Lead Specialist, Program Manager

Role Purpose:

• This role is accountable for the successful delivery of complex programmes & multiple interdependent projects aligned to global business priorities.
• The role operates with defined objectives & governance, exercising professional judgement, structured problem solving & proactive risk management to deliver outcomes in a fast‑paced, global environment.
• The Program Manager works as part of a global, multi‑location team, engaging a wide range of stakeholders to coordinate delivery, manage dependencies & maintain transparency on progress, risks, outcomes.

Key Accountabilities:

• Deliver one or more medium‑to‑large scale programs , consisting of multiple projects or workstreams.
• Manage program plans, milestones, dependencies, risks & issues using Smartsheet.
• Balance & prioritize multiple concurrent initiatives, meeting deadlines in a pressured & changing environment.
• Apply structured problem‑solving to resolve delivery issues , proposing practical options & recommendations.
• Operate within established governance frameworks while exercising judgement on delivery decisions.
• Coordinate stakeholders across functions & geographies, contributing to a global delivery model.
• Provide clear, accurate & decision‑focused status reporting & insights to senior stakeholders.
• Identify delivery risks early & actively manage mitigation actions & escalation paths.
• Support program governance forums with high‑quality materials & analysis.
• Adhere to global program management standards & contribute to continuous improvement.

Skills & Capabilities:

• Proven program & project management expertise.
• Strong problem‑solving, analytical & critical‑thinking skills.
• Ability to manage complexity, ambiguity & competing priorities.
• Demonstrated capability to deliver under pressure & tight timelines.
• Confident stakeholder engagement across cultures & time zones.
• High attention to detail with strong focus on outcomes & value.
• Hands‑on experience using Smartsheet or other project planning tools for planning, tracking & reporting.

Knowledge, Experience & Qualifications:

Essential:

• Minimum 5 years experience in program or senior project management.
• Experience managing multiple projects simultaneously.
• Practical experience working in global or distributed teams.
• Hands‑on experience using Smartsheet in a delivery environment.
• Experience in large, matrixed or transformation‑led organizations.

Desirable:

• Program or Project management certifications (e.g. MSP, PRINCE2, PMP, PgMP, Agile).
• Hands‑on experience using Smartsheet in a delivery.
• Experience using Jira and/or similar agile delivery tools for tracking work.

Who we are:

At Pearson, our purpose is simple: to help people realize the life they imagine through learning. We believe that every learning opportunity is a chance for a personal breakthrough. We are the world's lifelong learning company. For us, learning isn't just what we do. It's who we are. To learn more: We are Pearson.

Pearson is an Equal Opportunity Employer and a member of E-Verify. Employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit and business need. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status or any other group protected by law. We actively seek qualified candidates who are protected veterans and individuals with disabilities as defined under VEVRAA and Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act.

If you are an individual with a disability and are unable or limited in your ability to use or access our career site as a result of your disability, you may request reasonable accommodations by emailing [Confidential Information].

Job: Program Management

Job Family: ENTERPRISE

Organization: Chief Business Office

Schedule: FULL_TIME

Workplace Type: Remote

Req ID: 24428