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Principal Technology Product Manager – Data Foundation

Position Summary:

Pearson Virtual Schools (PVS) is seeking a **Principal Product Manager** to lead our **Data Foundation** program as a senior expert, serving as a key individual contributor. This role is for an experienced, high-impact professional with deep expertise and strategic influence. In this capacity, you will drive the vision and execution of a critical platform modernization initiative (Data Foundation) without direct reports, leading cross-functional teams by influence across engineering, architecture, data science, and design. You will blend strong technical acumen in data platforms and cloud architecture with top-tier product management skills to deliver forward-looking milestones on the program’s roadmap. The ideal candidate is also passionate about innovation in the software development lifecycle, leveraging generative AI and intelligent agents to enhance product development and user experiences. This is a remote-friendly role (with a preference for working hours that align with U.S. Eastern Time) and offers the opportunity to shape the future of PVS’s platform at a strategic level.

Responsibilities:

+ **Strategic Vision & Roadmaps:** Develop and own the **product strategy and multi-year roadmap** for the Data Foundation program, ensuring it aligns with PVS’s overall platform modernization goals. Clearly define phased milestones and outcomes, communicating a compelling vision to stakeholders and team members.

+ **Data Platform Leadership:** Lead the **Data Foundation program** to modernize PVS’s data architecture and infrastructure. This includes driving the implementation of a **unified, cloud-based data platform** (leveraging AWS or similar) that replaces legacy systems, establishes single sources of truth for key data domains, and provides scalable, real-time data access via APIs. Ensure data governance, privacy, and quality standards are built into the platform from the ground up.

+ **Cross-Functional Leadership:** Serve as the **product lead at the top of the SDLC** for this initiative – coordinate and inspire cross-functional teams of software engineers, architects, data scientists, UX/UI designers, and business stakeholders. Without direct managerial authority, exercise influence and thought leadership to drive decision-making, resolve conflicts, and keep everyone aligned on product objectives and timelines.

+ **Product Development Lifecycle Innovation:** Introduce and champion the use of **generative AI and agent-driven tools** in our product development process. For example, explore how AI can automate parts of requirements gathering, coding, testing, or analytics – improving development efficiency and product quality. Investigate opportunities to integrate generative AI into the products themselves (such as AI-driven insights or personalization within the PVS platform) in support of a cutting-edge user experience.

+ **Execution & Delivery:** Oversee the end-to-end execution of product initiatives, from concept through launch and iteration. Write clear product requirements (PRDs), define user stories and acceptance criteria in partnership with Agile teams, and maintain a well-groomed backlog for Data Foundation workstreams. Prioritize features by balancing strategic impact, user value, and development effort. Ensure on-time delivery of key roadmap milestones, adjusting plans as needed based on feedback and changing requirements.

+ **Stakeholder Engagement:** Collaborate closely with internal stakeholders – including other Product Vertical leaders, Program/Project Managers, and executives – to ensure the Data Foundation program meets the needs of various learning products and operational teams. Communicate program progress, challenges, and next steps through presentations and reports. Act as the **voice of the customer and the business** , ensuring that delivered capabilities drive tangible improvements in user experience, operational efficiency, and platform capabilities.

+ **Technical Depth & Decision-Making:** Use your strong technical background to make informed product decisions. Understand the complexities of cloud data pipelines, database technologies, and modern data architectures well enough to trade off approaches with architects and engineers. Ensure that architectural choices serve the product vision (e.g., selecting appropriate AWS services, designing for scalability and resilience, aligning data models with industry standards like Ed-Fi for education data).

+ **Innovation & Continuous Improvement:** Stay abreast of industry trends in **data platforms, analytics, and AI/ML** . Identify opportunities to incorporate new technologies or practices (for example, event-driven data architectures, graph databases for relationship data, or advanced analytics/ML on our educational data). Foster a culture of innovation and experimentation within the team – for instance, pilot an “AI agent” that can assist with monitoring data quality – and scale successful experiments into full features.

+ **Measurement & Accountability:** Define key performance indicators (KPIs) and success metrics for the Data Foundation program. For example, metrics might include data availability/reliability, performance improvements, or adoption rates of new data APIs by other teams. Track these outcomes and use data to inform product decisions and demonstrate program value.

+ **Mentoring and Leadership (Individual Contributor Role):** Although this role does not have direct reports, you are expected to mentor and guide junior product managers and product owners within the team, sharing your expertise across the product management organization. Act as an expert consultant for other product teams in your areas of ownership. Help foster best practices in product management, especially in areas like technical product management and AI adoption within the SDLC.

Required Qualifications:

+ **Experience:** 10+ years of **product management** experience, with a significant portion in **platform or technical product management** roles. Proven track record driving large-scale initiatives end-to-end – ideally including data platform or infrastructure projects. _(Experience with identity and access management products is a plus but not required.)_ Experience should demonstrate increasing responsibility and leadership influence (principal or lead PM level).

