Advanced Specialist, Agile Business Analyst

Pearson
London, United Kingdom
On-siteCareer-pivot friendly

Who this role is best for

Aimed at senior business analysts with agile and transformation experience who thrive in cross-functional, matrix management settings.

Best fit for

  • Candidates with 5+ years of agile business analysis and transformation project delivery experience
    — “Typically requires 5+ years of progressive experience in business analysis, including experience working in agile and matrix management environments and delivering transformation projects.”
  • Individuals with a strong background in mentoring and fostering team development
    — “Mentor and coach junior Business Analysts, providing guidance, feedback, and support for their professional development.”
  • Professionals skilled in aligning stakeholder goals with technical solutions
    — “Collaborate with stakeholders and delivery teams in a matrix management environment to define, prioritize, and deliver solutions.”

Things to consider

  • Mandatory requirement to work within a matrix management structure may demand high adaptability and cross-team coordination
    — “you will work within a matrix management structure, collaborating with cross-functional teams”
  • Commitment to Pearson's Essential Behaviors is a non-negotiable part of the role
    — “Commitment to Pearson’s Essential Behaviors: Customer Centricity, Exceptional Collaboration for Value, Raising the Performance Bar, and Our Leaders Inspire.”

How to stand out

  • Highlight experience with cross-functional project delivery and stakeholder alignment in your resume
    — “Collaborate with stakeholders and delivery teams in a matrix management environment”
  • Emphasize your ability to translate complex business needs into actionable requirements
    — “Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, able to translate complex business needs into actionable requirements.”
  • Demonstrate agile delivery experience, especially in facilitating ceremonies like sprint planning
    — “Facilitate agile ceremonies (e.g., sprint planning, backlog refinement, reviews)”
  • Demonstrate how you've driven continuous improvement and knowledge sharing in past roles
    — “Champion continuous improvement and knowledge sharing within the business analysis community.”
Pace · Fast PacedCollaboration · HighAutonomy · MediumDecision Impact · Team

Derived from job-description analysis by Serendipath's career intelligence engine.

What success looks like

  • drive key transformation projects
  • mentor junior Business Analysts
Typical background
program managementbusiness analysis

Skills & requirements

Required

Requirements GatheringAgile MethodologiesFacilitating Agile CeremoniesMentoring Junior Business AnalystsAnalyzing Business ProcessesCommunication

Preferred

Cross-functional Collaboration

Stack & domain

Requirements GatheringAnalysisDocumentationFacilitating Agile CeremoniesMentoring Junior Business AnalystsAnalyzing Business ProcessesDesigning Scalable SolutionsLeadershipCommunicationProblem-solvingTeamworkCBAPAgile BAProgram ManagementAgile Methodologies

About the role

Original posting from Pearson

Advanced Specialist, Program Management

The Pearson Qualifications Transformation Programme is a multi-year initiative to reshape how we operate, innovate, and deliver value. More than a systems upgrade, it’s about building a future-ready organisation driven by agility, collaboration, and technology. Spanning all disciplines, the programme offers opportunities to influence strategy, lead impactful projects, and deliver meaningful change for customers and colleagues.

This high-profile, executive-sponsored programme brings together diverse talent to tackle complex challenges and set new standards of excellence. Whether your expertise is in technology, operations, finance, or change management, you’ll play a key role in shaping the future. The programme is organised across portfolios including Customer, Learner, Associate, Assessment Services, and Operations, and offers exceptional career development opportunities through exposure to senior leadership, cross-functional collaboration, and innovative projects.

Job Summary:

 As an Advanced Specialist, Program Management (Senior Agile Business Analyst) you will play a critical role in driving key transformation projects across Pearson Qualifications. Reporting to the Senior Business Change and Practice Lead, you will work within a matrix management structure, collaborating with cross-functional teams to deliver business value. You will be responsible for eliciting and analyzing requirements, facilitating agile ceremonies, and ensuring solutions meet stakeholder needs. Additionally, you will mentor junior Business Analysts, fostering their growth and supporting best practices in business analysis.

Key Responsibilities:

Lead requirements gathering, analysis, and documentation for transformation projects, ensuring alignment with business objectives and agile principles.Collaborate with stakeholders and delivery teams in a matrix management environment to define, prioritize, and deliver solutions.Facilitate agile ceremonies (e.g., sprint planning, backlog refinement, reviews) and support the adoption of agile practices across project teams.Mentor and coach junior Business Analysts, providing guidance, feedback, and support for their professional development.Analyze business processes, identify opportunities for improvement, and contribute to the design of scalable solutions.Ensure clear and effective communication of requirements, progress, and outcomes to stakeholders and leadership.Champion continuous improvement and knowledge sharing within the business analysis community.Required Skills and Competencies:

Advanced proficiency in business analysis techniques, agile methodologies, and requirements management.Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, able to translate complex business needs into actionable requirements.Excellent communication and influencing skills, building consensus and motivating cross-functional teams.High adaptability and resilience, thriving in dynamic, fast-paced settings.Stakeholder engagement and management, aligning contributors to shared goals.Data literacy, leveraging information to inform decisions and reporting.Commitment to Pearson’s Essential Behaviors: Customer Centricity, Exceptional Collaboration for Value, Raising the Performance Bar, and Our Leaders Inspire.Power Skills (Level of Expertise: Proficient – Level 3/4):

Adaptability (Proficient)Analytical Skills (Proficient)Business Acumen (Proficient)Change Leadership (Proficient)Communication Skills (Proficient)Influencing Skills (Proficient)Learning to Learn (Proficient)Agile Delivery (Proficient)Stakeholder Engagement & Management (Proficient)Governance (Proficient)Behavioral Expectations:

Demonstrate Customer Centricity by connecting analysis outcomes to stakeholder value.Raise the Performance Bar by setting high standards and fostering accountability.Drive Exceptional Collaboration for Value by aligning teams and stakeholders to deliver shared goals.Inspire as a Leader by mentoring junior analysts and supporting team development.Qualifications (Education & Experience):

Typically requires 5+ years of progressive experience in business analysis, including experience working in agile and matrix management environments and delivering transformation projects.Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience; relevant certifications (e.g., CBAP, Agile BA, Scrum) preferred.

Source: Pearson careers

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