Advanced Specialist, Program Management in London

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.

As an Advanced Specialist, Program Management (Senior Agile Business Analyst) you will play a critical role in driving key transformation projects across Pearson Qualifications. Reporting to the Senior Business Change and Practice Lead, you will work within a matrix management structure, collaborating with cross-functional teams to deliver business value. You will be responsible for eliciting and analyzing requirements, facilitating agile ceremonies, and ensuring solutions meet stakeholder needs. Additionally, you will mentor junior Business Analysts, fostering their growth and supporting best practices in business analysis.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead requirements gathering, analysis, and documentation for transformation projects, ensuring alignment with business objectives and agile principles.
• Collaborate with stakeholders and delivery teams in a matrix management environment to define, prioritize, and deliver solutions.
• Facilitate agile ceremonies (e.g., sprint planning, backlog refinement, reviews) and support the adoption of agile practices across project teams.
• Mentor and coach junior Business Analysts, providing guidance, feedback, and support for their professional development.
• Analyze business processes, identify opportunities for improvement, and contribute to the design of scalable solutions.
• Ensure clear and effective communication of requirements, progress, and outcomes to stakeholders and leadership.
• Champion continuous improvement and knowledge sharing within the business analysis community.

Required Skills and Competencies

• Advanced proficiency in business analysis techniques, agile methodologies, and requirements management.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, able to translate complex business needs into actionable requirements.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills, building consensus and motivating cross-functional teams.
• High adaptability and resilience, thriving in dynamic, fast-paced settings.
• Stakeholder engagement and management, aligning contributors to shared goals.
• Data literacy, leveraging information to inform decisions and reporting.
• Commitment to Pearson's Essential Behaviors: Customer Centricity, Exceptional Collaboration for Value, Raising the Performance Bar, and Our Leaders Inspire.

Power Skills (Level of Expertise: Proficient - Level 3/4)

• Adaptability (Proficient)
• Analytical Skills (Proficient)
• Business Acumen (Proficient)
• Change Leadership (Proficient)
• Communication Skills (Proficient)
• Influencing Skills (Proficient)
• Learning to Learn (Proficient)
• Agile Delivery (Proficient)
• Stakeholder Engagement & Management (Proficient)
• Governance (Proficient)

Behavioral Expectations

• Demonstrate Customer Centricity by connecting analysis outcomes to stakeholder 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 mentoring junior analysts and supporting team development.

Qualifications (Education & Experience)

• Typically requires 5+ years of progressive experience in business analysis, including experience working in agile and matrix management environments and delivering transformation projects.
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience; relevant certifications (e.g., CBAP, Agile BA, Scrum) preferred.

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.

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.

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