At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead product innovation for International Higher Education, focusing on emerging markets like India and Brazil.
- Company: Join Pearson, a global leader in lifelong learning and education.
- Benefits: Shape the future of learning with access to cutting-edge resources and a supportive environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in education by driving innovative solutions and shaping future business models.
- Qualifications: 10+ years in product management, with a strong understanding of edtech and higher education trends.
- Other info: Collaborative culture that encourages creativity and bold thinking.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
This role aligns to industry level titles such as Senior Product Management Director.
Location: London (Hybrid)
Role Overview:
Pearson is seeking a dynamic and visionary Director of Product to lead the discovery, exploration, innovation and execution of products for the International Higher Education business, with an initial emphasis on India and Brazil. This newly established role is critical to future-proofing our business by identifying, incubating, and accelerating innovative solutions that drive growth in both core and adjacent markets.
What You’ll Own:
- Innovation Strategy & Leadership: Define and execute a product innovation strategy aligned with Pearson's International Higher Education growth priorities, focusing on new market opportunities and future business models. Identify and explore emerging trends (e.g., AI, skills-based learning, digital and hybrid delivery) and assess their potential impact on higher education and workforce development in growth markets globally.
- Product Development & Experimentation: Drive the end-to-end innovation process, from concept development to market validation and commercialization. Ideation, discovery, rapid prototyping, and validation of new product concepts in specific markets around the globe. Lead cross-functional teams to rapidly prototype, test, and iterate new products and services using agile methodologies. Build a robust innovation pipeline, prioritizing projects that have the potential to deliver significant business growth and learner impact.
- Market & Customer Insights: Partner with academic institutions, employers, and learners to uncover unmet needs and future skills demands. Use data-driven insights and customer feedback to shape innovative solutions that address pain points and anticipate future challenges. Monitor competitive landscapes and disruptive technologies to ensure Pearson stays ahead of industry shifts.
- Stakeholder Engagement & Collaboration: Collaborate with business, product, technology, marketing, and sales teams to scale validated innovations and bring them to market. Cultivate strategic partnerships with startups, Big Tech, universities, and industry bodies to accelerate innovation efforts. Engage with executive leadership to advocate for innovation initiatives and secure investment in high-potential opportunities.
About You:
- Proven track record (10+ years) of leading innovation, discovery and new product development, ideally within education, edtech, or digital learning.
- Strong entrepreneurial mindset, with the ability to identify and capitalize on new market opportunities.
- Deep understanding of higher education trends, emerging technologies (e.g., AI, adaptive learning), and skills-based education, ideally within the global markets in Asia and Latam.
- Experience in building and leading innovation teams, including working in agile and lean innovation environments.
- Strategic thinker with exceptional ability to translate insights into actionable business strategies.
- Excellent communication and influencing skills, with the ability to engage senior leadership and external partners.
What You’ll Get:
- A unique opportunity to shape the future of International Higher Education through cutting-edge innovation.
- Access to resources, technology, and partnerships to drive real-world impact.
- A collaborative and supportive environment that fosters creativity, experimentation, and bold thinking.
Ready to make an Impact? Apply now and help shape the future of learning.
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.
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 TalentExperienceGlobalTeam@grp.pearson.com.
Senior Principal, Product Management employer: Pearson
Contact Detail:
Pearson Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Principal, Product Management
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your industry, especially those at Pearson or similar companies. Attend events, webinars, and meetups to make connections that could lead to job opportunities.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio or a personal website showcasing your past projects and achievements. This is a great way to demonstrate your expertise in product management and innovation.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching Pearson’s current products and innovations. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their goals, especially in the context of international higher education.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Principal, Product Management
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in product management and innovation. We want to see how your skills align with our mission at Pearson, especially in the context of higher education.
Showcase Your Impact: When detailing your past roles, focus on the impact you've made. Use specific examples that demonstrate your ability to lead product development and drive growth. We love seeing quantifiable results!
Be Authentic: Let your personality shine through in your application. We value creativity and bold thinking, so don’t be afraid to express your unique perspective on education and innovation.
Apply Through Our Website: For the best chance of success, make sure to apply directly through our website. This helps us keep track of your application and ensures you’re considered for the role you’re excited about!
How to prepare for a job interview at Pearson
✨Know Your Product Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into Pearson's current products and innovations in the higher education space. Understand their strengths, weaknesses, and how they align with emerging trends like AI and skills-based learning. This knowledge will help you demonstrate your strategic thinking and ability to drive product innovation.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Experience
Prepare specific examples from your past roles where you've successfully led cross-functional teams or driven product development. Highlight your experience in agile environments and how you've fostered collaboration to bring innovative solutions to market. This will showcase your fit for a leadership role in product management.
✨Engage with Market Insights
Be ready to discuss your understanding of the competitive landscape and emerging trends in higher education, particularly in markets like India and Brazil. Use data-driven insights to illustrate how you've identified unmet needs and shaped innovative solutions in your previous roles. This will show your proactive approach to market opportunities.
✨Communicate Your Vision
Articulate your vision for the future of higher education and how you would align Pearson's product strategy with that vision. Be prepared to discuss how you would engage with stakeholders and secure investment for high-potential opportunities. This will demonstrate your strategic mindset and ability to influence senior leadership.