

Skills/Knowledge:

• Sound business and technical acumen, with the ability to navigate a complex and highly matrixed organization effectively, establishing effective communication lines to multiple stakeholders
• Ability to juggle multiple priorities and deadlines, remaining pragmatic and results-focused
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and interpersonal skills

Prior Experience:

• Publishing/Editorial and teaching experience in English as a second or foreign language or in foreign languages
• Experience in managing freelance writers and editors