Lead Specialist, Product Program Manager (AI)

Role Overview

The Lead Specialist Product Program Manager (AI) is responsible for leading crossfunctional teams to deliver highly complex, AIdriven programs that bring AI technologies into production and are critical to business success. This role sits on Pearsons Expert track and requires deep technical and domain expertise, exceptional execution skills, and the ability to independently drive significant initiatives from concept through delivery.

The individual in this role will be trusted to deliver outcomes across large, interdependent AI programs, serve as a technical advisor to peers and leaders, and mentor other program managers, while remaining handson in execution rather than people management. This role partners closely with Product Managers and other leaders to ensure AI product and platform initiatives are effectively planned, orchestrated, and delivered, owning execution across complex, multiteam programs.

This role supports programs centered entirely on AI technologies in production, including machine learning systems, data platforms, AIenabled student and teacher experiences, and responsible AI practices. Programs may include initiatives such as the AI Teacher Assistant, AI Student Tutor, and foundational AI platforms that enable AIpowered capabilities across Pearson Virtual Schools.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and deliver missioncritical, AIcentric programs with significant technical complexity, crossportfolio dependencies, and organizational visibility, owning outcomes endtoend from planning through execution.
• Develop, maintain, and execute integrated program plans that translate AI product and platform strategy into clear milestones, timelines, and success metrics across research, development, deployment, and operationalization.
• Drive execution across multiple, interdependent workstreams, ensuring timely delivery, quality outcomes, and alignment with business objectives in highly ambiguous environments.
• Identify, assess, and mitigate programlevel risks and issues related to AI development, including data readiness, model performance, integration challenges, scalability, compliance, and ethical considerations.
• Serve as the primary point of accountability for AI program outcomes, proactively removing blockers and facilitating effective crossteam collaboration to manage dependencies.
• Act as the program management authority for AI programs, demonstrating fluency in AI/ML lifecycles (including experimentation, model iteration, and production support) and partnering closely with engineering, data science, product, learning science, security, legal, and operations teams.
• Support discovery and delivery alignment by ensuring experimentation, validation, and iteration are reflected appropriately in program plans and timelines.
• Apply appropriate Agile, Scrum, Kanban, and hybrid delivery methodologies to AI initiatives where experimentation, iteration, and discovery are core to success.
• Manage program budgets, resources, and external vendors as needed to ensure costeffective and reliable delivery of AI initiatives.
• Communicate program status, progress, risks, and tradeoffs clearly and concisely to senior stakeholders, enabling informed decisionmaking and alignment.
• Influence without authority across organizations to align teams with differing priorities around shared AI program goals.
• Mentor and coach Technical/Product Program Managers, and contribute to the continuous improvement of AI program management standards, best practices, tools, and reporting mechanisms across the organization.

Qualifications

• Bachelors degree or equivalent practical experience.
• 812+ years of experience in Technical Program Management or equivalent roles, with significant experience delivering AIdriven initiatives.
• Experience working with machine learning platforms, data science teams, and AIfirst product organizations.
• Familiarity with Responsible AI principles, data privacy requirements, and ethical AI delivery practices.
• Strong technical background with deep understanding of AI/ML concepts, including experimentation, data platforms, model lifecycle considerations, and production readiness.
• Demonstrated success delivering complex, crossfunctional programs in AIenabled or highly technical environments from concept through launch.
• Strong experience operating in Agile environments and adapting delivery approaches to fit discoverydriven work.
• Exceptional communication, leadership, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to convey complex technical concepts to both technical and nontechnical audiences.
• Strong problemsolving, analytical, and decisionmaking abilities.
• Proven ability to lead by influence in matrixed organizations without direct authority.

Preferred Qualifications

• Expertlevel proficiency in Agile, Scrum, Kanban, and hybrid delivery models.
• Demonstrated ability to mentor peers and junior team members without formal peoplemanagement responsibility.
• Proficiency in coordinating gotomarket readiness, launch execution, or postlaunch operationalization for AI capabilities.
• PMP, PgMP, SAFe, or other relevant certifications.

Compensation at Pearson is influenced by a wide array of factors including but not limited to skill set, level of experience, and specific location. As required by the California, Colorado, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York State, New York City, Vermont, Washington State, and Washington DC laws, the pay range for this position is as follows:

The minimum full-time salary range is between $115,000 - $130,000.

This position is eligible to participate in an annual incentive program, and information on benefits offered is here.

Applications will be accepted through May 27th . This window may be extended depending on business needs.

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. To learn more: We are Pearson.

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.

Job: Product Management

Job Family: PRODUCT

Organization: Virtual Learning

Schedule: FULL\_TIME

Workplace Type: Remote

Req ID: 24320

\#location

Company Name: Pearson
Website: https://rr.jobsyn.org/F1CA6CFB329D4...
Company Description:

Please visit our employer showcase!