Summary:

As a Senior Software Project Manager, you will generally lead project teams that are focused primarily on one product area. Additionally, this role might support other Project Managers or Product Engineering Managers in larger project efforts or maintenance activities. In this role you will manage and control IT projects in all project-related interfaces: planning, directing, and coordinating project activities with the ownership for successful completion of all project deliverables to the business within established financial, schedule, and quality objectives.

Additionally, you must proactively foster high team morale, mentor, coach, and train team members to learn and grow. You will also be expected to continually contribute to process improvement and goal activities.

Team:

You will join a high-performing, experienced team responsible for diverse areas such as finance, infrastructure, test center utilization, fulfillment, registration, and scheduling. This is a highly collaborative, stable team that knows the importance of fun, self-care and flexibility while working on a variety of complex and challenging projects with a passion for excellence, innovation, and pride in producing excellent user experiences.

LOCATION: Minnesota, working remote with ability to go into Bloomington office on occasion.

You will do this by contributing to the following breakdown of general responsibilities:

Manage project initiation and planning phases

• Establish, document, and manage project scope

• Define and prioritize project tasks; establish project goals, requirements, and desired results

• Create, manage, and update project schedules and timeline

• Establish project charter, facilitate review with project steering committee, key stakeholders and project team, and gain charter sign-off

• Review requirements and specifications for work

• Participate in identifying and recruiting project personnel

• Identify and assign duties, responsibilities, and scope of authority to project team personnel

Manage project execution, controlling, and closing phases

• Establish schedules and project parameters; develop procedures to accomplish project goals

• Identify and manage project risks

• Identify and manage project issues

• Coordinate the work across multiple projects with other project staff from various functional departments

• Gather and review status reports prepared by project personnel and modify as necessary

• Track the execution process to ensure that project team adheres to reporting requirements

• Facilitate project team meetings to discuss and review the work

• Act as focal point for project problem resolution and escalation

• Establish conditions for project closure and manage closure

Manage project quality delivery

• Ensure the software development quality provided and delivered meets that in the agreed plan

• Ensure that the team follows all formal and informal best practices in software development and other initiatives

Manage project change

• Identify changes from original project scope and conduct impact assessment

• Communicate with stakeholders and drive decision making process

• Obtain change request sign-offs, reset expectations as needed, and update plans and supporting project artifacts as needed

Manage project budget

• Establish, track, report, and update as needed on project budget, actual expenses, and forecasts of remaining expenses

• Work with software development group manager and accounting to assure project costs are allocated and reported properly

Reporting and Communication

• Prepare project reports for internal team members and stakeholders, management, clients or others

• Facilitate interactive sessions

• Deliver presentations as required

Relationship management

• Establish and maintain team member and project stakeholder relationships appropriately

• Establish and maintain client relationships appropriately

• Manage team member, stakeholder, and client expectations in software delivery

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent work experience (Master’s degree or related technical training and management training education or experience preferred)

• 8-10 years previous project management experience

• Agile Scrum project management experience required

• Experienced managing multiple projects simultaneously

• Proven track record of successfully leading multiple projects teams through the full software development lifecycle to deliver business goals and requirements

Desired Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills

• Excellent organizational and coordination skills

• Ability to deal effectively with change in a fast-paced environment

• Knowledge of software development life cycle (SDLC) processes

• Knowledge of project management methods and tools

• Excellent listening, oral, and written communications skills

• Leadership and team building skills

• Budgeting and forecasting skills

• Negotiation and conflict resolution skills

• Strong presentation skills

• Energetic motivator that excels at managing cross functional teams

License / Certifications

• PMI-ACP (PMI Agile Certified Practitioner)

• Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) Certification preferred

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 TalentExperienceGlobalTeam@grp.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: PROJECT/PROGRAMME MANAGEMENT

Organization: Assessment & Qualifications

Schedule: FULL_TIME

Workplace Type: Remote

Req ID: 15593