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Cornerstone is seeking an experienced Instructional Designer to own end-to-end development of certification exams for Implementation and Integration Consultants. This role combines assessment expertise with hands-on platform knowledge to build valid, secure, and current credentials that certify consultant readiness on the Cornerstone Workforce AI platform.
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead job task analyses (JTAs) with subject matter experts to define knowledge, skills, and abilities for each credential
- Design and develop multiple-choice, scenario-based, and performance-based assessment items aligned to JTA blueprints
- Build and maintain item banks with sufficient depth for secure exam delivery and item rotation
- Set and document defensible cut scores using established methodologies (e.g., Modified Angoff) and produce validity and reliability evidence
- Conduct item analysis after each exam administration; retire or revise underperforming items
- Design performance-based and scenario assessments that simulate real consultant tasks on the Cornerstone platform
- Apply knowledge of Cornerstone's Single Architecture and core product modules to ensure item accuracy and currency
- Manage assigned certification development tasks and deliverables within established timelines
- Maintain accurate program documentation including task inventories, item records, and update logs
- Review examination items and credential content for clarity, accuracy, and blueprint alignment before deployment
- Provide content direction and blueprint guidance to the Certification Program Coordinator for candidate-facing materials
- Partner with team members to align development activities with program strategy, stakeholder expectations, and delivery timelines
- Identify, test, and implement AI-enabled automation for routine operational work; measure and retire unnecessary manual processes
- Use AI to assist with item drafting, blueprint alignment checking, and documentation preparation, with expert human review of every item
Success Metrics:
- 100% of exams and certifications updated within 3 weeks of each major Cornerstone release
- 100% of exam items reviewed for clarity, accuracy, and blueprint alignment before deployment, with fewer than 2% needing correction post-release
- 100% of assigned development tasks delivered by committed dates each quarter
- Baseline hours spent on item drafting and documentation reduced by 30% within 12 months (measured from first 90 days), with human review maintained for every item
- Every active exam has documented validity and reliability evidence on file, reviewed within 3 weeks of each major product release
- Cut scores set using documented, defensible methodology and reviewed at least annually
- Item bank depth meets minimum threshold for secure delivery with no exam requiring repeat items within a single candidate's testing window
- Performance-based or scenario items represent at least 30% of each Consultant exam blueprint by June 2027
Required Experience:
- Experience in instructional design with a focus on assessment or certification programs
- Familiarity with exam item development, item banking, and blueprint alignment
- Understanding of certification best practices and assessment lifecycle management
- Strong organizational skills with ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines
- Attention to detail in reviewing and editing content for accuracy and quality
- Ability to collaborate effectively within a team and across functions
- Ability to evaluate AI outputs and apply sound judgment about when human decision-making is required
- Experience conducting formal job task analyses and translating outcomes into exam blueprints
- Demonstrated experience with cut-score methodologies (e.g., Modified Angoff) and ability to document validity and reliability evidence
- Experience with performance-based and scenario-based assessment design, not limited to multiple-choice formats
- Familiarity with Cornerstone's platform or comparable enterprise SaaS talent/learning management systems; able to assess whether item content accurately reflects platform behavior
- Understanding of exam security practices including item bank depth requirements, exposure analysis, and proctoring controls
Preferred Experience:
- Experience designing or improving AI-enabled workflows
- Experience with AI-assisted item authoring tools and established review workflows for AI-generated content
- Familiarity with Cornerstone Single Architecture and the Implementation and Integration Consultant role or equivalent technical consulting certification programs
- Daily use of AI tools in own work with demonstrated examples of how AI changed the work, not just speed
- Critical evaluation of AI output for accuracy, bias, privacy, and data handling
- Active exploration of internal and external AI tools with recommendations to team
- Continuous learning through communities, certifications, and hands-on experimentation
- Experience using AI-assisted item generation tools to accelerate first-draft development with structured SME review
- Understanding of risks of AI-enabled cheating and item exposure; application of exam security protocols
