Lead Specialist, Project Manager (AI R&D)

Pearson; Poznań; On-site; PLN 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

Pearson in Poznań is seeking a Lead Specialist, Project Manager to drive AI C4E initiatives within OCTO. You will lead cross‑functional teams to plan and deliver complex AI R&D projects, turning concepts into working demos while coordinating BAU operations for the AI R&D unit.

You will mentor others on delivery practice, manage risks, and partner with product managers, researchers, engineers, and business stakeholders to shape impactful AI initiatives for learning.

Qualifications

• Significant experience leading complex technical or R&D projects.
• Ability to translate AI research into actionable programs.
• Strong communication with senior stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead AI R&D project delivery including PoCs and prototypes.
• Coordinate planning and delivery of AI R&D projects with timelines, dependencies, resources.
• Oversee BAU coordination of the AI R&D unit, ensuring rhythm and reporting cadence.
• Collaborate with product managers, designers, researchers, engineers, and stakeholders.
• Identify risks, manage backlogs, and communicate progress clearly.

Skills

Delivery leadership

AI/ML concepts

Cross-functional collaboration

Stakeholder management

Tools

Jira

Jira Product Discovery

Job description

Lead Specialist, Project Manager

Career Architecture Tier: E30 (Expert Individual Contributor)

Location: Poznan, Poland (Hybrid)

Role Qualifier: AI R&D

Drive the future of AI Transformation at Pearson as part of the AI Centre for Enablement team (AI C4E). Inspire innovation. Empower learning.

Pearson, the world’s leading learning company, is hiring a Lead Specialist, Project Manager for our Office of Chief Technology Officer (OCTO) to play a key role in AI C4E team at Pearson.

Why This Role Matters

Are you passionate about shaping the future of AI in enterprise environments? Do you thrive at the intersection of strategy, technology, and transformation? Join our AI Center for Enablement (C4E) and be part of a mission-driven team that’s driving the impactful AI innovation across the organization.

This is more than a job—it’s a chance to lead the AI movement, influence enterprise-wide decisions, and empower teams to unlock the full potential of artificial intelligence.

In this key position, you will help turn Pearson’s AI C4E strategy into well-run research and technical initiatives. The role carries a dual remit: leading the delivery of complex, cross-cutting AI R&D projects and workstreams, and coordinating the day-to-day, business-as-usual (BAU) operations of the AI R&D unit so it runs smoothly and predictably. As a recognised delivery expert, you will set the standard for how the team plans and delivers, work with a high degree of autonomy, and mentor others on best practice. You will plan and coordinate hands‑on investigations into emerging AI techniques, keep experimental systems and tools on track, and make sure AI‑first explorations translate into clear outcomes that inform future product directions. By partnering with stakeholders across Pearson and combining your delivery expertise, organisational rigor, and strategic thinking, you will help shape a forward-looking AI ecosystem that supports innovation in learning and helps people realise the lives they imagine through learning.

As a key member at OCTO AI C4E and Pearson, you will be expected to embody, and role model our leadership dimensions:

Live Our Purpose: You align your values, actions, and goals with Pearson’s mission. You inspire others by articulating a compelling vision, connecting daily work to our broader purpose, and making decisions that reflect a deep understanding of our strategy.

Simplify the Complexity: You navigate ambiguity and distil complexity into clear, actionable plans. You help teams understand how their work contributes to strategic goals, enabling focus, clarity, and effective execution in a dynamic environment.

Carry Our Culture: You foster a culture of customer centricity, high performance, and exceptional collaboration. You lead with integrity, empower others, and build inclusive, high-performing teams that reflect Pearson’s values and behaviours.

Deliver Results: You set ambitious goals and execute with quality, precision, and speed. You hold yourself and others accountable for outcomes, ensuring alignment with strategic priorities and delivering measurable impact for learners and stakeholders.

What You’ll Do

• Lead AI R&D Project Delivery
• Coordinate the planning and delivery of AI R&D projects – PoCs and prototypes that demonstrate the potential of emerging AI technologies in education.
• Turn conceptual ideas into structured, well‑scoped initiatives – managing timelines, dependencies, and resources so the team can move from concept to working demo at pace.
• Coordinate the AI R&D Unit (BAU)
• Own the business‑as‑usual (BAU) coordination of the AI R&D unit – keeping its operational rhythm, planning cycles, and reporting cadence running smoothly and predictably.
• Coordinate intake, capacity, and prioritisation across the unit’s ongoing work, keeping ways of working, tooling, and onboarding in good shape and surfacing risks early.
• Collaborate Across Boundaries
• Partner closely with product managers, designers, researchers, engineers, and business stakeholders to shape use cases, align on priorities, and validate feasibility.
• Facilitate conversations with non‑technical audiences, translating their needs into clear scope, and R&D results into business impact.
• Drive Delivery and Manage Risk
• Manage backlogs and roadmaps in Jira and Jira Product Discovery (JPD).
• Maintain a clear view of progress, risks, and trade‑offs, and keep stakeholders informed with concise, timely updates.

Who You Are

• An expert delivery leader who brings structure and momentum to ambiguous, fast‑moving R&D work and raises the bar for how the team delivers.
• AI‑literate – genuinely comfortable in technical AI/ML conversations and able to earn the trust of scientists and engineers.
• A collaborator who bridges the gap between technical and non‑technical teams.
• A curious enabler who’s passionate about helping teams push the boundaries of what AI can do.

What You Bring

• Significant experience leading complex technical, software, or R&D projects – often across multiple workstreams – ideally in AI/ML or innovation‑driven environments.
• Solid, hands‑on knowledge of AI/ML concepts – including GenAI, LLMs, and the model/ML lifecycle – enough to plan credibly, scope realistically, and challenge technical work with confidence. This is a core requirement, not a nice‑to‑have.
• Strong command of project/programme management methods (Agile/Scrum, Kanban, or equivalent) and the supporting tools – in particular Jira and Jira Product Discovery (JPD).
• Experience coordinating business‑as‑usual operations of a team or unit – planning cadences, reporting, capacity, and ways of working – alongside project delivery.
• Excellent communication skills, comfort influencing senior cross‑functional stakeholders, and a track record of mentoring others on delivery practice.

What You’ll Gain

• A front‑row seat to enterprise AI transformation.
• Opportunities to influence strategy and accelerate product innovation.
• A collaborative, inclusive, and innovation‑driven culture.
• Access to cutting‑edge tools, platforms, and thought leadership.

Why Pearson

At Pearson, we don’t just build careers—we accelerate them. Known for our strong culture of internal mobility and leadership development, we offer a clear path to broader strategic and executive roles. This position provides visibility into the Chief Technology Office, with direct engagement with the CTO and the Technology Leadership Team—giving you a seat at the table where decisions shape the future.

We believe great work deserves great rewards. That’s why we offer some of the most competitive benefits in the industry—designed to support the diverse needs of our people and their families. Explore our Benefits.

At Pearson, we’re reimagining learning through technology. If you’re a tech visionary who thrives in complexity, leads with purpose, and is excited by the challenge of enabling AI at scale to drive real‑world impact – we’d love to hear from you.

Apply today and imagine the impact you can make.

Who we are

At Pearson, our purpose is simple: to help people realise 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 [e-mail].