Assistant Product Manager (Operations)

Job Description Summary

At Pearson, we're committed to a world that's always learning and to our talented team who makes it all possible. From bringing lectures vividly to life to turning textbooks into laptop lessons, we are always re-examining the way people learn best, whether it's one child in our own backyard or an education community across the globe. We are bold thinkers and stand-out innovators who motivate each other to explore new frontiers in an environment that supports and inspires us to always be better. By pushing the boundaries of technology—and each other to surpass these boundaries—we create seeds of learning that become the catalyst for the world's innovations, personal and global, large and small.

The Assistant Product Manager will support a cross-functional team across multiple disciplines, business areas and geographies. This role will be responsible for a range of supporting tasks to enable Content Production and Operations to deliver high‐quality digital and print products to help people make measurable progress in their lives through learning. As well as ownership of specific tasks, there will be ad hoc projects to engage with and provide growth opportunities.

Job Duties

• Reports

• producing and circulating a range of standard reports for business areas in US, including responsibility for analysis and updating specific areas

• developing custom reports using internal systems in support of US business areas

• generating budget reports and analysing this data for different teams

• Product data

• ensuring complete and accurate product data is held in our systems

• updating key fields on request

• Smartsheet

• ensure project names are in line with standard naming convention and are stored in the correct location

• monitoring work in progress to ensure dates are current and using relevant functionality to notify relevant team members where updates are required

• ensuring new projects are linked to reports and dashboard

• Risks and issues log

• monitoring to ensure currency of information, following up with relevant team members where required

• Office systems

• centralising support resources to ensure consistent approach across teams

• establishing and sharing best practice

• updating process documentation as required

• engaging with user acceptance testing relating to new systems or improvements to existing systems

• point person for raising, monitoring, and escalating system support issues

• Project-related tasks, including:

• ordering archive files

• setting up standard folder structure for each Product Plan year

• uploading cover images

• assist in tracking large budget items to ensure no overspend occurs

• arranging distribution of advance and gratis copies of print titles

• liaising with vendors/suppliers to ensure invoices are submitted for the correct amount and in a timely manner

• onboarding and managing freelancer access to authoring systems

• lifecycle management of project folders

• updating information in frontlist planning document

• Problem-solving:

• ability to show initiative in diagnosing and resolving issues independently where appropriate

• ability to identify situations when additional support is needed and reach out to the relevant person for assistance

Skills and Personal Qualities

• Strong organizational skills, ensuring tasks are prioritized appropriately and completed on time across multiple areas of the business.

• Strong communication skills ensuring the appropriate method is used, the right tone is conveyed and the right people are included.

• Strong attention to detail.

• Flexible and adaptable in navigating roadblocks and creating innovative solutions - perseveres with determination and conviction.

• Able to work independently and effectively on tasks within remit of the role but also a team player who can establish and maintain good relationships in the wider business to ensure successful collaboration.

• A positive and enthusiastic outlook.

• Strong technical skills with the ability to pick up and explore new systems and contribute towards establishing and maintaining best practice.

• Exhibits curiosity and learning agility to improve both personally and to continuously improve processes.

• Behaves ethically and with integrity.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent required

• 6-8 years of work experience

• Experience and proficiency with standard Microsoft Office Applications (Outlook, Calendar, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, OneDrive, SharePoint)

What to expect from Pearson

Did you know Pearson is one of the 10 most innovative education companies of 2022?

At Pearson, we add life to a lifetime of learning so everyone can realize the life they imagine. We do this by creating vibrant and enriching learning experiences designed for real-life impact. We are on a journey to be 100 percent digital to meet the changing needs of the global population by developing a new strategy with ambitious targets. To deliver on our strategic vision, we have five business divisions that are the foundation for the long-term growth of the company: Assessment & Qualifications, Virtual Learning, English Language Learning, Workforce Skills and Higher Education. Alongside these, we have our corporate divisions: Digital & Technology, Finance, Global Corporate Marketing & Communications, Human Resources, Legal, Strategy and Direct to Consumer. Learn more at We are Pearson.

We value the power of an inclusive culture and also a strong sense of belonging. We promote a culture where differences are embraced, opportunities are accessible, consideration and respect are the norm and all individuals are supported in reaching their full potential. Through our talent, we believe that diversity, equity and inclusion make us a more innovative and vibrant place to work. People are at the center, and we are committed to building a workplace where talent can learn, grow and thrive.

Pearson is an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer and a member of E-Verify. We want a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives and skills. The more inclusive we are, the better our work will be. All employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit and business need. All 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 strive for a workforce that reflects the diversity of our communities.

To learn more about Pearson’s commitment to a diverse and inclusive workforce, navigate to: Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at Pearson.

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 ppsmhr@pearson.com.

Note that the information you provide will stay confidential and will be stored securely. It will not be seen by those involved in making decisions as part of the recruitment process.

Job: PRODUCT MANAGEMENT

Organization: Higher Education

Schedule: FULL_TIME

Req ID: 13300