Principal, Program Manager

The Pearson Qualifications Transformation Programme is a multi-year initiative to reshape how we operate, innovate, and deliver value. More than a systems upgrade, it’s about building a future-ready organisation driven by agility, collaboration, and technology. Spanning all disciplines, the programme offers opportunities to influence strategy, lead impactful projects, and deliver meaningful change for customers and colleagues.

This high-profile, executive-sponsored programme brings together diverse talent to tackle complex challenges and set new standards of excellence. Whether your expertise is in technology, operations, finance, or change management, you’ll play a key role in shaping the future. The programme is organised across portfolios including Customer, Learner, Associate, Assessment Services, and Operations, and offers exceptional career development opportunities through exposure to senior leadership, cross-functional collaboration, and innovative projects.

Role overview:

We are now seeking a number of accomplished Princpal, Program Manager to take ownership of a portfolio with in our Pearson Qualifications Transformation Programme. This is a pivotal role for an experienced leader with a proven track record in delivering complex, large-scale transformation initiatives. You will play a key part in driving the next stage of our journey, ensuring successful delivery across multiple workstreams. Portfolios include: Customer, Learner, Assessment Service and Product & Content

Job Summary:

Lead and deliver a portfolio of key transformation projects that drive strategic change across the enterprise. Reporting to the Senior Program Director, you’ll translate business objectives into actionable program plans, ensuring operational excellence and measurable impact. You’ll thrive in a matrix environment, orchestrating cross-functional teams and leveraging commercial insight to deliver outcomes that matter for Pearson’s future.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the planning, execution, and delivery of complex transformation programs, ensuring alignment with business unit and enterprise goals.
• Translate strategic direction into clear, actionable program plans and operational roadmaps.
• Coordinate, motivate, and influence cross-functional teams in a matrix environment, building strong partnerships to deliver shared outcomes.
• Apply commercial acumen to assess business opportunities, optimize resource allocation, and drive sustainable value for Pearson.
• Identify and manage program risks, dependencies, and constraints, proactively resolving issues to keep initiatives on track.
• Establish and maintain robust governance and reporting frameworks for transparency and informed decision-making.
• Provide regular, data-driven updates to senior stakeholders, including the Senior Program Director and Transformation Office.
• Foster a high-performing, inclusive culture by role-modelling Pearson’s Essential Behaviors and supporting the growth of program talent.

Required Skills and Competencies:

• Advanced proficiency in leading large-scale, cross-functional transformation programs within complex, matrixed environments.
• Strong commercial acumen and analytical skills, with the ability to generate insights and drive strategic decisions.
• Exceptional communication, influencing, and stakeholder engagement skills, building trust and alignment across diverse teams and senior leaders.
• Expertise in change leadership, governance, and project management leadership, ensuring delivery excellence and risk mitigation.
• High adaptability and resilience, thriving in dynamic, fast-paced settings and navigating ambiguity with confidence.
• Commitment to Pearson’s Essential Behaviors: Customer Centricity, Exceptional Collaboration for Value, Raising the Performance Bar, and Our Leaders Inspire.

Power Skills:

• Adaptability
• Analytical Skills
• Business Acumen
• Change Leadership
• Communication Skills
• Influencing Skills
• Learning to Learn
• Project Management Leadership
• Stakeholder Engagement & Management
• Governance

Behavioral Expectations:

• Live Our Purpose by ensuring every transformation initiative is purpose-led and creates long-term value for stakeholders.
• Carry Our Culture by role-modelling leadership behaviors, fostering trust, inclusion, and high performance.
• Simplify the Complexity by designing scalable frameworks that accelerate delivery and enable cross-functional collaboration.
• Deliver Results by driving transformation through strategic execution, ensuring complex initiatives are delivered with clarity, confidence, and measurable success.

Qualifications (Education & Experience):

• Typically requires extensive experience in program or project management, including significant experience leading large-scale, cross-functional transformation initiatives and managing matrixed teams.
• Proven track record of operating at a senior leadership level, influencing across multiple organisational layers, and delivering enterprise-wide change.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience required; advanced degree or relevant certifications (e.g., PMP, Agile) strongly preferred.