Associate Director, Value Chain Analyst - AP Reading & Exam Production

Associate Director, Value Chain Analyst - AP Reading & Exam Production College Board - AP Reading & Exam Production Location: This is a remote role. Candidates who live near CB offices have the option of being fully remote or hybrid (Tuesday and Wednesday in office). This role also includes the ability to travel 3-5 times a year to College Board offices or on behalf of College Board business. Travel may range from 1-2 days to multi-week stays during peak operational periods supporting AP Reading activities in late May through June. Type: This is a full-time position. About the Team  The AP Program Planning team is responsible for the successful execution of the annual AP Reading event where millions of student exam responses are scored. The team supports strategic planning, workforce coordination, logistics, vendor alignment, and data-driven decision making to ensure accurate and timely scoring across 40+ AP subjects. This work sits within the broader AP Delivery organization, which manages the AP annual cycle from course setup through exam administration, scoring, and score reporting. Each year, millions of students generate tens of millions of constructed responses that must be scored accurately, on time, and at scale by a distributed Reader workforce operating both onsite and remotely.   About the Opportunity   This role sits at the center of AP Delivery operations, supporting both the annual AP Reading (January through June) and AP Exam Production (July through December). You will operate in a high-volume, fast-paced environment where accuracy, responsiveness, and strong judgment are essential to ensuring millions of student exams are processed and scored correctly and on time. During the AP Reading cycle, you will function as part of a live operational command center, supporting a large-scale, distributed scoring event involving tens of thousands of Readers across onsite and remote environments. You will act as a first responder to real-time issues such as staffing gaps, scoring imbalances, and system challenges, working closely with Session Leads to translate decisions into immediate and accurate action. Success requires the ability to prioritize quickly, manage multiple simultaneous issues, and maintain precision under time pressure. During AP Exam Production, you will support the technical build, validation, and delivery of exams by working across content and technical teams to ensure materials meet strict specifications. This includes managing large datasets, validating components, coordinating handoffs, and maintaining documentation that safeguards exam integrity. The role is dynamic and evolving, requiring adaptability, comfort with ambiguity, and a willingness to step in wherever needed while building broad operational expertise across the AP value chain over time. In this role, you will:  Core Responsibilities – AP Reading (50%) Real-Time Operational Execution During AP Reading (15%) Act as a first responder to operational issues, executing fixes or escalating as appropriate Embed with Chief Readers and subject leadership teams to support Reader selection, invitations, and event planning Execute approved real-time adjustments to support scoring operations, including moving Readers from one question or prompt to another in line with Session Lead direction and scoring priorities Respond quickly to live operational issues such as prompt imbalances, no-shows, access issues, staffing gaps, or session disruptions Support Session Leads in implementing changes with speed and accuracy so operational decisions turn into action without delay Handle high-volume, time-sensitive work during peak windows with strong attention to detail and reliable follow-through Reader Monitoring and Workforce Support (15%) Track Reader participation across onsite and at-home environments, including documenting no-shows, late starts, reassignment needs, and other exceptions Contact Readers who do not appear as expected and maintain accurate records of outreach, disposition, and next steps Assist with onsite personnel issues and other Reader support tasks, escalating when judgment or authority beyond the role is needed Support attendance, scheduling validation, and subject-level workforce tracking so Session Leads have a current view of execution reality Scoring Performance Monitoring and Analytical Support (10%) Monitor subject- and prompt-level scoring data, including throughput, coverage, pacing, and other indicators relevant to live decision making Build and maintain trackers, dashboards, logs, and reports that support Session Lead decision making and documentation Flag anomalies, trend changes, or execution gaps early, while recognizing that analysts support rather than independently decide scoring strategy Help connect operational observations with data patterns so the session has both visibility and practical context Session, Site, and Reader Experience Support (35%) Provide hands-on support for session execution, including logistical troubleshooting, setup help, transition support, and issue routing Help maintain a productive and responsive environment for both onsite and at-home Readers by supporting fast communication and issue tracking Document recurring Reader questions, pain points, or confusion that may inform process or communication improvements Contribute to the overall professionalism and stability of the Reading by filling gaps wherever the session most needs support Documentation and Continuous Improvement (25%) Document operational issues, actions taken, exceptions, and lessons learned during both Exam Production and Reading phases Support post-cycle analysis and retrospective work by keeping reliable records of what happened and where processes broke down Identify opportunities to improve tools, trackers, communication approaches, and execution routines Develop broad operational fluency that can serve as a pipeline into future Session Lead or other AP Delivery roles Core Responsibilities – AP Exam Production (50%) Oversee finalization, certification, and downstream delivery of AP Exams (60%) Work with content and technical teams to certify that each AP