Lead Specialist, Product Program Manager

Lead Specialist, Product Program Manager (AI)

Role Overview

The Lead Specialist Product Program Manager (AI) is responsible for leading cross‑functional teams to deliver highly complex, AI‑driven programs that bring AI technologies into production and are critical to business success. This role sits on Pearson’s 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 hands‑on 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, multi‑team programs. 

This role supports programs centered entirely on AI technologies in production, including machine learning systems, data platforms, AI‑enabled 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 AI‑powered capabilities across Pearson Virtual Schools. 

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and deliver mission‑critical, AI‑centric programs with significant technical complexity, cross‑portfolio dependencies, and organizational visibility, owning outcomes end‑to‑end 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 program‑level 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 cross‑team 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 cost‑effective and reliable delivery of AI initiatives. 

• Communicate program status, progress, risks, and trade‑offs clearly and concisely to senior stakeholders, enabling informed decision‑making 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

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent practical experience. 

• 8–12+ years of experience in Technical Program Management or equivalent roles, with significant experience delivering AI‑driven initiatives. 

• Experience working with machine learning platforms, data science teams, and AI‑first 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, cross‑functional programs in AI‑enabled or highly technical environments from concept through launch. 

• Strong experience operating in Agile environments and adapting delivery approaches to fit discovery‑driven work. 

• Exceptional communication, leadership, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to convey complex technical concepts to both technical and non‑technical audiences. 

• Strong problem‑solving, analytical, and decision‑making abilities. 

• Proven ability to lead by influence in matrixed organizations without direct authority. 

Preferred Qualifications

• Expert‑level proficiency in Agile, Scrum, Kanban, and hybrid delivery models. 

• Demonstrated ability to mentor peers and junior team members without formal people‑management responsibility. 

• Proficiency in coordinating go‑to‑market readiness, launch execution, or post‑launch operationalization for AI capabilities. 

• PMP, PgMP, SAFe, or other relevant certifications.