Advanced Specialist, Portfolio Management

Role Overview:
As an Advanced Specialist with Portfolio Management you will play a pivotal role in understanding market needs and challenges to develop impactful products and services within your portfolio. You will provide strategic editorial leadership by setting a vision collaborating with subject matter experts managing budgets incorporating market feedback and ensuring product efficacy. This role requires strong collaboration with teams across marketing sales production and operations.

You will drive the ongoing development of your portfolio supporting sales and marketing teams across your geography in identifying and prioritizing market opportunities addressing customer challenges and responding to competitive dynamics. Working closely with sales marketing and customer insights colleagues you will contribute to go-to-market plans for our products.

About the Team:
This is an exciting opportunity to be part of our International Higher Education Portfolio Management team. We are a collaborative and supportive group that values diverse perspectives and inclusive decision-making. Our mission is to partner with educators and institutions to develop world-class products and services that enhance learning experiences and outcomesboth today and in the future.

Key Responsibilities

Portfolio and List Management:

• Develop expertise in your portfolios discipline and market landscape.
• Maintain a balanced profitable and current portfolio that aligns with market needs.
• Build and nurture relationships with authors and subject matter experts.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Product Sales & Marketing and Strategy teams to create innovative products that improve learner outcomes.
• Stay informed about Pearsons digital courseware models and feature sets to enhance product offerings.

Market Research and Customer Insights:

• Lead and manage research initiatives to understand evolving educator and learner needs.
• Identify and assess key challenges for educators and learners ensuring that product development is aligned with real-world needs.
• Evaluate market opportunities by analyzing competitor offerings customer feedback and industry trends.
• Conduct problem-solution and product-market fit testing to refine offerings.

Strategy and Innovation:

• Develop a deep understanding of your geographys higher education landscape and its evolving challenges.
• Monitor and respond to industry trends customer feedback and opportunities for innovation.
• Use data-driven insights to inform product development and decision-making.
• Partner with sales teams to provide relevant market insights and support new business opportunities.

Go-to-Market and Customer Experience:

• Ensure a seamless and engaging customer experience for products in your portfolio.
• Lead market development initiatives for new digital products fostering an early adopter community.
• Partner with sales and marketing teams to develop and execute go-to-market strategies.
• Serve as a passionate advocate for your portfolio driving engagement internally and externally.

Required Skills Knowledge and Experience

• Strong understanding of product management principles and processes.
• Experience in education and learning with a preference for higher education.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and make informed decisions independently.
• Excellent organizational and analytical skills with the ability to prioritize effectively.
• Strong communication negotiation and presentation skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively within cross-functional teams in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficiency in market research methodologies such as surveys focus groups and data analysis.
• Experience in customer engagement community building and relationship management.
• Creative problem-solving skills and a strong sense of empathy for learners and educators
• Familiarity with digital content development and instructional design is an asset.