Exam form has been developed and will be delivered according to defined processes and specifications    Develop and manage schedules that prioritize according to time-sensitive downstream hand-offs, escalating as needed to ensure deadlines are met while maintaining accuracy    Facilitate final content validation processes for digital AP Exams, as needed    Coordinate hand-off of finalized AP Exams to downstream delivery systems and print vendors, as appropriate      Oversee specifications for AP Exam authoring and key (20%) Ensure accurate and timely set up of templates and data pathways for all AP courses and item types in relevant College Board exam authoring and delivery systems    Support documentation development and management (20%) Collaborate with the broader team to revise and/or maintain certification processes and documentation, including job aides, checklists, and submission reports    Collaborate with the broader AP Assessment Production team to document and iterate on current work management practices and associated documentation, such as Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) documents    About You  Highly adaptable and resourceful, with the ability to thrive across analytical, operational, and stakeholder-facing work Strong client service orientation with the ability to anticipate needs, resolve issues proactively, and deliver high-touch support Strong problem solver who performs accurately and decisively in fast-paced environments Detail-oriented with sound judgment, strong organizational skills, and the ability to prioritize and escalate effectively Exceptional ability to audit, validate, and manage large datasets with accuracy under tight deadlines Skilled at leveraging systems, technology platforms, automation tools, and advanced Microsoft Office applications, including Excel, Word, and Smartsheet, to drive efficiency and operational effectiveness This role also includes the ability to travel 3-5 times a year to College Board offices or on behalf of College Board business. Travel may range from 1-2 days to multi-week stays during peak operational periods supporting AP Reading activities in late May through June. All roles at College Board require: A passion for expanding educational and career opportunities and mission-driven work Authorization to work in the United States for any employer Curiosity and enthusiasm for emerging technologies, with a willingness to experiment with and adopt new AI-driven solutions and comfort learning and applying new digital tools independently and proactively.  A learner's mindset and a commitment to growth: welcoming diverse perspectives, giving and receiving timely, respectful feedback, and continuously improving through iterative learning and user input. A drive for impact and excellence: solving complex problems, making data-informed decisions, prioritizing what matters most, and continuously improving through learning, user input, and external benchmarking. A collaborative and empathetic approach: working across differences, fostering trust, and contributing to a culture of shared success. About Our Process  Application review will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled. This role is expected to accept applications for a minimum of 5 business days. While the hiring process may vary, it generally includes: resume and application submission, recruiter phone/video screen, hiring manager interview, performance exercise such as live coding, a panel interview, a conversation with leadership and reference checks. What We Offer At College Board, we offer more than just a paycheck—we provide a meaningful career, a supportive team, and a comprehensive package designed to help you thrive. We’re a self-sustaining nonprofit that believes in fair and competitive compensation, grounded in your qualifications, experience, impact, and the market. A Thoughtful Approach to Compensation The hiring range for this role is $56,000–$90,000 Your exact salary will depend on your location, experience, and how your background compares to others in similar roles at the College Board We aim to make our best offer upfront, rooted in fairness, transparency, and market data We adjust salaries by location to ensure fairness, no matter where you live You’ll have open, transparent conversations about compensation, benefits, and what it’s like to work at College Board throughout your hiring process. Check out our careers page for more. #li-remote #li-dr1 College Board reaches more than 7 million students a year, helping them navigate the path from high school to college and career. We’re a mission-driven, not-for-profit membership organization dedicated to excellence in education. Founded 125 years ago, we are committed to clearing a path for all students to own their future. We pioneered programs like the SAT® and AP® to expand opportunities for students and help them develop the skills they need. Our BigFuture® program helps students plan for college, pay for college, and explore careers. Learn more at cb.org. Clearing a path for all students to own their future. At College Board, our work is guided by four Operating Principles, and we seek team members who not only align with these principles but actively live them out in their day-to-day work. Prioritize and Simplify – We focus on what matters most, reduce complexity, and move quickly when needed. Say and Receive – We give and receive feedback candidly and kindly, welcoming growth and healthy debate. Go for Greatness – We pursue excellence using data, iteration, and bold thinking to raise the bar. Lead as One College Board – We build a culture of trust, inclusion, and shared responsibility for long-term impact. In addition to a competitive salary and benefits, we offer: Annual bonuses and opportunities for merit-based raises and promotions A mission-driven workplace where your impact matters A team that invests in your development and success Learn more about College Board’s Operating Principles, Our Remote-first Workplace Policy, Benefits, Recruiting Process and More. College Board is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We’re committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity, or Veteran status.