Pearson Looking For Senior Programme Manager at Noida Full Time

Department:

Programme Management

Reports to:

Director Business Development

Location:

Noida/Hybrid

Overview

Pearson is the world’s leading learning company, operating in 200 countries around the world, with more than 20,500 employees. We offer end-to-end solutions, enabling greater access to high-quality, affordable learning experiences. We are the global experts in learning.

We enable tens of millions of learners per year to maximize their success. Our purpose is to help everyone achieve their potential through learning.

Pearson VUE is a business within Pearson PLC and is the global leader in computer-based testing for information technology, academic, government and professional testing programs around the world. We develop the leading testing technologies that drive progress through essential credentials in virtually every industry. Pearson VUE provides a full suite of services from test development to data management and delivers exams through the world’s most comprehensive and secure network of 5,600 test centres in 188 countries and territories.

This position is responsible for the implementation and ongoing management of Pearson VUE India client engagements from an operational perspective, including (but not limited to) the implementation and management of client projects based on the Pearson VUE service offering. Typically, the Senior Programme Manager position will be managing one or more key, complex, sensitive and strategic client accreditation programmes and be fully responsible for the successful delivery of the accreditation programme’s examination services offered by Pearson VUE.

Managing, on behalf of Pearson VUE, client-facing projects ranging from commercial initiatives, procurements, contract mobilisations, and technical and operational implementations with large cross-functional teams.

The role involves capturing and clarifying client requirements, project planning, negotiating priorities, managing and coordinating contribution from 3 rd party vendors and suppliers, meeting company and client quality standards, and reporting both internally and to the client. This is a very hands-on broad role that requires project management and operational experience.

The successful candidate will have experience of managing high-value contracts and their performance along with delivering client-facing initiatives to strict timelines. In addition, the successful candidate will be an effective communicator, have proven senior stakeholder management skills, will lead by example, manage by exception, will be able to negotiate and influence, and demonstrate strong project management skills and best practices.

Career Framework

The post holder:

• Is an experienced professional working independently with minimal day-to-day supervision

• Will demonstrate expertise in their programme management role and how their position integrates within a wider group of stakeholders both internally and externally

• Will positively impact a range of project, operational and customer processes and act as a resource for colleagues with less experience

• Will identify risks and issues, propose solutions and communicate these appropriately

• Has developed knowledge within the project management discipline, is acknowledged as a specialist in the area, and will provide expertise to various stakeholders

• Is able to negotiate and influence / persuade appropriately

• Owns responsibility for delivering results through direct reports, or provides significant advice or direction to teammates and surrounding teams

• Communicates highly complex information to stakeholders in a way that can be easily understood

• Makes operational or complex decisions

• Leads through providing direction across the business and impacts achievement of substantial projects

• Recognises the impact of change on others and leads through positive behaviour and coaching

• Begins to develop relationships with senior leaders across the organisation

Key Responsibilities

• Client accreditation programme(s) – account and contract management responsibilities

• Building and maintaining relationships with both existing and future clients through regular communication

• Managing one or more contracts for the provision of computer-based testing services to clients and their learners / end users

• Overseeing the full agreement lifecycle and ensuring that Pearson VUE fulfil their obligations

• Adhere to contract management and change control processes defined by Pearson VUE and in accordance with the client agreement(s)

• Where contract variance / change control is required, ensure that a full impact assessment is conducted by the relevant parties and work with Business Development and Finance to agree commercials

• Ensure purchase orders and invoices are processed correctly and on time for assigned contracts

• Forecasting and working with test centre capacity management for planning computer-based testing events

• Where relevant, oversee and manage subcontractor performance and agreements

• Occasionally playing a contributing role during the procurement process – providing expertise and support for the sales effort and managing bid project activities as required

• Ensures that service issues for assigned contracts are identified at the earliest opportunity and that solutions are reviewed, communicated, and implemented

• Communicating and negotiating with clients to establish realistic timelines and deliverables within contract specifications

• Completing internal and external reporting duties on time for assigned contracts

• Establishing and maintaining account / contract documentation for internal and / or external use

• Develop excellent knowledge of each client’s accreditation programme and contract deliverables, able to measure performance against contract and any relevant key performance indicators

• Client accreditation programme(s) – project management responsibilities

• Lead assigned projects to deliver the agreed products and deliverables working within the constraints of the customer agreement

• Management of all aspects of delivery including risks, issues, quality, scope, cost and timeline

• Work with the Pearson VUE organisation to devise and agree the necessary project organisation structure

• Represent and lead the team at client-facing meetings – ensuring that the team follow-up on any agreed commitments

• Prepare and maintain the project plan using appropriate planning techniques

• Implement effective risk and issue management (inc. change management), identifying and communicating mitigation / resolution plans, implementing corrective action where necessary, and maintaining risk and issue registers

• Deliver agreed project reports

• Define a quality management strategy for the project and maintain a quality register

• Establish and maintain project controls to ensure the project adheres to agreed governance practices

• Manage stakeholder (internal and external) expectations

• Ensures that projects are formally closed, reviewed, and lessons learned are captured and actioned. Produces appropriate documentation to support these processes.

• All employees have a responsibility to co-operate in promoting and maintaining a safe and healthy working environment, and to take reasonable care of their own health and safety at work and that of all other staff that may be affected by their acts or omissions

• All employees are also responsible for supporting and implementing the company’s policies and procedures around the Health and Safety, Security, Quality and Business Continuity arrangements that apply in their role/work function.

Essential Experience & Qualifications

• Delivering the products, deliverables, and services for large-scale customers and contract mobilisations

• Track record of successfully delivering operational change and technology driven projects

• Contract management – managing the performance of complex agreements. Review, identify, and understand the party responsibilities / obligations. Manage contract change.

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience

• Have a recognised project management qualification – PMP certification is preferred

• Strong communication skills and ability to build good working relationships

• Experience of working with cross-functional teams and international teams

• Good knowledge of MS Project

• Experience in the identification, assessment and management of project / service risks

• Problem solving skills

• IT Literacy and understanding of technical/IT systems

• Exceptional listening and influencing skills to create and maintain successful business relationships

• Strong commercial sense and pragmatic approach

Working Arrangements

• Hybrid or remote working with travel to the Noida office

• Monday to Friday 09:00 to 17:30 hours, with a commitment to peak time requirement as may be required to fulfil project / global client needs.

Learning is the most powerful force for change in the world. More than 20,000 Pearson employees deliver our products and services in nearly 200 countries, all working towards a common purpose – to help everyone achieve their potential through learning. We do that by providing high quality, digital content and learning experiences, as well as assessments and qualifications that help people build their skills and grow with the world around them. We are the world’s leading learning company. Learn more at pearsonplc.com.

Job: PROJECT/PROGRAMME MANAGEMENT

Organization: Assessment & Qualifications

Schedule: FULL_TIME

Req ID: 9951