Team Manager, Program Manager
Pearson · United Kingdom
Job Title: Team Manager, Program Manager (12 month FTC)
Career Architecture Role: Program Manager
Career Architecture Tier: M35 – Team Manager
Role: Senior Business Change Manager & Practice Lead
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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 an accomplished Senior Business Change & Practice Lead to take ownership of the Transformation Change Plan within our Pearson Qualifications Transformation Programme. Reporting to the Director of Pearson Qualifications Transformation Office, you’ll lead a team of Business Change Leads and Analysts, foster a thriving community of change practice, and ensure best-in-class change management. Your leadership will be pivotal in aligning cross-functional teams, building capability, and delivering outcomes that make a real difference for learners, educators, and Pearson’s business. This is a fixed-term contract for 12 months.
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.
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead and oversee the delivery of the integrated Pearson Qualifications Transformation Change Plan, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives and timely achievement of milestones.
- Establish and nurture a community of Business Change expertise and best practice, driving continuous improvement and knowledge sharing across the function.
- Provide line management for Business Change Leads and Business Change Analysts, supporting their professional growth and performance.
- Operate with matrix management responsibilities, collaborating closely with the Pearson Qualifications Senior Programme Director and other senior stakeholders.
- Report directly to the Director of Transformation Office, with a dotted line to the Pearson Qualifications Senior Programme Director, ensuring clear communication and alignment.
- Champion the adoption of change management frameworks, tools, and methodologies to deliver consistent, high-quality outcomes.
- Identify and address risks, issues, and dependencies that could impact change delivery, proactively removing barriers to success.
Required Skills and Competencies:
- Advanced proficiency in program and change management, with a strong track record of delivering complex, cross-functional initiatives.
- Effective governance and risk management skills, ensuring compliance and delivery assurance.
- Strong analytical and business acumen, able to generate insights and drive operational decisions.
- Exceptional communication and influencing skills, building consensus and motivating diverse stakeholders.
- Change leadership, inspiring teams through transformation and navigating ambiguity with confidence.
- Adaptability and resilience, thriving in dynamic, fast-paced environments.
- Stakeholder engagement and management, aligning cross-functional contributors to shared goals.
- Data literacy, leveraging information to inform strategy and reporting.
- Commitment to Pearson’s Essential Behaviours: Customer Centricity, Exceptional Collaboration for Value, Raising the Performance Bar, and Our Leaders Inspire.
Power Skills (Level of Expertise: Effective – Level 4):
- Adaptability: Respond productively to change, staying flexible and focused.
- Analytical Skills: Deconstruct information to generate insights and make decisions.
- Business Acumen: Understand and act on business opportunities and risks.
- Change Leadership: Inspire and guide teams through transformation.
- Communication Skills: Express ideas clearly and listen actively.
- Influencing Skills: Build consensus and motivate cross-functional stakeholders.
- Learning to Learn: Continuously develop new skills and approaches.
- Project Management Leadership: Direct and motivate teams to achieve program goals.
- Stakeholder Engagement & Management: Align and collaborate with key stakeholders.
- Governance: Ensure effective oversight and compliance across programs.
Behavioural Expectations:
- Demonstrate Customer Centricity by connecting team outputs to customer value.
- Raise the Performance Bar by setting high standards and fostering accountability.
- Drive Exceptional Collaboration for Value by aligning teams and stakeholders to deliver shared goals.
- Inspire as a Leader by motivating, developing, and supporting your team’s growth and performance.
Qualifications (Education & Experience):
- Typically requires 7+ years of progressive experience in program or project management, including experience leading cross-functional teams and managing direct reports.
- Proven experience operating through matrix management and influencing at multiple organizational levels.
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience; advanced degree or relevant certifications (e.g., PMP, Agile) preferred.
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