Specialist, Product Program Manager

Specialist, Product Program Manager, School IT Services Description: This role aligns to Industry Level Titles such as Technical Project Manager. The Technical Product Program Manager (TPM), School IT Services is responsible for leading cross-functional program execution to deliver complex, high-impact technology services that support K–12 virtual and blended school operations. Sitting within the Product Delivery team, this role provides the delivery role of a “4-in-the-box” (4IAB) product model alongside the Product Manager, the Lead of School IT Services, and a Go-to-Market (GTM) partner—together driving the strategy, definition, delivery, and adoption of School IT Services capabilities. The TPM is accountable for translating the School IT Services roadmap into executable program plans; coordinating engineering, IT operations, security, communication, and go-to-market teams; managing risk and dependencies; and ensuring releases land smoothly against the rhythms of the K–12 school year (August–June). Key Responsibilities Lead and manage multiple technical projects across the School IT Services portfolio, ensuring timely, high-quality delivery aligned to school-calendar windows (start-of-year readiness, mid-year transitions, spring testing, and year-end transition). Develop comprehensive project plans, including scope, schedule, resources, risks, dependencies, and milestones; partner with the Lead of School IT Services and Product Manager to translate roadmap into executable delivery plans. Identify and mitigate program risks, resolve issues, and surface tradeoffs to stakeholders to keep delivery on track. Ensure alignment of program and project goals with broader business objectives and strategic priorities. Cross-Functional Coordination Operate as the project management partner in the School IT Services 4-in-the-box pod (TPM, Product Manager, Lead of School IT Services, and GTM), driving operating cadence, decision-making, and accountability across the four functions. Collaborate with engineering, IT operations, security, service delivery, and customer success teams to align on requirements, capacity, dependencies, and release windows. Foster cross-team collaboration, open communication, and knowledge sharing to address dependencies and improve overall delivery efficiency. Support the management of external vendors as needed to ensure their contributions align with program goals, timelines, and quality standards. Stakeholder Communication & Change Management Communicate program status, progress, risks, and outcomes to stakeholders—including senior leadership, school leaders, and internal cross-functional partners in a clear and concise manner. Partner with the Lead of School IT Services, Product Manager, and GTM to support release readiness, including launch communications, training enablement, and adoption tracking, so changes land well in schools. Establish and maintain feedback loops with schools and internal partners that feed continuous improvement. Facilitate effective team collaboration and communication, fostering a culture of transparency and accountability. Process & Operating Rhythm Drive continuous improvement in project management processes, intake, prioritization, and delivery methodologies. Establish and maintain the 4IAB operating cadence. Maintain delivery artifacts (project plans, risk log, dashboards, status reports) that provide a single source of truth across the 4IAB and for executive stakeholders. Qualifications Required 5+ years of experience as a Technical Program Manager, Technical Project Manager, or similar role in a technology-driven environment. Demonstrated track record of successfully delivering complex, cross-functional programs on time and within budget. Strong project management skills, with proficiency in modern tools and methodologies (e.g., Agile, Scrum, Kanban). Exceptional communication, leadership, and interpersonal skills. Strong problem-solving, organizational, and analytical abilities. Ability to navigate and thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment with shifting priorities. Preferred Experience delivering IT services or IT service management (ITSM) programs, ideally in a K–12, EdTech, SaaS, or service-oriented environment. Familiarity with school operations and the rhythms of the K–12 school year (start-of-year readiness, testing windows, year-end transitions). Awareness of education compliance, privacy, and security requirements (e.g., FERPA, COPPA). Strong technical background with hands-on experience in software development, systems engineering, cloud technologies, or SDLC/DevOps practices. PMP, PgMP, or other relevant project/program management 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 $95,000 - $105,000. This position is eligible to participate in an annual incentive program, and information on benefits offered is here. Applications will be accepted through July 3rd. 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 View email address on click.appcast.io. #J-18808-Ljbffr Pearson