Role Title : Senior Principal, Product Management 

Description : This role aligns to industry level titles such as Senior Product Management Director.                                                                                                                                                                          

Location: London (Hybrid)

The Role

Role Overview:

Pearson is seeking a dynamic and visionary Director of Product to lead the discovery, exploration, innovation and execution of products for the International Higher Education business, with an initial emphasis on India and Brazil.  This newly established role is critical to future-proofing our business by identifying, incubating, and accelerating innovative solutions that drive growth in both core and adjacent markets.

What You'll Own

Innovation Strategy & Leadership

• Define and execute a product innovation strategy aligned with Pearson’s International Higher Education growth priorities, focusing on new market opportunities and future business models.

• Identify and explore emerging trends (e.g., AI, skills-based learning, digital and hybrid delivery) and assess their potential impact on higher education and workforce development in growth markets globally. 

Product Development & Experimentation

• Drive the end-to-end innovation process, from concept development to market validation and commercialization. Ideation, discovery, rapid prototyping, and validation of new product concepts in specific markets around the globe.

• Lead cross-functional teams to rapidly prototype, test, and iterate new products and services using agile methodologies.

• Build a robust innovation pipeline, prioritizing projects that have the potential to deliver significant business growth and learner impact.

Market & Customer Insights

• Partner with academic institutions, employers, and learners to uncover unmet needs and future skills demands.

• Use data-driven insights and customer feedback to shape innovative solutions that address pain points and anticipate future challenges.

• Monitor competitive landscapes and disruptive technologies to ensure Pearson stays ahead of industry shifts.

Stakeholder Engagement & Collaboration

• Collaborate with business, product, technology, marketing, and sales teams to scale validated innovations and bring them to market.

• Cultivate strategic partnerships with startups, Big Tech, universities, and industry bodies to accelerate innovation efforts.

• Engage with executive leadership to advocate for innovation initiatives and secure investment in high-potential opportunities.

About You

• Proven track record (10+ years) of leading innovation, discovery and new product development, ideally within education, edtech, or digital learning.

• Strong entrepreneurial mindset, with the ability to identify and capitalize on new market opportunities.

• Deep understanding of higher education trends, emerging technologies (e.g., AI, adaptive learning), and skills-based education, ideally within the global markets in Asia and Latam. 

• Experience in building and leading innovation teams, including working in agile and lean innovation environments.

• Strategic thinker with exceptional ability to translate insights into actionable business strategies.

• Excellent communication and influencing skills, with the ability to engage senior leadership and external partners.

What You'll Get

• A unique opportunity to shape the future of International Higher Education through cutting-edge innovation.

• Access to resources, technology, and partnerships to drive real-world impact.

• A collaborative and supportive environment that fosters creativity, experimentation, and bold thinking.

Ready to make an Impact?

Apply now and help shape the future of learning.