Lead Specialist, Project Manager – AI R&D

Pearson VUE

Lead Specialist, Project Manager steering AI projects at Pearson. Collaborate across teams to deliver R&D results and shape enterprise AI transformation.

Posted 7/8/2026full-timePoznan • 🇵🇱 PolandSeniorWebsite

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Lead AI R&D Project Delivery
Coordinate the planning and delivery of AI R&D projects - PoCs and prototypes that demonstrate the potential of emerging AI technologies in education.
Turn conceptual ideas into structured, well-scoped initiatives-managing timelines, dependencies, and resources so the team can move from concept to working demo at pace.
Own the business-as-usual (BAU) coordination of the AI R&D unit - keeping its operational rhythm, planning cycles, and reporting cadence running smoothly and predictably.
Coordinate intake, capacity, and prioritisation across the unit’s ongoing work, keeping ways of working, tooling, and onboarding in good shape and surfacing risks early.
Partner closely with product managers, designers, researchers, engineers, and business stakeholders to shape use cases, align on priorities, and validate feasibility.
Facilitate conversations with non-technical audiences, translating their needs into clear scope, and R&D results into business impact.
Manage backlogs and roadmaps in Jira and Jira Product Discovery (JPD).
Maintain a clear view of progress, risks, and trade-offs, and keep stakeholders informed with concise, timely updates.

Requirements

What you’ll need

Significant experience leading complex technical, software, or R&D projects—often across multiple workstreams - ideally in AI/ML or innovation-driven environments.
Solid, hands-on knowledge of AI/ML concepts - including GenAI, LLMs, and the model/ML lifecycle - enough to plan credibly, scope realistically, and challenge technical work with confidence. This is a core requirement, not a nice-to-have.
Strong command of project/programme management methods (Agile/Scrum, Kanban, or equivalent) and the supporting tools - in particular Jira and Jira Product Discovery (JPD).
Experience coordinating business-as-usual operations of a team or unit—planning cadences, reporting, capacity, and ways of working—alongside project delivery.
Excellent communication skills, comfort influencing senior cross-functional stakeholders, and a track record of mentoring others on delivery practice.

Benefits

Comp & perks

A front-row seat to enterprise AI transformation.
Opportunities to influence strategy and accelerate product innovation.
A collaborative, inclusive, and innovation-driven culture.
Access to cutting-edge tools, platforms, and thought leadership.

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills & Tools

AI/ML ConceptsProject ManagementR&D Project DeliveryBacklog ManagementRoadmap Development

Soft Skills

Excellent CommunicationInfluencing SkillsMentoring