Senior Programme Leader: Transformation & Delivery

Pearson; Greater London, Hellaby, Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Pearson is seeking a Lead, Programme Management to oversee the national UK assessment programme, driving an integrated, evidence-led view of delivery across test cycle phases, remediation, mobilisation and service improvement.

Based in London, Hellaby or Manchester with hybrid work 1–2 days per week, the postholder chairs PMO and Programme Board, translates strategy into executable plans and reports progress and risks to Pearson executives and the STA client.

Qualifications

• Significant experience leading complex, high‑profile programmes with operational, technology, data, commercial and supplier dependencies.
• Qualified project or programme manager; PRINCE2 Practitioner, MSP or equivalent is preferred.
• Demonstrable experience of programme recovery, remediation or transformation in a regulated, contractual or government‑client environment.

Responsibilities

• Chair the Programme Board and provide concise executive status with evidence and actions.
• Own the integrated programme-management framework, master schedule and control standards across Test Cycle delivery and remediation.
• Lead mobilisation and delivery control of change initiatives, aligning milestones with contractual obligations.
• Coordinate internal alignment before client engagement to present a coherent Pearson position.
• Manage risks, issues, dependencies and decisions with clear ownership and cadence.
• Develop and sustain PMO capability and cross‑functional leadership across teams and suppliers.

Skills

Programme leadership

Stakeholder management

Governance

PMO

Regulated environment

Education

Degree or equivalent professional experience

Tools

Smartsheet

Jira

Job description

Pearson is seeking a Lead, Programme Management to oversee the national UK assessment programme, driving an integrated, evidence-led view of delivery across test cycle phases, remediation, mobilisation and service improvement.

Based in London, Hellaby or Manchester with hybrid work 1–2 days per week, the postholder chairs PMO and Programme Board, translates strategy into executable plans and reports progress and risks to Pearson executives and the STA client.