Job Description
Evaluation Systems of Pearson helps design and deploy educator workforce solutions, so every learner has capable educators. We offer dynamic educator credentialing and performance assessment solutions. We also provide a wide variety of products and services related to educator learning and assessment, including preparation products and products related to test development, administration, and scoring. We work in a collaborative environment and are passionate about education.
Reporting to the Director, Project Management, the Project Manager and Procurement Specialist is a member of the Assessment Operations Group, which is a Project Management Organization that directly supports our state programs. You will be responsible for two sets of essential activities. The first will be to provide project management support across departments and functional areas. This role ensures delivery of high-quality assessment program deliverables within contracted timelines and budget. You will conceptualize and articulate for others all components and dependencies of a complex project. A specific project management area of focus will be project management of Evaluation Systems’ bid proposal process in response to state education agency requests for proposals.
The second is to evaluate Evaluation Systems’ vendor management processes and spend and recommend and implement corresponding enhancements to ultimately improve processes and drive cost savings. Working under the direction of the Director, Project Management and collaborating directly with Evaluation Systems’ Vice President, Business Operations, this position works closely with Evaluation Systems’ Leadership Team and functional area leaders to refine the vendor management process and streamline vendor spend. These responsibilities will also involve collaboration with other business units, engaging in comparable activities in order to identify and implement interunit collaboration opportunities. The performance of the Project Manager and Procurement Specialist will be measured using high-level KPIs determined as part vendor management improvement process.
This role will serve in a remote format. Occasional travel required.
Job Responsibilities
Project Management responsibilities include:
- Work with internal staff to develop processes, procedures, and schedules for meeting project deliverables and client needs.
- Conceptualize and articulate the components and dependencies of complex projects to others.
- Work with the relevant staff to ensure plans are viable, roles and responsibilities are clearly defined, and clear lines of communication are established.
- Establish, schedule, and facilitate program meetings.
- Develop, maintain, and communicate a master schedule of contract deliverables.
- Adjust current processes, when appropriate, to improve the delivery, coordination, or quality of contract deliverables.
- Manage scope changes so impacts to contracts, budgets, activities, and schedules are documented and communicated to senior leadership.
- Coordinate with functional teams to ensure workflows and handoffs are efficient and effective.
- Provide internal and external program leadership with regular program status updates.
- Provide project management support for Evaluation Systems bid proposals in response to state education agency and other stakeholders’ requests for proposals (RFPs).
- Provide writing support for Evaluation Systems bid proposals, as needed.
Vendor Management responsibilities include:
- Work with Vice president of Business Operations and functional area leaders to develop, implement, and execute vendor contracts.
- Lead organizational activities associated with vendor management payment processing and budget monitoring.
- Infuse project management principles into overall procurement strategy and vendor management.
- Collaborate with the Leadership Team and functional area leaders to identify areas for vendor spend cost savings, including determining potential for combining areas of common scope completed by disparate vendors.
- Enhance vendor management onboarding review process and current infrastructure for vendor spend and budget tracking, building on systems and software already available.
- Lead quarterly vendor quality and spend reviews with Leadership Team.
- Participate in quarterly reviews of vendor quality analyses for vendors associated with greatest spend and/or most impactful scope, i.e., Quality Business Reviews (QBRs).
- Collaborate with Pearson Supplier Diversity Team to identify and review diverse suppliers (e.g., minority- , woman-, disabled veteran owned businesses).
- Lead activities associated with including vendors (including diverse suppliers) in Evaluation Systems’ bid proposals, as applicable.
Required Experience and Job Qualifications
- Five or more years of project management experience, including responsibility for managing multiple projects simultaneously
- Experience working with senior-level external clients
- Bachelor’s degree is required, Master’s/advanced degree is preferred
- PMP certification is preferred
Desired Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Ability to apply project management best practices to communications, planning, quality, and risk and issue management
- Excellent interpersonal, collaborative and communication skills; demonstrated ability to establish positive working relationships at all levels of the organization, including the ability to work effectively within a remote team and across departments
- Strong attention to detail, organizational, and time management skills, with the ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced environment
- Advanced knowledge of project management principles and related tools, such as Smartsheet, MS Project, MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Ability to travel 10%
- Experience in higher education environment a plus
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 Colorado, California, Washington State, New York State and New York City laws, the pay range for this position is as follows:
The full-time salary range is between $62,000 – $66,000.
This position is eligible to participate in an annual incentive program, and information on benefits offered is here.
About Us
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 also 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 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 creating a workplace where talent can learn, grow and thrive.
Pearson is an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer and a member of E-Verify. All employment is decided 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.
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