Director, Business Support and Program Management Office
Director, Business Support and Program Management Office

Director, Business Support and Program Management Office

London Full-Time 72000 - 108000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead strategic initiatives and manage a team of Program Managers to ensure project success.
  • Company: Join a dynamic team focused on content strategy and digital delivery in higher education.
  • Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, professional development opportunities, and a collaborative work environment.
  • Why this job: Be a key player in driving digital transformation and enhancing organisational effectiveness.
  • Qualifications: 10+ years in program management; Bachelor's degree required, PMP certification preferred.
  • Other info: This role offers a chance to influence senior leadership and shape the future of content delivery.

The predicted salary is between 72000 - 108000 £ per year.

Job title: Director, Business Support and Portfolio Management Office

Role Overview:

The Director of Business Support and Portfolio Management Office (PMO) is a critical leadership role within the Content Strategy & Digital Delivery team, that will combine leadership of the Business Support and PMO function with a strategic coordination & operational role supporting the Vice President of Content Strategy & Digital Delivery.

In your strategic & operational co-ordination capacity, you will act as a strategic partner to the VP, ensuring focus on the highest priorities, driving operational excellence, and improving organizational effectiveness. You will help orchestrate leadership routines, prepare key communications, drive alignment across the leadership team, and proactively manage follow-through on decisions and strategic initiatives.

In your PMO capacity, you will lead a team of Program Managers responsible for portfolio planning, prioritization, and program-level delivery tracking. You will ensure portfolio health, governance, and capacity management while providing a single source of truth across Content Delivery Pods, Centers of Excellence, and other functions. This role is pivotal in ensuring that content development supports broader business and digital transformation goals.

You will be responsible for guiding your team through complex project lifecycles from concept to release, focusing on quality, efficiency, innovation, and customer experience; while ensuring all programs are delivered on time, within scope, and with outcomes that meet business needs.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic & Operational Support Responsibilities:

  • Operate as a trusted advisor and strategic partner to the VP, ensuring their time, focus, and priorities align with the most critical business needs.
  • Drive leadership team routines, including agenda-setting, meeting facilitation, action tracking, and follow-up.
  • Coordinate cross-functional alignment of strategic priorities, operating rhythms, and key business processes.
  • Lead the preparation of executive communications, presentations, reports, and operational reviews for senior leadership, including quarterly business reviews and transformation updates.
  • Manage the leadership team\’s operating cadence, fostering accountability and transparency across the organization.
  • Anticipate risks, challenges, and bottlenecks in both operational and strategic initiatives, and proactively resolve or escalate them.
  • Support change management activities, ensuring messaging, buy-in, and execution are consistent across the Content Strategy & Digital Delivery team.

Program Management Office Leadership:

  • Define the overall vision and strategy for program management, ensuring initiatives align with business goals and drive long-term value.
  • Lead, mentor, and develop a team of Program Managers, fostering a high-performance culture grounded in collaboration, accountability, and innovation.
  • Oversee the portfolio of content development projects, ensuring they are delivered on time, within budget, and to quality standards, while supporting digital-first delivery.
  • Maintain visibility into program health (RAG status, risks, dependencies, milestones) and proactively manage escalations.
  • Act as a key liaison between Program Management, Content Operations, Portfolio Management, Product, and Senior Leadership, ensuring alignment, transparency, and issue resolution.
  • Continuously improve program management processes, tools, and reporting to drive efficiency, predictability, and delivery excellence.
  • Partner with Operations to introduce and refine workflows, governance models, and standards needed to support digital transformation and operational efficiency.
  • Manage budgets, resource allocation, and capacity planning, ensuring sustainable utilization of people and financial resources.

Business Support Operations:

  • Oversee key operational functions, including management of content operations processes, purchase orders, contracts, ISBNs, productivity tools, and internal systems.
  • Ensure operational excellence through effective processes that enable the content development team to deliver at scale and speed.