+ **Domain Expertise:** Strong knowledge of **data architecture and management** . Familiarity with databases (relational and NoSQL), data warehousing or lakehouse concepts, ETL/ELT pipelines, and data governance best practices. Understanding of data privacy regulations and practices for handling sensitive information is important (education data experience is a plus).

+ **Technical Acumen:** Comfortable discussing and understanding complex technical designs with architects and engineers. Hands-on experience with **cloud platforms** (AWS preferred) and modern software architecture (microservices, APIs, event-driven systems). Ability to grasp AI/ML concepts and their application in products – you don’t need to be a data scientist, but you should understand how AI technologies (e.g., large language models, recommendation systems) can be applied to solve product problems.

+ **Leadership & Collaboration:** Exceptional **cross-functional leadership** skills. Able to lead by influence and inspire teams that do not report to you directly. Excellent communication and stakeholder management abilities – can distill complex ideas into clear proposals and status updates for both technical teams and executive leadership. Experience working in an Agile/Scrum development environment, collaborating closely with engineering on user story definition, backlog prioritization, and sprint planning.

+ **Innovation Mindset:** Demonstrated interest or experience in **cutting-edge technologies** , especially **generative AI, automation, and intelligent agents** . A track record of driving innovation – whether launching a new data-driven feature, improving a process with technology, or implementing an AI-powered solution. Curiosity and a continuous learning attitude are a must.

Preferred Qualifications:

+ **EdTech and Data Standards:** Experience in the **education technology** domain or other highly data-driven industries. Familiarity with education data standards (e.g., Ed-Fi, LTI) or student information systems is a strong plus. Understanding the nuances of K-12 school operations, online learning platforms, or similar can help inform better product decisions in PVS’s context.

+ **AI/ML Projects:** Direct experience working with **AI/ML** product features or incorporating AI into a product management process. For example, having managed a product that included an AI component (like a recommendation engine or predictive analytics dashboard), or having used AI tools to analyze market/user data.

+ **Cloud & Security Certifications:** Relevant certifications such as AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner/Architect or Certified Product Manager. Any security or data privacy certifications (CIPP, CISSP, etc.) indicating a deeper understanding of protecting data and users is appreciated given the sensitive nature of student data and platform security.

+ **Leadership in Matrix Organizations:** Experience in a large-scale **matrix organization** where you have driven initiatives across multiple teams or departments. Demonstrated ability to influence senior leadership and align competing priorities in a complex organizational setting.

+ **Advanced Education:** Master’s degree in Business Administration, Information Systems, or a related field. An MBA can be helpful for the strategic and business aspects of this role, and a technical master’s can deepen your ability to engage with architectural and data science topics.

Work Environment:

+ **Location:** This role is open to remote candidates and offers flexibility in work location. **Preferred working hours are aligned with U.S. Eastern Time (EDT)** to ensure overlap with key team members and stakeholders. Occasional travel may be needed for team on-sites or stakeholder meetings (estimate <5%).

+ **Cross-Functional Collaboration:** You will work in a highly collaborative environment, interfacing with diverse teams across PVS and Pearson. Expect regular video conferences, virtual whiteboarding sessions, and the use of collaboration tools to drive work forward in a distributed team. Strong self-management and virtual communication skills will set you up for success.

+ **Culture:** Pearson Virtual Schools fosters an innovative, inclusive culture. As a senior expert, you’ll have autonomy to shape product direction while being supported by a network of talented colleagues. We value **continuous improvement, bold thinking, and customer obsession** . You’ll be encouraged to experiment with new ideas (like your visions for AI in the SDLC) in a safe-to-fail environment as we collectively strive to improve online education.

If you’re excited about **building the data backbone** of a next-generation online learning platform and you thrive at the intersection of technology innovation and product strategy, we encourage you to apply. Join us in transforming learning through cutting-edge platforms and **be a key architect of PVS’s future!**

Compensation at Pearson is influenced by a wide array of factors including but not limited to skill set, level of experience, and specific location. As required by the California, Colorado, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York State, New York City, Vermont, Washington State, and Washington DC laws, the pay range for this position is as follows:

The minimum full-time salary range is between $155,000 - $195,000.

This position is eligible to participate in an annual incentive program, and information on benefits offered is here.

_Applications will be accepted through November 3rd, 2025. This window may be extended depending on business needs._

Who we are:

At Pearson, our purpose is simple: to help people realize the life they imagine through learning. We believe that every learning opportunity is a chance for a personal breakthrough. We are the world's lifelong learning company. For us, learning isn't just what we do. It's who we are. To learn more: We are Pearson.

Pearson is an Equal Opportunity Employer and a member of E-Verify. Employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit and business need. 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 actively seek qualified candidates who are protected veterans and individuals with disabilities as defined under VEVRAA and Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act.

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 [email protected].

**Job:** Product Management

**Job Family:** PRODUCT

**Organization:** Virtual Learning

**Schedule:** FULL\_TIME

**Workplace Type:** Hybrid

**Req ID:** 21429