Experience, Skills and Knowledge:

  • Bachelor\’s degree in Business, Project Management, or a related field; PMP certification or advanced degree preferred.
  • 10+ years of experience in program management, operations, or Chief of Staff roles, ideally within digital product or content delivery environments.
  • Demonstrated ability to operate as a thought partner to senior executives and lead through influence.
  • Proven experience managing and scaling program management functions in complex, matrixed organizations.
  • Exceptional organizational, problem-solving, and communication skills, with the ability to distill complex information for executive audiences.

1167406

Job: Program Management

Job Family: ENTERPRISE

Organization: Higher Education

Schedule: FULL\\_TIME

Req ID: 20375

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Director, Business Support and Program Management Office employer: Pearson

As a leading employer in the Higher Education sector, we pride ourselves on fostering a dynamic and inclusive work culture that prioritises employee growth and development. Our commitment to operational excellence and strategic innovation provides our team members with unique opportunities to lead impactful projects while collaborating with senior leadership. Located in a vibrant academic environment, we offer competitive benefits and a supportive atmosphere that encourages creativity and professional advancement.
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Contact Detail:

Pearson Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Director, Business Support and Program Management Office

✨Tip Number 1

Familiarise yourself with the latest trends in digital content delivery and program management. Understanding the current landscape will help you speak confidently about how your experience aligns with our goals at StudySmarter.

✨Tip Number 2

Network with professionals in the field of program management and digital strategy. Engaging with others can provide insights into the role and may even lead to referrals, increasing your chances of landing an interview with us.

✨Tip Number 3

Prepare to discuss specific examples of how you've driven operational excellence and managed complex projects in your previous roles. We value candidates who can demonstrate their impact through tangible results.

✨Tip Number 4

Showcase your leadership style and how you foster collaboration within teams. At StudySmarter, we look for individuals who can inspire and guide others, so be ready to share your approach to team development and performance.

We think you need these skills to ace Director, Business Support and Program Management Office

Strategic Planning
Leadership Skills
Program Management
Operational Excellence
Cross-Functional Coordination
Risk Management
Change Management
Communication Skills
Budget Management
Resource Allocation
Stakeholder Engagement
Analytical Skills
Problem-Solving Skills
Team Development
Process Improvement

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in program management and operations. Focus on leadership roles and specific achievements that align with the responsibilities of the Director position.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, emphasise your strategic partnership skills and ability to drive operational excellence. Use specific examples from your past experiences that demonstrate your capability to manage complex projects and lead teams.

Highlight Relevant Skills: Clearly outline your skills in communication, problem-solving, and organisational abilities. Mention any experience with digital transformation initiatives or managing cross-functional teams, as these are crucial for the role.

Showcase Leadership Experience: Detail your experience in mentoring and developing teams. Provide examples of how you have fostered a high-performance culture and driven alignment across different functions within an organisation.

How to prepare for a job interview at Pearson

✨Understand the Role Inside Out

Make sure you thoroughly understand the responsibilities of the Director of Business Support and PMO. Familiarise yourself with the key tasks such as strategic coordination, operational excellence, and team leadership. This will help you articulate how your experience aligns with their needs.

✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions

Expect to be asked about specific scenarios related to program management and operational challenges. Prepare examples from your past experiences where you've successfully navigated similar situations, demonstrating your problem-solving skills and strategic thinking.

✨Showcase Your Leadership Style

As a leadership role, it's crucial to convey your leadership style and how you foster a high-performance culture. Be ready to discuss how you mentor and develop teams, and provide examples of how you've driven alignment and accountability in previous roles.

✨Communicate Clearly and Confidently

Given the need for effective communication with senior leadership, practice distilling complex information into clear, concise messages. Be prepared to present your thoughts on how to improve program management processes and drive operational efficiency.

Director, Business Support and Program Management Office
Pearson
P
  • Director, Business Support and Program Management Office

    London
    Full-Time
    72000 - 108000 £ / year (est.)

    Application deadline: 2027-07-16

  • P

    Pearson

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